Reviews

The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson, Michael Meyer

scarylions's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

zberly's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

sriq's review against another edition

Historical Viking fiction told with a discreet, tongue-in-cheek humor that keeps characters sympathetic even in gruesome brutality. The plot surges forward with the vigor of Icelandic sagas from a thousand years ago, with characters who compose poetry in the midst of failing battles, earn their epithets in drunken brawls, whose fortunes turn in waves. Recommended if you enjoy the historical novels of James Clavell, or the Viking period generally.

dualmon's review against another edition

5.0

Gritty multi-generational 12th century viking adventure story that The Walking Drum wishes it was

jhanway's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

krobart's review against another edition

4.0

See my review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/the-long-ships/

manuel69's review against another edition

adventurous challenging fast-paced

3.5

grankottekarin's review against another edition

adventurous funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

itisdpayne's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

rc90041's review against another edition

5.0

Truly unique. Dense and immersive, richly depicting the 10th-century world of the Vikings, early Christian missionaries, and, surprisingly, Islamic Spain. The book is fantastic, quietly hilarious, and surprisingly moving. A genuine tale of adventure.

There are several distinct episodes tied together in this one book—that may account for why it took me so long to finish it: I’d put it down after a major episode concluded, and then return to it a few months later. I’d definitely recommend this, as I can’t think of another book quite like it.