Yo yo
2017 Longlist

Yo-yo

Translated from the original Icelandic by Rory McTurk
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

While examining the tumour of one of his patients, Martin Montag, a cancer specialist in Berlin, finds that its shape, resembling a yo-yo, brings back memories of a traumatic incident he suffered as a child. A drama of betrayal and friendship unfolds, intriguingly told by one of Iceland’s best-known contemporary writers.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Steinunn
Sigurðardóttir

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir is a highly acclaimed Icelandic novelist and poet. After working as a journalist and radio reporter she became a full-time writer in 1982. As one of the most frequently translated living Icelandic writers, she has contributed greatly to the international reputation of contemporary Icelandic literature. Steinunn Sigurðardóttir has served on the jury of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and as vice-chair of the Icelandic Writers’ Association.

Her novel Yo-yo was awarded the Icelandic Bookseller’s award and has been translated into German and French.

Steinunn Sigurðardóttir is a highly acclaimed Icelandic novelist and poet. After working as a journalist and radio reporter she became a full-time writer in 1982. As one of the most frequently translated living Icelandic writers, she has contributed greatly to the international reputation of contemporary Icelandic literature. Steinunn Sigurðardóttir has served on the jury of the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and as vice-chair of the Icelandic Writers’ Association.

Her novel Yo-yo was awarded the Icelandic Bookseller’s award and has been translated into German and French.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR Rory
McTurk

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

Yo-yo is a novel of duality and trauma. Sigurðardóttir expertly blends a very modern examination of trauma, where the past won’t stay past, with the gothic motif of the doppelganger, where the person won’t stay in person. In Sigurðardóttir’s confident storytelling, these become a way of looking at romantic, familial and friendly relationships affected by outside (and outsized) forces.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
12/03/2015
Country
Iceland
Original Language
Icelandic
Publisher
World Editions
Translator
Rory McTurk
Translation
Translated from the original Icelandic by Rory McTurk

RELATED FEATURES

News May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 23 2025

2025 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

2025 Dublin Literary Award Winner Ceremony live from the International Literature Festival Dublin.
Video May 23 2025

2019 Winner Emily Ruskovich

Dublin Literary Award Celebrating 30 Years Q&A
Video May 23 2025

2010 Winner Gerbrand Bakker

Dublin Literary Award Celebrating 30 Years Q&A

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.