Woman at 1,000 Degrees
ABOUT
THE BOOK
Herra Bjornsson is at the beginning of the end of her life. She has two weeks left, maybe three and has booked her cremation appointment, at a crispy 1,000 degrees, so it won’t take long. But until then she has her cigarettes, a World War II era weapon, some Facebook friends, and her memories to sustain her.
And what a life this remarkable eighty-year-old narrator has led. From Herra’s childhood in the remote islands of Iceland, where she was born the granddaughter of Iceland’s first president, to teen years spent living by her wits alone in war-torn Europe , to love affairs on several continents, Herra Bjornsson moved Zelig-like through the major events of the twentieth century.
Original Icelandic title, Konan við 1000°: Herbjörg María Björnsson segir frá (which translates literally to “The Woman at 1000°: Herbjörg María Björnsson Tells Her Story”) published by JPV (2011)
ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Brian
FitzGibbon
Brian FitzGibbon from Dublin currently resides in Iceland, where he works as a freelance writer and translator. Prior to moving to Iceland, he lived in Italy, working as a freelance translator for international organisations such as UNESCO. Much of his translation work is in the areas of stage plays, film scripts, and novels.
Brian FitzGibbon from Dublin currently resides in Iceland, where he works as a freelance writer and translator. Prior to moving to Iceland, he lived in Italy, working as a freelance translator for international organisations such as UNESCO. Much of his translation work is in the areas of stage plays, film scripts, and novels.
NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS
A gripping and hugely enjoyable read, with an unforgettable protagonist.