Author: Authors Various
Publisher: Abela Publishing Ltd
ISBN: 1907256636
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 146
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Book Description
Of the seven Icelandic short stories which appear here, the first was probably written early in the thirteenth century, while the rest all date from the early twentieth century. Since the 12th C. the Icelandic people have continued to tell stories and to compose poems with the greyness of commonplace existence made more bearable when listening to tales of the heroic deeds and sagas of the past. In those past evenings, the living-room (baostofa), built of turf and stone, became a little more cheerful, and hunger was forgotten, while a member of the household read, or sang, about far-away knights and heroes, and the banquets they gave in splendid halls. In their imagination people thus tended to make their environment seem larger, and better, than life, as did Hrolfur with his fishing-boat in the story When I was on the Frigate. So take some time out and travel back to a period before television and radio, a time when tales were passed on orally when families would gather around a crackling and spitting hearth and a family member would delight and captivate the gathering with stories passed on to them from their parents and grandparents and from time immemorial. The Norsemen who colonized Iceland in the last quarter of the ninth century brought with them the language then spoken throughout all of Scandinavia. This ancestor of the modern Scandinavian tongues has been preserved in Iceland with the oldest preserved Icelandic prose written almost 1000 years ago. Limited communications between Iceland and other countries, frequent migrations inside the island, and, not least important, a long and uninterrupted literary tradition has meant the Icelandic language has not developed any dialects in the ordinary sense. 33% of the net profit from the sale of this book will be donated to charities, schools and special causes.
Author: Asgeir Petursson
Publisher: Prabhat Prakashan
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 90
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Book Description
Embark on a literary journey through the breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Iceland with "Seven Icelandic Short Stories" by Asgeir Petursson. Prepare to be transported to a land of myth and legend, where the human spirit grapples with nature's raw power and the mysteries of the unknown. Discover the captivating tales woven by Petursson as he explores themes of resilience, tradition, and the enduring bond between humanity and the natural world. Through his evocative prose and vivid imagery, readers are immersed in the unique atmosphere of Iceland, where ancient folklore and modern sensibilities collide. Each story in "Seven Icelandic Short Stories" offers a glimpse into the heart and soul of Icelandic culture, from the rugged beauty of its landscapes to the rich tapestry of its history and traditions. Petursson's keen eye for detail and deep understanding of his homeland bring to life the timeless struggles and triumphs of its people. Characterized by its stark beauty and haunting lyricism, "Seven Icelandic Short Stories" captivates readers with its exploration of the human condition and the mysteries of existence. Petursson's storytelling is both intimate and universal, offering readers a window into a world that is at once familiar and alien. Since its publication, "Seven Icelandic Short Stories" has garnered praise for its evocative writing and insightful exploration of Icelandic culture and identity. Petursson's collection is a testament to the power of storytelling to transcend boundaries and connect us to the world around us. As you delve into the pages of "Seven Icelandic Short Stories," you'll find yourself enchanted by the beauty and mystery of Iceland, where every story is a journey into the heart of the human experience. Petursson's collection is a celebration of the power of storytelling to illuminate the depths of the human soul and the wonders of the natural world. Don't miss your chance to experience the magic of "Seven Icelandic Short Stories." Let Asgeir Petursson's evocative tales transport you to a world of wonder and enchantment, where the spirit of Iceland comes alive on every page. Grab your copy now and embark on a journey through the timeless landscapes of the Icelandic imagination.
Author: Ásgeir Pétursson
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
ISBN: 1613105800
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 145
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Book Description
Author:
Publisher: Penguin UK
ISBN: 0141961422
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 162
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Book Description
Written around the thirteenth century AD by Icelandic monks, the seven tales collected here offer a combination of pagan elements tightly woven into the pattern of Christian ethics. They take as their subjects figures who are heroic, but do not fit into the mould of traditional heroes. Some stories concern characters in Iceland - among them Hrafknel's Saga, in which a poor man's son is murdered by his powerful neighbour, and Thorstein the Staff-Struck, which describes an ageing warrior's struggle to settle into a peaceful rural community. Others focus on the adventures of Icelanders abroad, including the compelling Audun's Story, which depicts a farmhand's pilgrimage to Rome. These fascinating tales deal with powerful human emotions, suffering and dignity at a time of profound transition, when traditional ideals were gradually yielding to a more peaceful pastoral lifestyle.
Author: Steigrumur J. Porsteinsson
Publisher: Tacet Books
ISBN: 3968588681
Category : Travel
Languages : en
Pages : 93
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Book Description
Icelanders have the highest literacy rates in the world. This is largely due to the rich literary tradition developed in this region. In this book, August Nemo brings seven short stories from different authors and periods so that you have an interesting overview of the story in Iceland. - The Story Of Audunn And The Bear by Anonymous. - A Dry Spell By Einar H. Kvaran. - The Old Hay by Guðmundur Friðjónsson. - When I Was On The Frigate by Jón Trausti. - Father And Son by Gunnar Gunnarsson. - The Fox Skin by Gudmundur G. Hagalin. - New Iceland by Halldor Kiljan Laxness. For more books with interesting themes, be sure to check the other books in this collection!
Author: Steingrímur J. Þorsteinsson
Publisher: Tacet Books
ISBN: 8577773760
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 109
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Book Description
Icelanders have the highest literacy rates in the world. This is largely due to the rich literary tradition developed in this region. In this book, August Nemo brings seven short stories from different authors and periods so that you have an interesting overview of the story in Iceland. - The Story Of Audunn And The Bear by Anonymous. - A Dry Spell By Einar H. Kvaran. - The Old Hay by Guðmundur Friðjónsson. - When I Was On The Frigate by Jón Trausti. - Father And Son by Gunnar Gunnarsson. - The Fox Skin by Gudmundur G. Hagalin. - New Iceland by Halldor Kiljan Laxness.
Author: Beatrix Potter
Publisher: Seven Books
ISBN: 3689954622
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 36
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Book Description
This is a Tale about a tail—a tail that belonged to a little red squirrel, and his name was Nutkin. He had a brother called Twinkleberry, and a great many cousins: they lived in a wood at the edge of a lake.
Author: Alda Sigmundsdóttir
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789935917737
Category : Folklore
Languages : en
Pages : 104
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Book Description
The Icelandic nation has a long and rich history of storytelling. Throughout centuries characterized by hardship, poverty and dark winters, the Icelanders kept their spirits high and moral values intact by telling each other stories. In this collection of 15 Icelandic folk legends, we get a glimpse of the world-view of the Icelanders in centuries past as they endeavored to understand and cope with the natural phenomena around them. There are stories of malicious ghosts, outlaws living in carved-out boulders, hidden people residing in grassy knolls, trolls that are tripped up by their own stupidity, and much more. In addition, there is one story exemplifying a fairy tale motif that scholars have discovered to be unique to Iceland: that of the good stepmother (The Story of Himinbjorg). Throughout we get a powerful sense of the Icelanders' beliefs, values and fears, as well as their strong need to cling to all that was pure and good. Twelve of these stories were previously published in physical form on two separate occasions. The book has been out of print for about four years. In this edition, an introduction has been added, as well as a "field guide" to the various apparitions that appear in the book, and three more stories.
Author: Jacqueline Simpson
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 9780520021167
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 224
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Book Description
A translated selection devoted to supernatural beings, ghosts, and magic practices.
Author: Halldor Laxness
Publisher: Vintage
ISBN: 0307426319
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 446
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Book Description
From the acclaimed Nobel Prize winner: At the close of the 17th century, Iceland is an oppressed Danish colony, suffering under extreme poverty, famine, and plague. A farmer and accused cord-thief named Jon Hreggvidsson makes a bawdy joke about the Danish king and soon after finds himself a fugitive charged with the murder of the king’s hangman. In the years that follow, the hapless but resilient rogue Hreggvidsson becomes a pawn entangled in political and personal conflicts playing out on a far grander scale. Chief among these is the star-crossed love affair between Snaefridur, known as “Iceland’s Sun,” a beautiful, headstrong young noblewoman, and Arnas Arnaeus, the king’s antiquarian, an aristocrat whose worldly manner conceals a fierce devotion to his downtrodden countrymen. As their personal struggle plays itself out on an international stage, Laxness creates a Dickensian canvas of heroism and venality, violence and tragedy, charged with narrative enchantment on every page. Sometimes grim, sometimes uproarious, and always captivating, Iceland's Ball is at once an updating of the traditional Icelandic saga and a caustic social satire.
