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Product Description
Product Description
This saga brings alive the world of the 10th century AD when the Vikings raided the coasts of England.
Acclaimed as one of the best historical novels ever written, this engaging saga of Viking adventure in 10th century northern Europe has a very appealing young hero, Orm Tostesson, whose story we follow from inexperienced youth to adventurous old age, through slavery and adventure to a royal marriage and the search for great treasure. Viking expeditions take him to lands as far apart as England, Moorish Spain, Gaardarike (the country that was to become Russia), and the long road to Miklagard. The salt-sea spray, the swaying deck awash in slippery blood are the backdrop to fascinating stories of King Harald Blue Tooth, the Jomsvikings, attempts to convert the Northmen to Christianity, and much else. Like H. Rider Haggard, Bengtsson is a master of the epic form.
About the Author
Frans G. Bengtsson, Swedish essayist, novelist, poet, and biographer, was born in Tossjö, near Kristianstad, as the son of the manager of an estate in Skåne. Bengtsson was the first successful practitioner of the informal essay in Sweden, a genre that he virtually introduced to the literature of his own country. His best-known novel is Röde orm (1941-45, The Long Ships), a Viking saga written in an ornate and romantic style.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As a Swede, if I were to recommend just one Swedish book, it would be this! It is very well written and got "instant and constant" action. The book takes place some 800 years ac. You will follow the young Viking Orm throughout many exiting adventures. At the age of 17:teen, Orm get kidnapped and commences his journeys throughout west and east Europe. He serves in a Mohammedan army, raids England and also travels to Russia, to name a few of his adventures. Not only is it a hilariously funny book, it is historically accurate and you will learn a lot.
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This has to be one of the best historical novels on any subject ever written - a totally engaging, nay enthralling, saga of viking adventure at the turn of the previous millennium. It brings 10th century northern Europe vividly before the reader; it has a very appealing young hero, Orm Tostesson, whose story we follow eagerly and avidly from inexperienced youth to adventurous old age as he participates in viking expeditions as far apart as England, moorish Spain, and the long road to Miklagard. It's very much a smell-the-salt-sea-spray, feel the swaying deck, almost trip on the slippery blood sort of book, but it's additionally fascinating to anyone who's ever wondered how the Vikings could possibly relate to modern-day Danes and Swedes (this book will tell you). It's full of fascinating stories about such famous folk as King Harald Blue Tooth and the Jomsvikings, relating for example how a young warrior's long blond hair saved his life. And it's extremely funny, particularly on the subject of attempts to convert the less amenable Northmen to Christianity. And it's also in places moving; and in other places, an edge of the seat suspense thriller. I first found it in a 2nd hand bookstore in Stockholm in 1989; the copy I bought then has been re-read so many times that it has now fallen to pieces and I must have another, and several spares to give my friends.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Forget the awful cover – this book is a gem. One of Sweden's foremost historians and literary figures, Bengtsson has been compared to a latter-day Samuel Johnson. A marvellously pacy adventure story, "The Long Ships" towers above most historical fiction, especially as it contains sound background on arcane Norse traditions such as nose-tweaking, trollcraft and, of course, "The Ale Death". In fact, it's one of the funniest books you'll ever read – few books can make you laugh out loud on a crowded tube train, but this is one.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
"The Longships"
I remember reading this years ago, just had to read it again. It was a most excellent read and worth the price tag.
Published 6 months ago by merry-terry
I could read this book again and again
It's going to be incredibly difficult to put into words just how good this book is. Any review no matter how good, will be able to do this book full justice. Read more
Published 7 months ago by J. Cooper
Great adventure
I read this book many years ago when I was about 20. I was a very slow reader - I found a lot of books a struggle. But this just gripped me so much. Not a lot of flower arranging. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Booker-T-Andy
Excellent Viking Saga
This is a great book, and I read this in a matter of a few days as it was a real page turner, with exciting advenures of Orm and a Viking crew. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Michael Naughton
Totally Absorbing!
I was totally unaware, when ordering this, that the original dated back some 50+ years. Nevertheless, the translation from Swedish to English loses nothing, and adds to the... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mr. M. Rolfe
The Long Ships
I first read this book more than 20 years ago on the recommendation of my brother and thought it was great then. Read more
Published 18 months ago by dgb
The Long Ships - An Old Tale with Modern Resonance
This book was published in 1941 and deals with ancient Vikings and their travels around the world. It follows one particular Viking named Orm who rose from a humble village to... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Stuart
THE LONG SHIPS
THE LONG SHIPS IS WRITTEN BY A FAMOUS SWEDISH HISTORIAN. IT IS AN EXCITING ACCOUNT OF A VIKING COMMUNITY AND THEIR ADVENTURES, PARTICULARLY OF THE MENFOLK, IN THEIR TRAVELS. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by R. D. Mannix
wonderful book. Terrible cover!
I found out about this book on the Robert Low's website, where several of his readers and the big old Scottish Viking himself paid homage to this work. I can see why! Read more
Published on 14 Nov 2009 by Mr. A. I. Harrison
Storytelling at its best
Orm, son of Toste, grows up in Skania (south Sweden) a few decades before the year 1000. As a teenager he is kidnapped by Vikings, and sails with them to Spain, where he serves on... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2009 by H. Beentje
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