The Icelandic novel
Systu megin[Systa’s Side], written by Steinunn Sigurðardóttir, was published in 2021. This work represents a significant milestone, as Steinunn sensitively addresses the conditions of poor individuals, slavery, and human trafficking — topics that have been neglected in the Icelandic literature of the twenty-first century. The story follows Systa, a poor woman living in Reykjavík. She rents a basement room and has access only to a chemical toilet. Systa earns her living by collecting cans, and, through remarkable resourcefulness, she manages to sustain herself despite extreme poverty and a lack of financial support from the government and her immediate family. The novel effectively highlights how society marginalizes the poor, as Systa is not the only…
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Citation: Steinþórsdóttir, Guðrún. "Systu megin". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 14 September 2024 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=41651, accessed 16 October 2024.]
