Norse & Icelandic Sagas Books

Rebecca's Reward (Daughters of Blessing #4)

Lauraine, Snelling

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Lauraine Snelling books 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book for my 94-year old mother as a continuation of the "Daughters of Blessing" series. She's read many books by Lauraine Snelling and has enjoyed them all because she can relate to the setting and the characters. Plus, they're Christian books that aren't too preachy.

Another wonderful daughter... 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This is a wonderful story...before you read it though, start with The Red River of the North and do the complete series. You won't be sorry. Lauraine Snelling does such a great job with the history weaving a story, of a wonderful Norweigein family and their faith in God, and their struggles with a new country. I hope there is a Daughters of Blessing #5, I'm looking forward to it.

















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Editorial Review:

Nineteen-year-old Rebecca Baard has experienced more than her share of sorrow, and now she is afraid to open her heart to love. Besides, no man has ever shown enough interest in her to come courting. So Rebecca's friends set out to remedy the situation, concocting social events to attract all the eligible bachelors in Blessing and advising her in the use of feminine wiles. When none of these efforts seem to work, Rebecca tries yet another tack, only to discover that even the best of intentions can't keep events from taking a surprising turn.

Will Rebecca overcome her fears, or will she settle for something less than love?

The Saga of the Volsungs (Penguin Classics)

Anonymous

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

One of the great books of world literature--an unforgettable tale of jealousy, unrequited love, greed, and vengeance.

Based on Viking Age poems and composed in thirteenth-century Iceland, The Saga of the Volsungs combines mythology, legend, and sheer human drama in telling of the heroic deeds of Sigurd the dragon slayer, who acquires runic knowledge from one of Odin's Valkyries. Yet the saga is set in a very human world, incorporating oral memories of the fourth and fifth centuries, when Attila the Hun and other warriors fought on the northern frontiers of the Roman empire. In his illuminating Introduction Jesse L. Byock links the historical Huns, Burgundians, and Goths with the extraordinary events of this Icelandic saga. With its ill-fated Rhinegold, the sword reforged, and the magic ring of power, the saga resembles the Nibelungenlied and has been a primary source for such fantasy writers as J. R. R. Tolkien and for Richard Wagner's Ring cycle.

Translated with an Introduction, Notes, and Glossary by Jesse L. Byock.

Giants in the Earth: A Saga of the Prairie (Perennial Classics)

Ole Edvart Rolvaag

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Powerful characters, beautifully written 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Like Moberg's novels of the Swedish emmigrant experience in Minnesota, Rolvaag's earlier Saga of the Prairie tells of the Norwegian frontier settlers in Dakota Territory. Rolvaag's prose is richly evocative of the solitude and loneliness of the wide prairie expanses and the savage elements of winter blizzards and summer locust plagues. His characters are deep and complex, and the whole story reads like a literary soap opera almost impossible to put down. A great achivement, highly recommended.

Found it on my son's 8th grade reading list 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I had never heard of this book until I saw it on my 8th grade son's reading list. Growing up in the South, and living in the West since '72, I was totally unfamiliar with the history of Norwegian immigrants in America. I found the book interesting, albeit, did not like how the story omitted some details, chapter to chapter, I wanted to know everything, maybe I'm shallow, but....
I was amazed to find out how many people, especially co-workers, had read this book, and it was responsible for more than a few literary discussions. If I could give it 3 1/2 stars, I would.

Editorial Review:

The classic story of a Norwegian pioneer family's struggles with the land and the elements of the Dakota Territory as they try to make a new life in America.

The Sagas of Icelanders: Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition (World of the Sagas)

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 34 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Reading At A Bargain Price! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a great collection of stories for 2 reasons. The first is because it's a great bargain for the price. This is a HUGE book & will entertain the reader for hours. I've bought several volumes of the great Sagas, including several such as Egil's Saga & Njal's Saga or Burnt Njal, which contained only one story. This book contains all of Egil's Saga as well as many others. I think Penguin definitely gives you a lot for your money.
The second reason is that these are great stories. The characters are interesting, the action is intense, and the plots are memorable. Anyone who loves tales of adventure & conflict will find something to like here. Anyone thinking that the Norse people offered no lasting contribution to Western culture should familiarize themselves with the Sagas. In my opinion, these works compare favorably to any literature of the Middle Ages.
The one caution I'd offer to someone not familiar with these tales is to not read the introductions until after reading the story. Otherwise, the ending will be spoiled for you.
Penguin has a reputation for publishing important historical works of literature at very affordable prices. This collection is a fine addition to their impressive catalog.

Editorial Review:

In Iceland, the age of the Vikings is also known as the Saga Age. A unique body of medieval literature, the Sagas rank with the world's great literary treasures - as epic as Homer, as deep in tragedy as Sophocles, as engagingly human as Shakespeare. Set around the turn of the last millennium, these stories depict with an astonishingly modern realism the lives and deeds of the Norse men and women who first settled in Iceland and of their descendants, who ventured farther west to Greenland and, ultimately, North America. Sailing as far from the archetypal heroic adventure as the long ships did from home, the Sagas are written with psychological intensity, peopled by characters with depth, and explore perennial human issues like love, hate, fate and freedom.

The Strongbow Saga, Book Three: The Road to Vengeance (The Strongbow Saga)

Judson Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

More than skin deep..... 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Judson Roberts really steps it up a notch in this third exciting addition to the Strongbow saga. As Halfdan continues to prove himself as a skilled warrior, he also struggles with a lot of inner turmoil on his road to vengeance. The issues that are brought up over honor and duty really push Halfdan into the developed strong character we saw in the first book. He is more than a superb archer, and more than a killer. The line between right and wrong is not as clear in this book as Halfdan struggles to become a real man. I loved this third book, it is a big step up from the second one. After reading it in only two days, I felt it was good enough to deserve another five starred review. If you enjoy a good historical fiction, don't pass up this series. I highly recommend it. Judson Roberts is a brilliant writer with a strong background in the history. I think he even makes a reference to a Billie Holiday song, Strange Fruit in one of his chapters. I am a big fan of this author.

Editorial Review:

Halfdan Hroriksson is on the hunt.

Determined to find and fight his brother's killer, Halfdan knows he must first gain experience as a Viking warrior. He's been lucky so far. He gained passage on a ship and is quietly learning the strategies of war and conquest from the hardy crew. Now, with a prisoner in tow—the daughter of a wealthy aristocrat—Halfdan is finally starting to earn some respect, and a name for himself.

But he is not looking for praise. Halfdan is only biding his time, gaining strength and skill for his ultimate quest. Time and again he proves himself on the battlefield, using clever strategy and an uncanny talent with a bow and arrow. Halfdan is growing as a warrior, but will this be enough to beat a savage murderer?

Through epic battle scenes and intimate power struggles, Judson Roberts brings the Viking world to pulsing life in this next chapter of the Strongbow Saga.

Iceland: Land of the Sagas

Jon Krakauer, David Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Slight Disappointment 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 11 people found this review helpful.

Well, I must admit a slight "prejudice" regarding this book. I bought it because I've already read all the other books by Jon Krakauer (and loved every one a bunch!). But, this book is quite different from any other that Krakauer has been involved in. Right on the front cover it says "Photographs by Jon Krakauer Text by David Roberts" so I guess I shouldn't really have been all that surprised by the "difference." In fact, I have no choice but to believe that virtually everything that Jon Krakauer lays his hands on turns to gold somehow (this book is no different in this regard), since he absolutely has to be a severely super-experienced pro explorer, mountain climber, skier, paddler, writer and now, photographer, as well, judging from all he's written. If anything, he "under" emphasizes the feelings and emotions, at least, for those of us who've had at least a small taste of the miseries, dangers and pitfalls-- weather can play a big role-- that befall nearly every person who does these things. At some point, if your heart is in it at all, you'll get the crap scared out of you big time, unless you are completely out of your mind, either due to drugs, insanity or whatever. Krakauer is amazing at writing about all of this and more, but you'll find none of that in this book, at least none written by Krakauer. Nonetheless, as I said, Krakauer does anything and everything to perfection and with class, and in this book the text by David Roberts is nothing to boo-hoo at all. He is the equal of Krakauer in his own writing style and he tells great stories which are parts of the endless "sagas" that go on for centuries there, part of ordinary everyday life and culture for an Icelander, but a strange curiosity for foreigners from afar. Krakauer deferred to Roberts here most likely for a couple reasons; because he thought Roberts knew more and could write easier and with better results regarding Iceland, and he probably wanted to focus on developing yet another great natural talent of his own, photography, especially in such a surreal and amazingly different place that most peoples of the world aren't very familiar with. I'm guessing here, but the end results are superb. I know there are the little issues of content and various criticisms about whether they covered Iceland in a "balanced" and "informative" way, or whether the photos really represent the "true Iceland" that you'd see and experience should you take a "normal" vacation there (if there is such a thing). But those types of travel info books can be gotten by buying the title "Iceland" from any number of companies like Frommers or Fodors to many lesser known and more colorfully illustrated travel books that may or may not have as current of info as these well-known ones. I'm sure this is NOT the genre that Roberts and Krakauer had in mind when doing this book. Their book should be in that genre, too, but is very much more than that and I can definitely recommend it for anyone interested in Iceland, whether you have been there, are going there soon or maybe never will go there, but just want to know about the place. This title must be on your Iceland (or Jon Krakauer or David Roberts) list, whether short or long!

Editorial Review:

A pictorial classic on one of the last "undiscovered" countries is offered by David Roberts and Jon Krakauer, author of "Into Thin Air". While touring and photographing a landscape of remarkable variety, the authors survive numerous adventures and discover the myths and legends of Iceland's stirring history. Full color.

The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea

Judson Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Breathless excitement! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book is filled with suspense. I was exhausted by the end of it! I look forward to the next book. LONG LIVE HALFDAN!!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Strongbow Saga, Book Two: Dragons from the Sea
by Judson Roberts
Historical Fiction *****
This story is about a young man named Halfdan. He has a large past that is very painful for him. When he just turned 15, He and his half brother set off to show him his new inheritance, his own little bit of land. But only at the first night of being there, Toke, his half brother turns up wanting revenge for inheriting nothing. Toke is a berserk (someone who is crazy about killing) very mean and evil. Late at night he attacked the land and killed the innocent people of it while promising their safe exit, he wanted no one to tell of his treachery. Halfdan managed to get away with the sacrifice of his brother while making a path to let him escape. They needed someone to escape, so he could avenge them all. Now he is looking for a ship to serve in a port called Hedeby. He finds a Jarl who he impresses with his bow skills. The Jarl normally doesn't just anyone join his crew of vikings but he believes that the norns (the gods that weave everybody's life line)have sent the boy as a sign to him. Halfdan joins the crew that soon after leaves to the call of the king of the Danes. The king declares that they shall all go to war against the Franks, who had done the same thing to them many centuries ago. So with little experience at all Halfdan ventures to war.
This book sort of relates to this book that I read called Hatchet. It was a story about a boy who was 13 and he got lost in the wilderness with only his hatchet, and his will to live. It is actually a very powerful story because this boy is just doing well when all the sudden, something terrible happens to him and his new way of life, he had to start all over, just like Halfdan. So i guess they are sort of similar.
The author is a very talented writer for all I'm concerned. He really knows how to describe something without boring me to sleep. I loved his first strongbow saga book as well. He really brings the words alive and paint pictures in my mind. He is also very good at leaving you hanging at the end of the first and second of these books. Almost everyday for about a month I would ask my mom if this book had arrived in the mail. So about two days ago it actually did come, I've been reading 24/7 since then. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!! ******************************** !!!!!!KOOB SITH EVOL
*****

Editorial Review:

The thrilling Strongbow Saga continues with this fierce sequel chronicling the adventures of a young man learning the ways of the Viking warriors. As fifteen-year-old Halfdan embarks on a perilous mission in a foreign land, he shows signs of greatness. But will he live up to his family name, or die trying? Author and Viking expert Judson Roberts draws on his detailed knowledge of this bloody time and culture to bring a young hero's exploits to life.

The Saga of Grettir the Strong (Penguin Classics)

Anonymous

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Before Conan the Barbarian...There was Grettir the Strong 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 7 people found this review helpful.

He began his life as the lazy son of an over-indulgent mother, and indifferent father. He grew up to become the strongest man in Iceland, and the most notorious.

Grettir earned fame from his enormous strength and battle-prowess, slaying powerful undead creatures, and other supernatural beings. But his dealings with mortal men, often resulted in outlawry. Despite the fact that most of his slayings of men were self-defence, "justice" went in favor of the better connected party. Enemies hunted Grettir in numbers that would easily overpower common men, but Grettir repeatedly sent his adversaries off in panicked retreat.

As a daring and reckless warrior seeking fame, Grettir's potential is vastly promising...until he was cursed by Glam, the undead wraith who doomed him to a life of miserable isolation, squalor, and crime. Forced to rely on banditry in order to survive, Grettir's good name is tarnished, people strive to kill him or drive him away. A price is put on his head. Yet Grettir surpasses them all, until one enemy utilizes sorcery to bring him down once and for all.

Editorial Review:

Composed at the end of the fourteenth century by an unknown author, The Saga of Grettir the Strong is one of the last great Icelandic sagas. With a mesmerizing combination of pagan ideals and Christian faith, it relates the tale of Grettir, an eleventh- century warrior struggling to hold on to the values of a heroic age as they are eclipsed by Christianity and a more pastoral lifestyle. Unable to settle into a community of farmers, Grettir becomes the aggressive scourge of both honest men and evil monsters—until, following a battle with the sinister ghost Glam, he is cursed to endure a life of tortured loneliness away from civilization, fighting giants, trolls, and berserks.

The Strongbow Saga, Book One: Viking Warrior

Judson Roberts

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A book a 14 year old boy loves. 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

My son just started the 8th grade and needed a book to read for a book report. He is not an avid reader so I had to look through a lot of books to find what I thought he would enjoy. I found him the other night quietly reading in his bed. I was shocked. He finished it in a week which is really good for him. He now wants the rest of the books in this series. So guess what is on order from Amazon.com? You guessed right, the remaining two books in this series. Bravo for getting a 14 year old boy to read!

My students love it! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I teach 8th graders and they are currently reading this book. They can't get enough of it. The book has great historical detail and accuracy and is riveting. Even the girls enjoy it despite its graphic battle scenes. Wonderful book to get young boys into reading.

If you get past the beginnig its Great 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This book was pretty boring in the beginning but as it went on it got better and better. In the beginning nothing happens and there's tons and tons of filler, but later it gets interesting. There is still lots of filler throughout the book but it gets more and more exciting. He does a good job of geting you hooked at the end and then leaving you there. If you can manage around 100 pages of boredom you will get rewarded with tons of exciting and interesting stuff.
I wouldn't say this book is for everyone though I could see lots of people i know loving the beginning and hating the rest or just hating evrything together. I think its a great book so you should try it and if its not right for you try a difrent book.
If you do buy this book i suggest you by the second one too and if you like the first one at the end get the third one. I made the mistake buying one at a time and believe me the ends are Gigantic cliff hangers so you will want the next ones.

Editorial Review:

Ages 14 +

Kristin Lavransdatter II: The Wife (Penguin Classics)

Sigrid Undset

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

In Kristin Lavransdatter (1920-1922), Sigrid Undset interweaves political, social, and religious history with the daily aspects of family life to create a colorful, richly detailed tapestry of Norway during the fourteenth-century. The trilogy, however, is more than a journey into the past. Undset's own life—her familiarity with Norse sagas and folklore and with a wide range of medieval literature, her experiences as a daughter, wife, and mother, and her deep religious faith—profoundly influenced her writing. Her grasp of the connections between past and present and of human nature itself, combined with the extraordinary quality of her writing, sets her works far above the genre of "historical novels." This new translation by Tina Nunnally—the first English version since Charles Archer's translation in the 1920s—captures Undset's strengths as a stylist. Nunnally, an award-winning translator, retains the natural dialog and lyrical flow of the original Norwegian, with its echoes of Old Norse legends, while deftly avoiding the stilted language and false archaisms of Archer's translation. In addition, she restores key passages left out of that edition.

Undset's ability to present a meticulously accurate historical portrait without sacrificing the poetry and narrative drive of masterful storytelling was particularly significant in her homeland. Granted independence in 1905 after five hundred years of foreign domination, Norway was eager to reclaim its national history and culture. Kristin Lavransdatter became a touchstone for Undset's contemporaries, and continues to be widely read by Norwegians today. In the more than 75 years since it was first published, it has also become a favorite throughout the world.