Guðrún Helgadóttir was one of Iceland’s most beloved and prolific children’s book authors in the late twentieth century, respected equally by children, parents, and critics. She is best known for her humorous, realistic stories set in contemporary Iceland, written with an understanding of both the internal and external realities of children. Guðrún also had a long career as a politician, characterised by the same qualities as her writing: a strong sense of justice and a fight for improved status and equal opportunities for children and families.
Guðrún was born in Hafnarfjörður, a fishing town near Reykjavík, on 7 September, 1935, and grew up in a large family. Her father was a seaman, often absent, and her mother, a housewife, was understandably under a lot of stress.
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Citation: Þórarinsdóttir, Brynhildur. "Guðrún Helgadóttir". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 01 December 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14878, accessed 17 May 2024.]
