Nora Ikstena

Nora Ikstena (1969-2026) was a prose writer and essayist. Ikstena was one of the most visible, and influential prose writers in Latvia, known for her elaborate style and detailed approach to language. After obtaining a degree in Philology from the University of Latvia in 1992, she went on to study English literature at Columbia University.  In her prose, Nora Ikstena often reflects on life, love, death and faith. 

Soviet Milk (2015, shortlisted for the Annual Literature Award for best prose, winner of the Public media award "Kilogram of culture", "The big readers' prize" in 2016, translated into more than 25 languages), Besa (2012), Celebration of Life (1998, translated into Norvegian, Italian, Danish, Swedish), The Virgin's Lesson (2001) are some of her most widely appreciated novels. The novel Amour Fou has been staged for theatre, and published in Russian (2010). Ikstena is also a prolific author of biographical fiction, non-fiction, scripts, essays, and collections of short prose. Her collection Life Stories (2004) was published in English in 2013, and Hindi in 2015. Her story Elza Kuga’s Old Age Dementia was included in the "Best European Fiction 2011" anthology. Ikstena is an active particpant in Latvia's cultural and political life, and a co-founder of the International Writers and Translators’ House in Ventspils.

She has won numerous awards, such as Baltic Assembly Prize in literature in 2006,  the Order of the Three Stars for Services to Literature in 2008 and in 2018 she was honoured with the national Excellence in Culture Award for being the internationally best-known Latvian writer of the 21st century.

Prose

Jōna [Jona]. Rīga: Dienas Grāmata, 2023.

Draugi. Vabulīša un Pifāna piedzīvojumi [Friends. Adventures of Vabulitis and Pifāns]. Rīga: Dienas Grāmata, 2023.
Ūdens mirdzēšana [The Glistening of Water]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2021.
Suņa dzīve. Stāsti un suneti [Dog Life. Collection of Stories]. In collaboration with artist Aivars Vilipsōns. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2019.
Ārprātija piedzīvojumi [Adventures of Insanity]. In collaboration with artist Aivars Vilipsōns. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2017.
Mātes piens [Soviet Milk]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2015.
Ulubeles pasakas [Fairy-Tales of Ulubele]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2014.
Besa. Riga: Mansards, 2012.
Starpdivāmdurvīm. Stāsti 1993 - 2011 [Between Two Doors]. Short stories, 1993 - 2011. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2011.
Vīrs zilajā lietusmētelītī [The Man in a Blue Raincoat]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2011.
Amour Fou jeb Aplamā mīla 69 pantos [Amour Fou]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2009.
Dzīves svinēšana [Celebration of Life]. Audio-book. Riga: Apostrofs, 2009.
Dzīvesstāsti [Life Stories].Riga: Atēna, 2004.
Pasakas ar beigām [Fairy-tales with Endings]. Riga: Pētergailis, 2002.
Jaunavas mācība [The Virgin's Lesson]. Riga: Atēna, 2001.
Dzīves svinēšana [Celebration of Life]. Riga: Atēna, 1998.
Maldīgas romances [Deceptive Romances]. Riga: Jāņasēta, 1997.
Nieki un izpriecas [Trifles and Joys]. Riga: Karogs, 1995.

Essays, biographies, miscellaneous
Durve un Paraplāns [Durve and the Paraglider]. Riga: Zvaigzne ABC, 2021.
Runādamies [Speaking]. Riga: Latvijas Mediji, 2020. 
Mīlestība [Love]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2019.
Dievmātesdraudzene [The Friend of Our Lady]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2013.
Dzīvespriecīgais vakarēdiens [ The Joyful Supper]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2012.
Šokolādes Jēzus [Chocolate Jesus]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2009.
Esamība ar Regīnu [Being With Regina]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2007.
Sīlis spoguļstiklā [A Jay in the Mirror Glass]. Riga: Dienas Grāmata, 2006.
Imants Ziedonis. Nora Ikstena. Nenoteiktābija [Imants Ziedonis. Nora Ikstena. The Indefinite Was]. Riga: Diena, 2006.
Māra Zālīte: Zīdtārpiņu musināšana [Māra Zālīte: Silkworm Enticement]. Riga: Pētergailis, 2003.
Vija Vētra: Deja un dvēsele [Vija Vētra: The Dance and the Soul]. Riga: Atēna, 2001.
Brunis Rubess: Brīnumainā kārtā [Brunis Rubess: Surprisingly Enough]. Riga: Nordik, 1999. 
Anna Rūmane-Ķeniņa: Pārnākšana [Anna Rūmane – Ķēniņa: Returning]. Riga: Garā pupa, 1993.

Jan M.Heller. A space of absurdity, femininity and trauma // Itvar, January 2025 [CZ]

Brenda Lelie. Latvia: Three Generations of Women in Soviet Latvia // Nederlandse boekengids, December 2024 [NL]

Latvian writers novels and books from Latvia // Alles over boek en enschrijvers, October 2024 [NL]

Brenda Lelie. Translators Luck Tour // Hebban, August 2024 [NL]

Marnix Verplancke. Top products and trends at Broese Bookstore // De morgen, June 2024 [NL]

Shortlist Europese Literatuurprijs 2024 // Spui25, June 2024 [NL]

Martijn van Bruggen. Longlist for the 2024 European Literature prize in Netherlands // Tzum, May 2024 [NL]

The visit of Latvian Writer Nora Ikstena at Erudito // Erudito, March 2024 [LT]

What it's like to live a double life under the Soviet regime. In conversation with N.Ikstena // ilfu, January 2024 [NL]

Reyes Martínez Torrijos. Writers reflect on the significance of minority languages // La Jornada, November 2023 [MX]

Europe Narrates Itself: Literature Embraces the Honesty of Mother Tongues // Newsrnd, November 2023 [MX]

Elena San Jose. Europe narrates itself: literature embraces the honesty of mother tongues // El Pais, November 2023 [ES]

Books that present us with an unknown Europe // Librotea, November 2023 [MX]

Guadalajara will host a rich offering of European cultures, identities and languages // Observatorial, November 2023 [MX]

Alejandra Carrillo. The must-sees of the FIL // Mural, November 2023 [MX]

Dieuwertje Mertens. Interview with Nora Ikstena // Parool, November 2023 [NL]

Three book tips from Beatrijs in Oudenaarde // Standaard, November 2023 [BE]

Literature Podcast, N.Ikstena mention // Boekhandeloverhetwater, November 2023 [NL]

Lukáš Růžička, edited by Glade. Mother's milk - a novel about the recent history of Latvia // Medziknihami, November 2023 [CZ]

Gintare Vasiliauskaite. Interview with Nora Ikstena // Kauno Diena, October 2023 [LT]

Gintarė Navakauskaitė. "Brush readings'23": about life, literature and mushrooms // Humanitarumeka, October 2023 [LT]

About translating Nora Ikstena's Mother's Milk // Athenaeum, September 2023 [NL]

Books by Nora Ikstena, Martijn Couwenhoven, David Grossman and Lo van Driel // Vprogids, September 2023 [NL]

Konstantina Filippopoulou. Hymn to freedom and to man // Athens Voice, July, 2023 [GR]

We meet Nora Ikstena and talk about Mother's milk // Vakxikon publications, June, 2023 [GR]

“Is it easy to be Latvian?" Latvian Literature-film festival 2023 // Ostraum, June, 2023 [DE]

Santiago Aparicio. Literary News D16 Fiction, reissues and literary nonfiction (25-June), N.Ikstena Destellos sobre el agua, Vaso Roto // Mediterraneo.diario16.com, June, 2023 [ES]

Žanete Vēvere. A Glimpse Into The Latvian Literature! // All about book publishing, February, 2023 [IN]

Nora Ikstena: Nada. A story from the everyday life of a contemporary woman // Vltava Radio, December 2022 [CZ]

Nora Ikstena - I thought she could win the Nobel Prize // bodilzalesky.com, October 2022 [SE]

Latvian Literature at Frankfurt: When Introversion is a Bold Choice // Publishing Perspectives, October, 2022 [EN]

Birute Mar “Mother's Milk“ (Soviet Milk) performance based on Nora Ikstena’s novel // kakava.lt, July 2022 [LT]

John Beauchamp. The Bear next door // BBC Radio 4, Apri; 2022 [EN]

Cristiana Abbate. European Literary itinerary. Latvia // Senzalinea, February 2022 [IT]

Fredrik Wadström. Culture portrait: Nora Ikstena // Swedish radio, December 2021 [SE]

Fredrik Wadström.Nora Ikstena about her novel "Mother's milk" // Swedish radio, October 2021 [SE]

Hector Gonzalez. 'I am surprised how little information there is about the effects of the Second World War': Nora Ikstena // aristeguinoticias, November 2021 [ES]

Reyna Paz Avendano. During the Soviet regime we got used to living in absurdities, says Nora Ikstena // cronica.com, November 2021 [MX]

About Durve and the Paraglider // Online magazine Satori, 2021 [LV]

About The Glistening of Water // Online magazine Satori, 2021 [LV]

Cecilia Werner, about Soviet Milk // Halans Nyheter, 2020 [SV]

Anna Von Friesen, about Soviet Milk // Boktugg, 2020 [SV]

About Soviet Milk // The Calvert Journal, 2020 [EN]

About Nora Ikstena // Sirp.ee, 2020 [EE]

About Soviet Milk // Publishing House Sprotin, 2020 [FO]

About Modersmjölken (Soviet Milk) // Mrs Calloway blog, 2020 [SV]

Andrew Singer podcast episode with Nora Ikstena // Trafikaeurope.org, 2020 [EN]

About Speaking // Online magazine Satori, 2020 [LV]

About Dog Life and Love // Latvijas Sabiedriskie Mediji, 2019 [LV]

Conversation with Nora Ikstena // LA.lv, 2019 [LV]

About "Muttermilch", German translation of "Mātes piens" // NORDISCH info, 2019 [DE]

ESSAYS: Europe Re-Visioned, A Bee Stings a Boot, by Nora Ikstena // Transcript Review [EN]

Amaryllises, A short story by Nora Ikstena // Transcript Review [EN]

Life Stories, Nora Ikstena // Guernica Editions [EN]

Life Stories, Hindi edition // Pustakmendi.com [EN, HI]

Naģe, a short story by Nora Ikstena // Trafika Europe 3 [EN]

Nora Ikstena, writer's profile // Investment and Development Agency of Latvia [EN]

 

N.Ikstena Soviet Milk, review // La Lageleest, November 2024 [NL]

T.M. van der Zwan. N.Ikstena Soviet Milk, review // Mappalibri, November 2024 [NL]

N.Ikstena. Is Love better than life // Bukvoid, June 2024 [UA]

Elke Huygens. Literary delights from Latvia // Gentleest, May 2024 [NL]

Anne Kleefstra. N.Ikstena, Soviet milk, review // Deletterfretter, April 2024 [NL]

N.Ikstena, Soviet milk, review // Medischcontac, April 2024 [NL]

N.Ikstena, Soviet milk, review // hy.armradio, March 2024 [ARM]

Anna Husson, N.Ikstena, Soviet milk, review // Hebban, February 2024 [NL]

Andre Oyen. N.Ikstena, Soviet milk review// Antwerpenleest, January 2024 [NL]

Michael Krielaars. Soviet milk, review // Nrc.nl, January 2024 [NL]

Naďa Dřizga. Life to give, life to suffer, review N.Ikstena Soviet Milk // Liliteratura.cz, November 2023 [CZ]

Best sellers from Vakxicon publications, review N.Ikstena Soviet Milk // Literature Greece, July 2023 [GR]

Nora Ikstena "Mother's Milk" // Bebenciukoknygos.lt, June 2023 [LT]

Inge Meijer. Last pages review Soviet Milk // Literairnederland, November 2023 [NL]

TM van der Zwan. Translated prose. N.Ikstena Soviet Milk // Mappalibri, November 2023 [BE]

 Book review "Soviet milk"  // Demorgen, October 2023 [BE]

Short & sweet (or not): the mini book reviews of week 42 review Soviet Milk // Volkskrant, October 2023 [NL]

Valentýna Žišková. Eat your child and die. Motherhood during the Soviet occupation, review Soviet Milk // Advojka, October 2023 [CZ]

Adri Altink.Harvest week 39 – 2023, review Soviet Milk // Literairnederland, September 2023 [NL]

Brenda Lelie. Soviet Milk // Lezersgoud, September 2023 [NL]

Mother's milk, review Soviet Milk // Lesser known Gems / Youtube review, September 2023 [NO]

Dietske Geerlings. Review N.Ikstena Soviet Milk // August, 2023 [NL]

Book tip: Mother's milk by Nora Ikstena // Bibliotek Larvik Kommune, August, 2023 [NO]

Nora Ikstena – Mother's milk: The most translated modern Latvian book // Culture now, May 2023 [GR]

Dioni Dimitriadou. "Mother's milk" by Nora Ikstena (review) - Mother and daughter in a state of freedom // Bookpress, March, 2023 [GR]

Vakxikon Publications. N.Ikstena // Authoring-melodies, March, 2023 [GR]

Nora Ikstena. Mother's Milk, review// books-cy.com, February 2023 [GR]

George Vailakis. N.Ikstena Mother's Milk // Propaganda, February 2023 [GR]

Kurosawa Ayumi. Introduction to Latvian literature // Eubungaku, 2023 [JP]

An evening with a book. Nora Ikstena. "Mother's Milk" Part IX // Lithuanian Radio, October 2022 [LT]

Claudia Debby. “Seeking” Freedom Through Mother, Child, and A Polar Bear, review of Soviet Milk // sinergijogja.com, September 2022 [IN]

Hilde Vesaas, review of Soviet Milk // Dag og Tid (in print), June 2022 [NO]

Gerd Elin Stava Sandve. Mother's milk by Nora Ikstena, review of Soviet Milk // Dagavisen (in print), March 2022 [NO]

Mother's milk by Nora Ikstena, review of Soviet Milk // mosstanten.se,  March 2022 [SE]

Tine Sundal. Mothers Milk by Nora Ikstena, review of Soviet Milk // tinesundal.blogspot,  March 2022 [NO]

Maren Dahl Keller. Pretending to be alive, review of Soviet Milk // bok365.no, February 2022 [NO]

Cristiana Abbate. European literary itinerary. Latvia // Senzalinea, February 2022 [IT]

Mother and child: Nora Ikstena writes about the human cost of the occupation // Bookmagasinet (in print), January 2022 [NO]

My reading challenge 2022: The country of literature of the month, review of Soviet Milk // Ellenslasrum, January 2022 [SE]

Audiobook review: Mother's Milk by Nora Ikstena, review of Soviet Milk // Skrivelisa, January 2022 [NO]

Books of the week, review Soviet Milk // Aristeguinoticias, November 2021 [MX]

Ieva Kolmane, Epizodes, review of The Glistening of Water // Online magazine Satori, 2021 [LV]

Zanda Gūtmane, Kad iemantota "augšas redze", review of The Glistening of Water // Online magazine Punctum, 2021 [LV]

Eileen Anthoniussen, audio review of Soviet Milk // KVF Faroese radio, 2020 [FO]

Saga Nordwall, review of Soviet Milk // Dagensbok.com, 2020 [SE]

Sunne Johannesson, review of Soviet Milk // Kristianstadsbladet.se, 2020 [SE]

Anna Johansson, review of Soviet Milk // Och Dagarnagar, 2020 [SE]

Per Wirtén, review of Soviet Milk // Ekspressen.se, 2020 [SE]

Anna Sahlén, review of Soviet Milk // Minabibliotek.se, 2020 [SE]

Жанна Куява, review of Soviet Milk // Tverdyna.ucoz.ua, 2020 [UA]

Elin Swedenmark, review of Soviet Milk // Göteborgs-Posten, 2020 [SE]

Hanna Lager, review of Soviet Milk // Feministbiblioteket.se, 2020 [SE]

Romero Barea, review of Soviet Milk // Romero Barea blog, 2020 [ES]

Anna Tullberg, review of Soviet Milk // Svenska Radio, 2020 [SE]

Anders Ljunggren, review of Soviet Milk // Anders Ljunggren blog, 2020 [SE]

Bārbala Simsone, Piepogādamies, review of Speaking // Diena.lv, 2020 [LV]

Judith Weber, review of Soviet Milk // Buchreport, 2020 [DE]

Jenny Lindh, video review of Soviet Milk // Nyhetsmorgon, 2020 [SE]

Anneli Jordahl, Nora Ikstenas modersporträtt är grandiost, review of Soviet Milk // Helsingsborg Magazine, 2020 [SWE]

Kristina Sandberg, Modersmjölken Mästerlig roman som väntat på att bli skriven, review of Soviet Milk // Svenska Dagbladet, 2020 [SWE]

Pina Bertoli, Nessuno è libero se non è padrone di sé stesso, review of Soviet Milk // Il Mestiere di Leggere blog, 2020 [IT]

Laila Obeidat, Writing by Women on the Future of Europe, review of Europa 28 // The London Magazine, 2020 [EN]

The Literary Addict, review of Europa 28 // The Literary Addict blog, 2020 [EN]

Sophie Baggott, Thirty favourite books by women from across the world, review of Soviet Milk // Global Literature in Libraries Initiative, 2020 [EN]

Fredrik Wandrup, review of Celebration of Life // Dagbladet, 2019 [NO]

Jūratė Čerškutė, review of Soviet Milk // Moteris, 2019 [LT]

Sean Guynes, review of Soviet Milk // Pop Matters, 2019 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Elena Square Eyes blog, 2019 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Reading Women Writers Worldwide, 2019 [EN]

Nina Allan, review of Soviet Milk // The Spider's House, 2019 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Winstonsdad's blog, 2019 [EN]

Claire Armitstead, review of Soviet Milk // The Guardian, 2018 [EN]

Kevin Brazil, review of Soviet Milk // The White Review, 2018 [EN]

Video review of Soviet Milk // Britta Böhler, 2018 [EN]

Britta Böhler, review of Soviet Milk // Open Letters Review, 2018 [EN]

Raimu Hanson, review of Soviet Milk // Tartu Postimees, 2018 [ET]

Imbi Paju, review of Soviet Milk // Kultuur Eer Ee, 2018 [ET]

David Hebblethwaite, review of Soviet Milk // David's Book World blog, 2018 [EN]

Catherine Venner, review of Soviet Milk // World Literature Today, 2018 [EN]

Video review of Soviet Milk // The Book Castle, 2018 [EN]

Extract from Soviet Milk // European Literature Network, 2018 [EN]

Rosie Goldsmith, review of Soviet Milk // European Literature Network, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // The Modern Novel blog, 2018 [EN]

Anne Aslanyan, review of Soviet Milk // The Times Literary Supplement, 2018 [EN]

Catherina Venner, review of Soviet Milk // World Literature Today, 2018 [EN]

Ilze Tālberga, review of Soviet Milk // Sirp Eesti, 2018 [ET]

Video review of Soviet Milk // Erik Karl Anderson, 2018 [EN]

Erik Karl Anderson, review of Soviet Milk // Lonesome Reader, 2018 [EN]

Maryom, review of Soviet Milk // Our Books Reviews Online, 2018 [EN]

Mika Provata-Carlone, review of Soviet Milk // Bookanista blog, 2018 [EN]

Dane Cobain, video review of Soviet Milk // Dane Reads, 2018 [EN]

Video review of Soviet Milk // Shawn The Book Maniac, 2018 [EN]

Video review of Soviet Milk // What Kamil Reads, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // A Life in Books, 2018 [EN]

Rachel Hore, review of Soviet Milk // Book Oxygen, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Tony's Reading List, 2018 [EN]

Kasper Håkansson, review of Soviet Milk // K's Bognoter, 2018 [DA]

Video review of Soviet Milk // Portal in the Pages, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Readers Retreat, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Dolce Belezza, a reading journal, 2018 [EN]

Jane Temson, review of Soviet Milk // From First Page to Last, 2018 [EN]

Jackie Law, review of Soviet Milk // Neverimitate Wordpress, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Madhouse Family Reviews, 2018 [EN]

Paul Fulcher, review of Soviet Milk // Goodreads, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Louise Norman blog, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Reading Matters blog, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // Anne Goodwin's blog, 2018 [EN]

Review of Soviet Milk // 1streading's blog, 2018 [EN]

Inga Žolude, Eksistenciālais luksuss, review of Soviet Milk // Internet magazine Punctum.lv, 2016 [LV]

Bārbala Simsone, Rūgtais dzīvības dzēriens, review of Soviet Milk // Diena.lv, 2015 [LV]

Anda Baklāne, Par pienu, kura nebija, review of Soviet Milk // Internet magazine Satori.lv, 2015 [LV]

Aivars Madris, Atgriešanās būrī, discussion about the novel Soviet Milk // the Literature and Music Museum (RMM) website, 2015 [LV]

Guntis Berelis, …dzīve ir dzīve ir dzīve…, review of The Virgin's Lesson // Critic Guntis Berelis' literary blog, 2001 [LV]

Guntis Berelis, Kas miris, lai dzīvo, kas dzīvo, lai mirst, review of Celebration of Life // Critic Guntis Berelis' literary blog, 1998 [LV]

2019, shortlisted for European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Literature Prize for Soviet Milk

2019, longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Presses for Soviet Milk

2018, Excellence Award in Culture

2016, The Dzintars Sodums' Award for Mother's Milk

2011, Copyright Eternity Prize for Amour Fou

2006, the Annual Latvian Literature Award for The Indefinite Was

2006, the Baltic Assembly Prize for Literature for The Indefinite Was

2006, The Diena Annual Award in Culture for The Indefinite Was

2004, the Annual Latvian Literature Award for Life Stories

2001, the Annual Latvian Literature Award for The Virgin's Lesson