You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting bit of insight into Scandinavian mythology/Viking culture, but I can’t say the story grabbed me. A bit too predictable, and buried under genealogies. Tbh this reader is glad to exit the saga.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was okay for Icelandic folklore standards, but I wouldn't go around recommending this story.
This was definitely interesting. Entertaining at times and overwhelming at others, this saga has me intrigued and curious about other sagas of warrior-poets.
There was an awful lot of names thrown at me and having finished the novel I can only really remember Gunnlaug, Helga, Hrafn, Thorstein and Illugi the Black. This might seem like a fair amount but trust me, that is merely a drop in the sea of the names mentioned in this little book.
Will I ever read this again? I doubt it, but I still enjoyed it.
There was an awful lot of names thrown at me and having finished the novel I can only really remember Gunnlaug, Helga, Hrafn, Thorstein and Illugi the Black. This might seem like a fair amount but trust me, that is merely a drop in the sea of the names mentioned in this little book.
Will I ever read this again? I doubt it, but I still enjoyed it.
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
helga was so real for that
I actually didn't originally intend to read this, but I've had my eye on this short Icelandic saga for some time! I just really had a hankering for something rooted in folklore and legend, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do so! I have to say, I feel like I learned a lot while reading this actually. Viking culture is something I've been itching to know more about, and I really feel like I got a taste of it here beyond the battles and bloodthirst. There was actually a lot more civility, gift-giving, poetry and diplomacy than I had originally thought, and I liked this realisation a lot. I actually liked the style of the translation - especially when a character would no longer be appearing and the unknown author would right 'they have now left the saga'. It made me laugh a lot.
I guess my main problems came from the fact that not a huge amount really happens. You are told the plot in the form of a dream at the very beginning (once you get past the huge amount of family name info-dumping - ancestry was also REALLY important to the Vikings) and everything pans out exactly as predicted really. The 'hero' was fairly likeable, though a little arrogant, but I didn't get too attached. I just wish there had been a bit more in the way of unpredictable action to the story. This was definitely more of an educational read than an exciting one, but I appreciated it all the same.
I guess my main problems came from the fact that not a huge amount really happens. You are told the plot in the form of a dream at the very beginning (once you get past the huge amount of family name info-dumping - ancestry was also REALLY important to the Vikings) and everything pans out exactly as predicted really. The 'hero' was fairly likeable, though a little arrogant, but I didn't get too attached. I just wish there had been a bit more in the way of unpredictable action to the story. This was definitely more of an educational read than an exciting one, but I appreciated it all the same.
An old school medieval Icelandic story that combines story telling akin to the Greeks with a plot like Shakespeare in a setting that is as distinctly Icelandic as Independent People.
Thorstein had a daughter named Helga and Gunnlaug fell in love. Gunnlaug was a hotheaded teen who wanted to see the world. After Gunnalaug got in a fight with his own father while trying to steal his inheritance, Thorstein became a sort of surrogate father to him. But that doesn't mean he wants this impetuous wanderer as a son-in-law. So they strike up a deal. Gunnlaug will travel as much as he like for a few years and if he comes back at a certain time, he can marry Helga. Gunnlaug runs afoul of the fellow Icelandic warrior poet Hrafn while visiting foreign kings. Gunnlaug is late in returning for Helga. Hrafn is not late in returning. Gunnlaug is shown up, but that doesn't mean he'll go quietly.
This story is filled with all kinds of hearty drama, of warriors and sea-faring and a love triangle to beat all. In typical classical style, it often does little to play up those enthralling elements, opting instead to leaning into obscure family genealogies and poetic verses that employ increasingly obscure metaphors as if the main point of a poem is to compare something straightforward to an object one could never have imagined.
The story is short and good and worth the time for anyone who can stomach anything Shakespearean or older.
Thorstein had a daughter named Helga and Gunnlaug fell in love. Gunnlaug was a hotheaded teen who wanted to see the world. After Gunnalaug got in a fight with his own father while trying to steal his inheritance, Thorstein became a sort of surrogate father to him. But that doesn't mean he wants this impetuous wanderer as a son-in-law. So they strike up a deal. Gunnlaug will travel as much as he like for a few years and if he comes back at a certain time, he can marry Helga. Gunnlaug runs afoul of the fellow Icelandic warrior poet Hrafn while visiting foreign kings. Gunnlaug is late in returning for Helga. Hrafn is not late in returning. Gunnlaug is shown up, but that doesn't mean he'll go quietly.
This story is filled with all kinds of hearty drama, of warriors and sea-faring and a love triangle to beat all. In typical classical style, it often does little to play up those enthralling elements, opting instead to leaning into obscure family genealogies and poetic verses that employ increasingly obscure metaphors as if the main point of a poem is to compare something straightforward to an object one could never have imagined.
The story is short and good and worth the time for anyone who can stomach anything Shakespearean or older.
adventurous
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes