Stykkishólmur is a small town on the northern shore of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in Iceland. It is a mountainous area, with one of its main tourist attractions being Mount Kirkjufell. Its average temperature is around 32 degrees Fahrenheit. First developed in 1550, Stykkishólmur grew significantly through the Danish Trade Monopoly about 50 years later. This monopoly “disenfranchised and impoverished many Icelanders” but also, “help[ed] the development of towns along the peninsula such as Stykkisholmur.” The monopoly lasted until through the end of the 18^th century, and Iceland remains on good terms with the Danish people to this day (Guide to Iceland).

In The Flight of Gemma Hardy, Stykkishólmur is the hometown of Gemma’s father, and where her Icelandic family lives. Here, she retraces her parental history through her aunt Kristjanna and her cousin Berglind (Livesey 416). Stykkishólmur, according to “Guide to Iceland,” is featured in many Icelandic Sagas, like the ones Gemma and Archie studied. Specifically, Stykkishólmur is featured in Laxdæla Saga, “one of the earliest European stories with a passionate and powerful female lead Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, who struggles against a destiny to lose four husbands while trying to keep her children close and safe” (Guide to Iceland).

This struggle against destiny creates an interesting compliment to Gemma’s journey. Arguably, because of Gemma’s misfortune and financial situation, it was her destiny to end up like Ross. Whether while living at Claypoole or after fleeing Blackbird Hall, Gemma’s poverty remained constant. It can be argued that her engagement to Archie also represents poverty, as the relationship was passionless and would have left her unfulfilled. However, she fights against this destiny through her perseverance with Nell, her friendships with Hannah and Pauline, and her decision to steal money to fly to Iceland. Gemma appears to be someone who is always fighting destiny, and winning, as we see at the end of the novel. Stykkishólmur itself may represent that fight against destiny, especially when it is represented through poverty. By risking everything to go to Iceland, finding this town by chance from the kindness of strangers, she gained not only a family but 4,000 Pounds. So, by placing her Icelandic family in Stykkishólmur, Livesey creates a sort of Saga for Gemma as well, as she fights destiny to make a better life for herself.

Works Cited:

Guide to Iceland. “Stykkishólmur Travel Guide” Guide to Iceland. https://guidetoiceland.is/travel-iceland/drive/stykkisholmur. Accessed 27 February 2022.

Icelandic Times Editors. “The Picturesque Town of Stykkishólmur” Icelandic Times Magazine. 19 July 2016. https://icelandictimes.com/the-picturesque-town-of-stykkisholmur/. Accessed 27 February 2022.

Livesey, Margot. The Flight of Gemma Hardy. New York. HarperCollins. 2012.