Vigdís Grímsdóttir was born in Reykjavík on August 15th 1953. She graduated from the Iceland University of Education with a Teaching Diploma in 1973, received a BA-degree in Icelandic Studies and Library and Information Science from the University of Iceland in 1978, and a degree in Education from the Iceland University of Education in 1982. She was a candidate of Icelandic literature at the University of Iceland 1984-85. Grímsdóttir worked as an elementary- and college teacher in Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður until 1990 but has since then focused almost exclusively on writing.
Her first book, the short story collection Tíu myndir úr lífi þínu (Ten Pictures from Your Life), appeared in 1983 and since then she has published collections of poetry, another collection of short stories, and novels, including one children’s book. Vigdís has received various recognitions for her work and her books have been translated into other languages. Adaptations for theatre have been made of two of her novels and been performed both in Iceland and in Sweden. In 2004 a movie by Hilmar Oddsson, based on her novel Kaldaljós (Cold Light) premiered.
Vigdís Grímsdóttir was born in Reykjavík on August 15th 1953. She graduated from the Iceland University of Education with a Teaching Diploma in 1973, received a BA-degree in Icelandic Studies and Library and Information Science from the University of Iceland in 1978, and a degree in Education from the Iceland University of Education in 1982. She was a candidate of Icelandic literature at the University of Iceland 1984-85. Grímsdóttir worked as an elementary- and college teacher in Reykjavík and Hafnarfjörður until 1990 but has since then focused almost exclusively on writing.
Her first book, the short story collection Tíu myndir úr lífi þínu (Ten Pictures from Your Life), appeared in 1983 and since then she has published collections of poetry, another collection of short stories, and novels, including one children’s book. Vigdís has received various recognitions for her work and her books have been translated into other languages. Adaptations for theatre have been made of two of her novels and been performed both in Iceland and in Sweden. In 2004 a movie by Hilmar Oddsson, based on her novel Kaldaljós (Cold Light) premiered.
Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.
VideoMay 12 2026
Laurent Binet – Perspective(s) Q&A
Check out our Q&A with Laurent Binet, author of shortlisted title Perspective(s), as he discusses the inspirations behind his work and reflects on the role libraries have played in shaping his journey
VideoMay 8 2026
Ali Smith – Gliff Q&A
Shortlisted author Ali Smith discusses the creative inspirations behind Gliff and reflects on the significance of libraries throughout her reading and writing life in our latest Q&A.