Elfwyn's Saga

Gorm the Grim is outraged that the Hidden Folk have favored Analaf Haraldsson with the greenest valley in the North, so he carves hateful runes deep in a boulder overlooking the valley and lays a curse on Anlaf and all his line. Because of this curse, Elfwyn (a Celtic name meaning "beloved of elves"), the daughter of Anlaf and his wife, Gudrun, is born blind. But although she cannot see and the midwives believe it an ill omen to permit such a one to live, the lovely Elfwyn is blessed by the Hidden Folk with grace, knowledge, and the ability to "see" without sight. Until her tenth birthday Elfwyn lives a happy life, clearly beloved of the Hidden Folk ("huldufolk"). Then on Midsummer's Eve, Gorm the Grim comes uninvited to the great hall and presents Anlaf Haraldsson with a gift: a hyge crystal, clear and perfect, shinning with a light of its own. The blind Elfwyn touches the crystal and declares: "It is hard and cold, like the man who brought it." Her father is embarrassed by her curt remark, but Elfwyn is able to see what her father cannot: that this crystal is but another type of curse that is sowing seeds of discontent within their clan.David Wisniewski has drawn this Icelandic history and legend to tell this tale of the eternal battle between good and evil. There is also a lesson here about the importance of being attentive to duty, which was a life-and-death matter in the Iceland of the 10th century in the age of the Vikings. After all, distraction from your duty could bring about disaster. Young readers might not be able to appreciate the lessons being taught by this ancient tale, but they will certainly appreciate the wonderfully intricate cut paper illustrations by Wisniewski (photographed by Lee Salsbery). The clouds, waves, and leaves on the trees are all stunningly displayed. Usually it is to be hoped that young readers will be inspired by such artwork to try and do something similar, but what Wisniewski has done here might be too intimidating (the process is explained in the back of the book and involved over one thousand blades in an X-Acto knife).Older readers will want to check out the Author's Note in the back of the book where Wisniewski talks about the culture behind "Elfwyn's Saga." He explains the origin of the "huldufolk" as the descendants of the unwashed children of Eve, Gorm's mesmerizing crystal being loosely based on the legendary "sunstone," and how Gorm's distinctive helmet is of Swedish origin. These facts might be of more interest to teachers than students, but learning that the Iceland of Viking time had an abundance of birch trees, even though the country today is virtually treeless. But overall while the story is pretty good, it is the illustrations that make this a standout book for young readers.

One fateful day, far to the north, two ships of the northmen are bound toward the greenest valley in the land. One contains Anlaf Haraldsson , his wife Gudrun, and his weary seamen. The other transports Gorm the Grim, a fierce and vengeful beserker and his crew of angry warriors. The hidden folk, those who live only in dreams aid the good Anlaf. But when they see Gorm mercilessly pursuing, they becalm his ship and hold him back. As Gorm frothed with rage that the hidden folk had aided Anlaf, he carved evil runes into a boulder overlooking the valley. The runes were meant to bring sorrow and blight to Anlaf and his kin. The child of Anlaf and Gudrun, Elfwyn, is born blind due to the corrupt influence of the runes. The hidden folk see her plight and bestow upon her a second sight. However, Gorm returns this time bringing a "Gift" of a giant crystal. As Anlaf and his tribe stare into it, they see visions of dreams unattainable and are filled with discontent. Under the power of the crystal the tribe grows foolish. Their only hope for salvation is young Elfwyn, protected from the crystal by her blindness. With time ticking down as Grom prepares to invade, Elfwyn must find a way to not only save herself, but all that she holds dear.The illtrations are astounding, and this book will hold you firm