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Since the 1960s, Gu∂bergur Bergsson (b. 1932) has retained his position as one of Iceland's leading prose writers. His extensive output comprises novels, collections of short stories and poetry. He has been a pioneer in a number of literary experiments; his works have also often defied political correctness. In spite of criticism, Gu∂bergur has continued with his own style. It is typified by acerbic irony and a sense of detail, and by the use of coarse language combined with sensitive poetic expression. In the 1990s, the tone of his novels has been slightly more restrained. It was with the novel Svanurinn (1991, The Swan) that he made his international breakthrough. It has appeared in Brazil, England, Spain, Italy, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Finland. The work was entered for the Nordic Council Prize for Literature in 1993. It is an unusual tale about a nine-year-old girl caught pilfering, whose parents send her off to the countryside for the summer to learn to tell right from wrong. The Swan is also a book about the differences between people and animals, about the instinctive and the intellectual life. The writer's most recent works include two biographical novels Fa∂ir, mó∂ir og dulmagn bernskunnar (1997, "Father, mother and the magical power of childhood") and Eins og steinn sem hafi∂ fágar (1998, "Like a stone moulded by the sea"). They tell of a small boy growing up in the fishing village of Grin∂vík, where life revolves around the sea. The books were entered together for the 2000 Nordic Council Prize for Literature. In tandem with his work as a writer, Gu∂bergur has also been a prolific translator, e.g., from Spanish (Cervantes, Gabriel Garcia Márquez), Italian, Catalan, Portuguese and English.