Literary Ties that Bind

Despite geographical distance, Icelandic writers in North America maintained deep connections with the literary scene back in Iceland.

Undína (Helga S. Baldvinsdóttir), 1902

Well-known North American-Icelandic poets like Guttormur J. Guttormsson, Stephan G. Stephansson, K.N. Júlíus, Sigurður Júlíus Jóhannesson, Jakobína Johnson, and Undína (Helga S. Baldvinsdóttir) all published poetry books back in Iceland. Their work also appeared in many different literary magazines there.

A 1902 journal entry by Jóhann Magnús Bjarnason.

The same was true of novelists like Jóhann Magnús Bjarnason who was born in Iceland and migrated to Nova Scotia with his parents before moving west. Most of his novels, including his famous novel Eiríkur Hansson, were published in Iceland.

Torfhildur Hólm, whom some refer to as the first Icelandic woman novelist, also had several of her historical novels published in Iceland while she was living in Manitoba. Guðrún H. Finnsdóttir of Winnipeg also published two short story collections in Iceland.

Torfhildur Þorsteinsdóttir Holm (left) with her mother Guðríður Torfadóttir (center) and sister Ragnhildur Þorsteinsdóttir (right)

The literary connection between North America and Iceland also flowed in the other direction. One of the first Icelandic poetry books published in Manitoba, for example, was a selection of poems by the renowned Icelandic poet Jónas Hallgrímsson. The musical play Aldamót, written by Matthías Jochumsson, was also published in Winnipeg in 1901. Matthías is best known for writing the lyrics to Iceland’s national anthem.

Iceland’s only Nobel laureate, Halldór Laxness, also has a connection to Icelandic publishing in Manitoba. During the summer and autumn of 1927, Halldór spent several months in the province. While there, he published several articles in the local Icelandic papers. He also embarked on a short reading tour. At each stop, he read from his short story “Nýa Ísland.” It tells the sad tale of a migrant Icelander’s struggles to build a new life as a farmer in Riverton, Manitoba. It was published in Heimskringla in October 1927.

Advertisement from the August 24, 1927, issue of Heimskringla promoting Halldór Kiljan Laxness’s Manitoba reading tour

The Icelandic literary scene in North America, centred in Manitoba, carved out its own unique path. However, Icelanders still living in Iceland were a key audience for North American-Icelandic writers. Literary-minded Icelanders living in North America also maintained an interest in the literary activity of their homeland. The two vibrant literary scenes tied the communities together despite the land and ocean that separated them.