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Comic Sagas and Tales from Iceland

Penguin Classics
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3.94 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Comic Sagas and Tales from Iceland is a vibrant collection of medieval Icelandic stories that blend humour, satire, and folklore. These narratives capture adventurous escapades, whimsical characters, and the amusing incidents that shape their lives. The tales provide a unique glimpse into the culture and society of Iceland, showcasing the rich storytelling tradition of the region.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this collection of sagas and tales if you're fascinated by the legendary stories of medieval Iceland, filled with adventure, heroes, and mythical creatures. This captivating work offers a glimpse into the rich storytelling tradition of the Icelandic people, blending history and myth with engaging narratives. Perfect for readers who appreciate epic tales and cultural exploration.

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Icelandic literary culture was one of the richest and most important in the medieval world. This title brings together the finest comic stories from medieval Iceland. It examines how the stories satirised old-style sagas while exploiting their classic themes of quests and revenge.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Comic Sagas and Tales brings together the finest comic stories from medieval Iceland. With feuding families and moments of grotesque violence, the sagas see such classic mythological figures as murdered fathers, disguised beggars, corrupt chieftains, and avenging sons do battle with axes, words, and cunning.

Icelandic literary culture was one of the richest and most important in the medieval world. Texts that were written in Iceland during this period include Njal's Saga, Egil's Saga, The Vinland Sagas, as well as the Comic Sagas and Tales collected in this volume.

The tales follow heroes and comical fools through dreams, voyages, and religious conversions in Iceland and beyond. Shaped by Iceland's oral culture and their conversion to Christianity, these stories are works of ironic humour and stylistic innovation.

In the introduction to these new translations, Vi ar Hreinsson examines how the stories satirised old-style sagas while exploiting their classic themes of quests and revenge. This edition also includes a map, glossary, index of characters, suggested further reading and notes.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Comic Sagas and Tales from Iceland is praised for its unique take on Icelandic narratives, presenting stories that are edgy, subversive, and often grim. In contrast to the traditional and often uplifting Icelandic family sagas, these tales provide a darker, counter-narrative experience, as explained in the insightful introduction by Viðar.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140447743

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 March 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Viðar Hreinsson
  • Edited by Robert Kellogg

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 270g

Pages: 368

Collections

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About the Author

Vi ar Hreinsson grew up on a farm in Northern Iceland and studied Icelandic and literary theory in Iceland and Copenhagen. He is an independent literary scholar at the Reykjavik Academy and has taught and lectured on various aspects of Icelandic literary and cultural history both in Iceland and abroad, in Canada, USA and Scandinavia. General Editor of The Complete Sagas of Icelanders I-V (1997), he has also authored an award-winning two-volume biography of Icelandic Canadian poet Stephan G. Stephansson (2002-3). More recently, he has been an environmental activist, written two additional biographies and served as director of the Reykjavik Academy.

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