The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery of America
by Unknown
(From Goodreads)
I love this type of story/history. When the past and the future meet, the tension of the old and new creates an interesting dynamic. The Christianization of peoples always creates an intriguing folk version of the religion. For instance, Leif is tasked with the mission to bring Christianity to Greenland by the king because he is lucky. Or, when the man rises from the dead to foretell the future of his widow.
As far as the Sagas go this one is famous because they discover some part of America. This compilation probably wouldn't be as widely read if Vinland was located in Greenland. That said, the stories really revolve around discovery, settlement and colonization and is less about famous battles and feuding. The feuding merely serves as a backdrop for the main characters to get started in their parts. Some of the best parts are the Icelandic poetry that the translation often goes into with a funny way of segueing... and then Thorstein said this little diddy and cut off the woman's head. I guess his poetry really killed...
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