So, you have read and reread Tolkien. Stephen Donaldson does not give you the same thrills he used to. Robert Jordan died this past year. What do you do when you long for the excitement that comes from flashing swords, poetic language, blood feuds, fatal journeys, and the inescapable power of fate over our lives? You need to make your own journey back to the source. No one told a better story, more infused with passion, violence, and larger-than-life characters, than did the Icelanders.
In this superbly translated edition of selections from the early Icelandic sagas you will find tales of jealousy and revenge that surpass almost anything you will find being written today. The stories are replete with heroic deeds and valiant last stands. To read these you would wonder that anyone in Iceland survived to a ripe old age. If you are looking for swordplay there is plenty here to satisfy, but there is much more to these stories than just smiting and stabbing. These tales involve political allegiances, the consequences of crime, and even some more romantic aspects. The sagas feature strong men and women living passionate lives as they explored new lands and built communities. Included in this collection are the Vinland Sagas, telling of the settlement of Greenland and the early visits to North America.
These stories are at the heart of many of contemporary fantasy’s patterns. The quest story, tales of revenge, legends of powerful weapons all can be traced in part to these sagas created by the Norse people. If you want to understand fantasy fiction, here is a great place to start.
Check the WRL catalog for Sagas of Icelanders
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