Description
Book SynopsisWritten around the thirteenth century AD by Icelandic monks, the seven tales collected here offer a combination of pagan elements tightly woven into the pattern of Christian ethics. They take as their subjects figures who are heroic, but do not fit into the mould of traditional heroes. Some stories concern characters in Iceland - among them
Hrafknel's Saga, in which a poor man's son is murdered by his powerful neighbour, and
Thorstein the Staff-Struck, which describes an ageing warrior's struggle to settle into a peaceful rural community. Others focus on the adventures of Icelanders abroad, including the compelling
Audun's Story, which depicts a farmhand's pilgrimage to Rome. These fascinating tales deal with powerful human emotions, suffering and dignity at a time of profound transition, when traditional ideals were gradually yielding to a more peaceful pastoral lifestyle.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic litera
Table of ContentsHrafnkel's SagaIntroduction
Note on the Translation
1. Hrafnkel's Saga
2. Thorstein the Staff-Struck
3. Ale-Hood
4. Hreidar the Fool
5. Halldor Snorrason
6. Audun's Story
7. Ivar's Story
List of Personal Names
Maps
