Soundtrack to a Novel
To celebrate the music that inspired him, Pedro Gunnlaugur curated a playlist featuring songs that are mentioned in the novel Lungu, along with tracks that he listened to while writing it.
Translations
Pictured above are author Gonçalo M. Tavares and Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia, holding copies of Tavares’ internationally acclaimed novel Jerusalém. Pedro’s Icelandic translation of this Portuguese modern classic was published in April 2023 – coinciding with the Reykjavík International Literary Festival, where Tavares was one of the guests.
Nobel Laureate José Saramago once famously stated about Tavares: In thirty years’ time, if not before, Tavares will win the Nobel Prize, and I’m sure my prediction will come true … Tavares has no right to be writing so well at the age of 35. One feels like punching him.
Pedro happily made do with shaking his hand.
The book was received with great interest by Icelandic critics and readers.
Brother/Doctor/Writer
Pedro Gunnlaugur’s brother is Henrik Geir Garcia (b. 1985), medical doctor – and writer. In 2023, Henrik (né Henrique, but later modified to follow Icelandic grammar rules) followed his older brother’s example and published a novel based on his experiences as a medical professional.
Læknir verður til (Becoming a Doctor) follows three young doctors’ journey into the field, illuminating how different personalities cope in different ways with the immense challenges that arise in their line of work, while also pointing out serious flaws in the Icelandic Health Care System.
https://www.laeknabladid.is/tolublod/2023/06/nr/8359
https://nyr.ruv.is/frettir/menning-og-daegurmal/2023-05-02-snemma-er-abyrgd-laeknisins-mikil
Pedro Gunnlaugur Garcia 