Gestur Pálsson (25 September 1852 – 19 August 1891) was an Icelandic author, journalist, and newspaper editor, best known for his literary realism and themes of social injustice. His short stories and novellas are peopled by underdogs who remain as lowly and oppressed at the end of the narrative as they were at its outset. Although Gestur Pálsson’s writings reject the possibility of hard work or love triumphing over social inequality, his cynicism is balanced by his sympathetic portrayal of misfits and outsiders, who retain their humanity in spite of the cruelty shown them. His work is also notable for depicting urban life in Reykjavík at a time when Icelandic writers overwhelmingly fixed their gaze on rural communities.
Gestur Pálsson was born in the Westfjords of Iceland, on the
2423 words
Citation: Parsons, Katelin. "Gestur Pálsson". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 31 March 2023 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14865, accessed 13 December 2024.]