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of which are admirably executed, struck a new and peculiar note.
Jakob Thorarensen (1886) has published a volume of very good
short stories. Gudm. G. Hagalin (1898—) has in a series of long and
short novels mainly depicted the life of seamen and farmers in western
Iceland. Halldér "Kiljan Laxness (1902—) has written a few short
stories and two long novels chiefly dealing with the struggle of the
spirit against the ‘devil and the flesh’. Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-)a
well known author, also autside of Scandinavia, has written most of
his novels in Danish — only a few in Icelandic. Kristmann Gudmundsson
(1901—) is already an author of some note. His novels, descriplive
of Icelandic country life, are all written in Norwegian. Authoresses
of some note are: Theodora Thoroddsen (Short Stories), Unnur
Bjarklind (Short Stories), and Kristin Sigfisdéttir (Short Stories.
novels and plays).
Of American-Icelanders who have written short stories, the following
deserve to be mentioned: Thorsteinh Th. Thorsteinsson, Jéhannes.
P. Palsson, and Mrs. Gudrin H. Finnsdéttir.
The Drama. Dramatic literature in Iceland has necessarily had few
representatives, for play-acting in small towns with no national theatre
has had many difficulties to contend with, Yet a good beginning has
already been made. The first attempt in this field dates from the beginning
of the nineteenth century. Of later play-wrights we may here
mention Matthias Jochumsson, Indridi Einarsson (1851—), Einar
Kvaran, Jéhann Sigurjénsson (1880—1919), all choosing their subjects
from Icelandic history and folk-tales or from modern Icelandic life;
and Gudmundur Kamban (1888--) who has worked on modern subjects
only. The two last-named dramatists have written their plays
both in Icelandic -and Danish and attained to considerable fame aroad,
especially Sigurjénsson by his brilliant drama “Fialla- Eyvindur®
(Eyvindur of the Hills).
Of Icelandic playwrights in Canada, Guttormur J. Guitormsson and
Jéhannes P. Pilsson should be mentioned, both having written a few
pieces, chiefly one-act plays.
