Short stories
Vonir
Not translated into English
Einar Kvaran · 1889
Synopsis
Ólafur, a poor, awkward, simple and trusting boy, loves Helga, as poor as he is, but beautiful, skilful and sought after, who dreams of a better life. It is thanks to him that she leaves alone for America, at a time when Icelanders are emigrating in large numbers to Canada, while he stays in Iceland, toiling in the hope of joining her. The story follows this boy who stakes his whole life on one woman and on the promise of somewhere else, on the other side of the ocean.
Context
Written in Canada, among Icelandic emigrants, the short story marks its author's breakthrough. It was translated into Danish in the collection To fortællinger fra Island, published in 1900 with another of his tales, Upp og niður, then reprinted in Icelandic in 1901 in Vestan hafs og austan, a collection of three stories. Realist in its depiction of poverty, rural life and the hopes carried by emigration, it belongs to the early work of a writer who later turned to spiritualism, without ceasing to write short stories.
Who it is for
A short story in Icelandic, read in the country's schools; no French translation.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as one of its author's best short stories; Georg Brandes saw it as a pearl.