Hrolf Kraki's Saga

If you can read translated myths then you can read this book. That statement is a warning as this book is not an easy read, but it is a worthwhile read. The book IS NOT fantesy, as fantesy is completely created by the author. Rather this book is a retelling of the existing myth. I find it interesting that what seems to be the downfall of many a hero, is that they forget to worship the old gods. Effectively a mythological warning.

Poul Anderson took the Viking saga of Hrolf Kraki and crafted this magnificent fantasy novel from the legendary king's story. Hrolf was a sort of Arthurian equivalent of the northern folk tales and myths, but Anderson brought him to life in this novelized retelling of his exploits. Like much of northern mythology the story is dark in spots, dealing with such items as murderous sibling rivalry, incestuous relationships, and the common every day brutality that must have been common in the era that was rightly called "the Dark Ages". Even so, Anderson captured the heroic nature of the story, as well as the courageous outlook of the original saga recorders. The story is a myth retold, rather than historical fiction, although the opening framework sequence is set in historical times with a woman being asked to recount the old myths to a royal gathering during a feast time. Anderson also pens a good introduction which gives some of the historical and legendary background to the tale. Tales, rather, as the saga is actually a series of stories about several of the warriors who end up in the service of Hrolf. A final battle and glorious defeat mark the end of the story. Like much of Northern mythology there is courage and hope even in the face of tragedy and loss. The parallels to some of Arthurian legend seemed rather marked to me, and made me want to go back and reread some of those tales.In my mind this is what the best books do, they plant a seed which makes you want to read more. At his best, (and HROLF KRAKI is one of his best) Anderson does this. I've listed below some of his other books that are similar to HROLF KRAKI'S SAGA.Anderson was probably best know for his great science fiction, but he penned several fantasies and historical romances set in the Viking era and world. Besides HROLF KRAKI'S SAGA, I would also highly recommend THE BROKEN SWORD, THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS, THE KINGS OF YS, MOTHER OF KINGS, SIGN OF THE RAVEN, THE GOLDEN SLAVE, THE GOLDEN HORN, ROAD OF THE SEA HORSE, WAR OF THE GODS, THE MERMAN'S CHILDREN, THE DEMON OF SCATTERY (co-authored with Mildred Downey Broxon) and even THE HIGH CRUSADE (a science fiction story, but one in which medieval knights are captured by an advanced alien civilization, but turn the tables on their captors). Several of these books are still in print, while some others are out of print, but all are worth finding and reading. Let me restate "Highly recommended".

It took me a little while to find a copy of this book but it was well worth the wait. This story is a dark, fatalistic and ultimately moving retelling of the legend of the Scandinavian king, Hrolf Kraki. I highly recommend this work to those interested in Nordic culture as well as fans of fantasy.

In the tradition of high fantasy and magic, Poul Anderson here presents the translated tale of the heathen Danish king, Hrolf Kraki, a sort of pagan King Arthur. In the dark days of the very earliest middle ages (around the time of Beowulf), we find Hrolf king of a small Norse kingdom in what is today part of modern Denmark. Lord of the ancestors of the modern Danes, this unprepossessing ruler of men gathers about him the heroes of his day (or so legend apparently had it) and creates a brief golden age in a violent time. But Hrolf is star-crossed, the product of an unfortunate liaison between unhappy lovers (he is both son and brother to his mother) and scion of a family of violent and bloody strivers, a hero who, in the end, must defend all he has against the predations of his kin. In the process he has numerous adventures, confronts dark magic and builds a court of war-like champions. It's an episodic story which largely tracks the original saga itself (since another version, translated by the scholar Gwyn Jones, is almost the same although somewhat briefer). But it's a nicely told, fast-paced tale and, if Anderson translated it himself, he did a great job of it, turning it into a book in the genre of modern fantasy. Worth the read for anyone who likes fantasy . . . or sagas. SWM author of The King of Vinland's Saga