Bloodhoof is a compulsively modern recasting of the ancient Eddic poem Skirnimal - a minimalist epic telling of the abduction of Gerdur Gymisdottir from a land of giants and her eventual return from the court of Freyr with her beloved son. The journey is full of iron-hard rocks, ice and serpents, and fields of corn whispering in the breeze.

Bloodhoof is a story of "ghosts and long-dead heroes" - a game of thrones that will linger in the memory. Parallel-text verse in Icelandic and English.

Gerdur Kristny was born in Reykyavik in 1970. She has produced 18 books of fiction and non-fiction, as well as children's books and poetry. Her work recently featured in the anthology Best European Fiction 2012, and in the October 2011 issue of Words Without Borders. She has also been a Featured Poet in Eyewear magazine. Her numerous prizes include the Icelandic Literature Prize in 2010 for Bloodhoof.

Rory McTurk is Emeritus Professor of Icelandic Studies at the University of Leeds, and the editor of the Blackwell's Companion to Old Norse-Icelandic Literature and Culture (2007).

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About the Author
Gerour Kristny is a phenomenally energetic Icelandic writer, having produced 18 books of fiction and non-fiction prose, as well as children's books and poetry, in the 16 years since the appearance of her first. She has won numerous prizes and awards, from the Icelandic Journalism Award in 2005 to the Icelandic Literature Prize in 2010 for Bloodhoof. She says she chooses each word of her poetry carefully so rarely needs to revise - it certainly shows in this volume.

Reviews
The conveying of a poet into another language can be talked through in various ways. Stefan Tobler's preface caught hold of me by its enthusiasm, pleasure in the work, and that he cares. In contrast, David Treece's introduction had me bored by the first page. It's the difference - or is here - between the worker on the text and the standing apart academic. The translator's practical invitation and his conveying the pleasure of the task is, so far as I can tell, brought to fruition in his translations. Keith Richmond, The Tribune 2013
The conveying of a poet into another language can be talked through in various ways. Stefan Tobler's preface caught hold of me by its enthusiasm, pleasure in the work, and that he cares. In contrast, David Treece's introduction had me bored by the first page. It's the difference - or is here - between the worker on the text and the standing apart academic. The translator's practical invitation and his conveying the pleasure of the task is, so far as I can tell, brought to fruition in his translations. Keith Richmond The Tribune 2013



Book Information
ISBN 9781908376107
Author Gerdur Kristny
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Arc Publications
Publisher Arc Publications
Weight(grams) 200g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 138mm * 8mm