- Hardcover: 848 pages
- Publisher: Allen Lane; 1st edition (30 Mar 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0713993561
- ISBN-13: 978-0713993561
- Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 16.5 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
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- #70 in Books > Fiction > Poetry & Drama > Poetry > Genres > Norse & Icelandic Sagas
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Product Description
Review
"One of the great marvels of World Literature.... This is a dream come true." --Ted Hughes
"A testimony to the human spirit's ability not only to endure what fate may send it but to be renewed by the experience." --Seamus Heaney
"The glory of the Sagas is indisputable." --Milan Kundera
"Generally excellent, accurate and readable, these translations are sure to become the standard versions." --The Times Literary Supplement (London) --This text refers to the Roughcut edition.
"A testimony to the human spirit's ability not only to endure what fate may send it but to be renewed by the experience." --Seamus Heaney
"The glory of the Sagas is indisputable." --Milan Kundera
"Generally excellent, accurate and readable, these translations are sure to become the standard versions." --The Times Literary Supplement (London) --This text refers to the Roughcut edition.
Product Description
The Kenandic sagas are amongst some of the most remarkable Nordic contributions to world literature. This selection of sagas and short tales is prefaced by an introductory essay by Robert Kellogg, explaining their literary and social context.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
61 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
For anyone wanting to begin reading Icelandic Literature this has to be the starting point. The collection offers a broad mix of material; from the longer more famous pieces such as Egil's Saga, to the shorter unknown works such as The Saga of Ref the Sly. The titles chosen offer a varied and colourful collection, especially as it groups together so many of the lesser known tales that have for a long time escaped the reader through bad translation and lack of stock. The stories are placed in context by both the critical introduction and by the reference section, though these are only short pieces, their value is considerable, while the useful bibliography leads the interested party towards the more detailed texts available. It is a shame that many of the translators have written in such a scholarly way; the language can become bland at times, this is especially true of the poetry, particularly in Egil's saga, where other additions have provided more vivid and touching stanza translations. Apart from this lack of artistic espression the book remains a marvel, beautifully laid out with a nice feel to it. Packed with bloody battles, wonderfully named characters (Hkraki Filth and Eirik Bloodaxe to name just a few), wicked women and unpronounceable placenames. European literature owes the Icelanders a great deal.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Roughcut
Just came back from Iceland, and bought this book during my visit there (needless to say, its cheaper on Amazon, but Ive got a Krona price tag :) ).
Ive always loved medieval literature, but this takes the cake. 500 years before anything we've previously experienced, you cant help but get involved with the characters, and this book gives you the base needed to understand the basics of the writing and context of the age so that you dont get lost, which is easy to do!
I spent 3 hours on my flight back to Barcelona transfixed with Egil's Saga, even though I had already heard the story during my visit.
I cant recommend this book enough.
Ive always loved medieval literature, but this takes the cake. 500 years before anything we've previously experienced, you cant help but get involved with the characters, and this book gives you the base needed to understand the basics of the writing and context of the age so that you dont get lost, which is easy to do!
I spent 3 hours on my flight back to Barcelona transfixed with Egil's Saga, even though I had already heard the story during my visit.
I cant recommend this book enough.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Roughcut
I too bought this in Iceland. Without a doubt, this volume is the best introduction to a magic, epic and ancient world that will surprise the reader with a realistic yet full of legend account of what life was almost 1000 years ago in bleak Iceland. The hardship of life, the winters, the unbeatable pursuit of maritime expeditions and the adventurous spirit of old Norsemen, the sorcery and the myths, the history buried under the layers of oral tradition, folk tales, magic, myths, love, death, war, power...a truly different world to get lost into, waiting to be explored.
On the other hand, the book offers enough scholarly advice and context regarding the sagas, the places mentioned, whatever is known of real events and authors, but it can also be read for the pure enjoyment of it, which I think is good too.
I truly recommend this to anyone with an interest in literature, history or both.
On the other hand, the book offers enough scholarly advice and context regarding the sagas, the places mentioned, whatever is known of real events and authors, but it can also be read for the pure enjoyment of it, which I think is good too.
I truly recommend this to anyone with an interest in literature, history or both.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Weighty
Got as a gift and seems very happy about the sheer weight of the thing (looks very comprehensive). However, the quality of the book itself is a bit odd - the paper isn't quite... Read more
Published 28 days ago by S. Perry
spiritual salvation
when i watch the world news today , i feel i gonna puke so reading is my utter spititual salvation.in this regard, saga of the icelanders , combined with its historical as well as... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Omar Farid
Medieval history - but not as you know it!
I was attracted to this book on the basis of a recent TV programme outlining the background to the oral recording and later writing of these tales. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Harlake
Hubby Loved it
Brought this for my viking loving husband. He was over the moon! Loves that they are all in one book.
Published 15 months ago by Jojo88
Magical, poetical.. so honest and full of morals..
Only two words come out about that book: Purely Magical..
After reading it I asked myself why this world has only one Iceland...?? :)
After reading it I asked myself why this world has only one Iceland...?? :)
Published 19 months ago by Irena Kolek
Magical
I bought this in Iceland too, and it is a wonderful souvenir. I was familiar with most of the sagas already but many of them were far better translated than my old copies and I... Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2009 by ML Jensen
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