The Atom Station

Infobox Book
name = The Atom Station
title_orig = Atómstöðin
translator = Magnus Magnusson
author = Halldór Laxness
country = Iceland
language = Icelandic
genre = Novel
publisher = Helgafell, Reykjavik
release_date = 1948
english_release_date = 1961
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 180 pp (2004 edition, Vintage)
isbn = ISBN 0 09 945515 3 (2004 edition, Vintage)

The Atom Station (Icelandic: "Atómstöðin") is a novel by Icelandic author Halldór Laxness, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1955.

Background

“The Atom Station”, written in 1946 and 1947, was published in 1948. The historical background of the novel is comprised of the British Occupation of Iceland during World War 2 in 1940, which was later taken over by the Americans in 1941. Many viewed Iceland’s independence as threatened due to the United States’ request to establish a military base in Keflavík for 99 years (in 1946). However, the Icelandic Parliament (the Althing) eventually agreed to the request and concluded the Keflavík Contract. Laxness was critical of the fact that Icelandic jurisdiction was not applicable to the area within the military base. But above all, he saw a threat to Icelandic life, because, in the event of an atomic war, Iceland would become a potential target due to the military base. These fears are based on the impression left by the two atomic bombs which had been recently dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Laxness began writing the novel shortly after these events.

Plot summary

Ugla, an uneducated girl from the countryside, moves from an outlying area of Northern Iceland to the capital city of Reykjavík in order to work for Búi Árland, a member of parliament, and to learn how to play the organ. She’s met with a world that’s completely foreign to her: politicians and the military move freely about the city, and she views city residents as spoiled, snobbish and arrogant. In contrast, she comes from a rural area where the Icelandic Sagas of the Middle Ages constitute the majority of what people discuss and ponder and are viewed as more important than reality. These historical backgrounds are certainly important and provide crucial patterns. The prime minister subsequently carries out secret dealings with the Americans and “sells” the country. Ugla, however, also confronts other current issues, above all in the organ player’s house. There, she comes in contact with communist and anarchist mindsets and likewise protests the construction of an atom station in Iceland. After a short relationship with Búi Árland, Ugla decides to return to the “shy policeman”, who is the father of her recently born child.

Sources:

*Friese, Wilhelm: Halldór Laxness. Die Romane. Eine Einführung. Basel, Frankfurt am Main: Helbing und Lichtenhahn, 1995. In: Beiträge zur nordischen Philologie, Bd. 24. S. 67-77.
*Keel, Aldo: Innovation und Restauration. Der Romancier Halldór Laxness seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg. Basel, Frankfurt am Main: Helbing und Lichtenhahn, 1981. In: Beiträge zur nordischen Philologie, Bd. 10. S. 8-65.
*Sønderholm, Erik: Halldór Laxness. En monografi. København: Gyldendal, 1981. S. 229-243.