þættirnir

Þættirnir is the definite plural form of the Icelandic noun þættir, meaning episodes, sketches, or anecdotes. In Icelandic literature, þættir are short narrative pieces that can stand alone as microfiction or function as compact episodes within longer works such as sagas or biographies.

The term has roots in Old Norse and medieval Icelandic narrative, where a short tale or incident within a larger work was referred to as a þáttr or þættir. In modern Icelandic usage, þættir covers short stories or vignette-like pieces in anthologies, magazines, or standalone collections.

Typical features of þættir include economy of language, a focus on a single moment or scene, and a heightened sense of place or mood. They frequently explore everyday life, relationships, landscapes, or social observation, and can range from humorous to reflective.

Notes: The title Þættirnir may be used to denote a specific collection or section, but in general it remains a generic label rather than a single canonical work.

See also: þáttr, saga, short story, microfiction.