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A review by daniellersalaz
When We Were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald
3.0
I received an early copy of this book from Net Galley.
The story is told from the point of view of Zelda, a woman who was born with mental defects due to her mother’s alcoholism during pregnancy. Zelda lives with her older brother, Gert, who does his best to take care of her, but is having a hard time taking care of himself. Zelda loves Viking legends and decides that she needs to become legendary by fighting villains, going on quests, and even earning the love of a fair maiden.
I found this book unusual for the sensitive way it treated Zelda and her strengths and weaknesses. It took a very humanitarian approach to mental limitations. I didn’t necessarily think the other characters were as well developed as the protagonist, and I don’t feel that the story will stock with me for a long time, but it was a good way to spend a few hours.
The story is told from the point of view of Zelda, a woman who was born with mental defects due to her mother’s alcoholism during pregnancy. Zelda lives with her older brother, Gert, who does his best to take care of her, but is having a hard time taking care of himself. Zelda loves Viking legends and decides that she needs to become legendary by fighting villains, going on quests, and even earning the love of a fair maiden.
I found this book unusual for the sensitive way it treated Zelda and her strengths and weaknesses. It took a very humanitarian approach to mental limitations. I didn’t necessarily think the other characters were as well developed as the protagonist, and I don’t feel that the story will stock with me for a long time, but it was a good way to spend a few hours.