Hildur, Queen of the Elves and Other Stories: Icelandic Folktales

by J.M. Bedell

Out of the country’s fascinating geography and history emerge a plethora of poetic and imaginative Icelandic legends that hold a particular wary respect of nature, and a wry wisdom at turns gentle and sharp: that we human beings are mere tenants on earth, with no control over weather or ghosts or wild. On the one hand, these stories come out of the great wellspring of Scandinavian tales that have so influenced the Western imagination: Here are elves and trolls, ghosts, goblins, and monsters; drama and mystery and moral. But Iceland’s particular geography, its long nights and savage weather, also led to the development of a unique oral tradition, from which grew the famous Icelandic family sagas and stories.

Genres: Mythology, Fiction, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Classics, Short Stories, Scandinavian Literature

288 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2006

About the author

J.M. Bedell spent her childhood daydreaming in hayfields, talking to cows, and finding her heroes between the pages of books. She is a full-time writer of fiction and nonfiction for children. She received her MFA in creative writing from Hamline University in Minnesota. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and an assortment of farm animals.

Reviews

[Larissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of the books I shipped with me to Iceland with the intention of boning up on Icelandic mythology and folklore. It wasn't until just last week, however, that I finally cracked the volume, as part of research I was doing on Iceland's huldufólk (Hidden People) for an article that I was writing.

The introduction here by Terry Gunnell proved to be invaluable, with great context about the settings and environments that folktales would be told in, a characterization of huldufólk and 'huldufólk-lore' (my silly pun, not his), and information about Jón Árnason's collection of these tales in the mid-1800s.

The retellings by J.M. Bedell (those I've read thus far) are indeed engaging, as was his stated intention: "In an attempt to engage my readers, I kept most of the marvelous details translated in the cited texts...but retained the right to use all the techniques available to any storyteller of fiction—writing scenes, creating suspense and drama, and varying points of view."

My favorite huldufólk-tales in thus volume thus far have been "The Origin of the Hidden People," "The Father of Eighteen Elves," "The Elves' Dance on New Year's Eve," and, of course, the title story.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huldur is Queen of the Elves in this Icelandic folk tale, but her mother in law has put a spell on her because she didn't think Huldur was worthy of her son. So now she is a housekeeper in the real lands, and she can only return to the Elf Land once a year to see her husband if she kills the farmer's shepherd. Will the new shepherd be able to break the spell and allow Huldur to return to the land of the Elves?

A quaint folk tale that would be enjoyed by younger children.

[Csenge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book contains fifty-one Icelandic tales; most of them are legends, stories about events people believed to be true, featuring beliefs and creatures that are very prominent in Icelandic folklore. The stories are grouped according to these themes: There are separate chapters for Elves, Trolls, Ghosts, Water Monsters, Magicians, and other folktales. The tales have been translated from the Icelandic, and then re-told by the author; they provide and enjoyable reading experience, while retaining all the names and details that give them their unique flavor. There is an extensive Introduction by Terry Gunnell, who talks about the context of Icelandic legends, their cultural background, origins and collections, and the beliefs and customs they represent. He points out that Iceland was a culturally diverse country even in the middle ages, and therefore the stories show elements from Scandinavian, Celtic, and several other traditions. There is a list of sources at the end of the book, and each story comes with a citation of its original text. An interesting, enchanting, occasionally chilling read.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining, and also enlightening for the reader of Halldór Laxness.

[Sheelie Kittee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so interesting to read about some of the legends, folk tales and faerie tale-esque characters that have shaped the culture of Iceland. I will also venture to guess that similar elements of these stories exist in the cultures of other Nordic countries such as Denmark and Norway.

I love the idea of the hidden creatures, I didn't know 'trolls' were considered not very nice creatures, I found myself wondering more about the personalities of witches and ghosts. In the stories it was hard to tell if they were good or bad, or if it was somewhere in between, or if they were even allowed to have personalities independent from all others if, that makes sense. anyway! the stories are good and it might make you seize the opportunity to ride a horse. =)

[Doria · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good collection of Icelandic traditional tales, preceded by a lengthy but valuable ethnographic description of Icelandic life during the time period which produced most of these stories. Most are translated retelling a from earlier folklore collections, and are scrupulously credited as such. The stories are grouped by category, so the reader can delve deeply into ghost stories, elf stories, tales of water creatures or suchlike as they please.

Highly recommended for folklorists and aficionados of Icelandic culture, and anyone looking for some interesting read-aloud tales, as the pacing and length would lend themselves well for that purpose.

[Saartje · Rating 3 out of 5]

[b]3.5 Stars[/b]

Good collection of Icelandy folk- and fairytales. The book is seperated into different parts for a few of the most common Icelandic mythical creatures. This helps you understand the folklore, but tends to make it drag a bit since some stories are quite similar. As with any collection some stories are better than others. Good read for anyone who has been to Iceland or is going there soon. I absolutely love the way Icelandic folklore is closely connected to the landscape.

[Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful collection of Icelandic tales (my favorite being that of Hildur.) The only issue is that maybe it's a little TOO genuine - it sticks to a very direct, Icelandic form of storytelling that, in its brusqueness, comes off as dry at certain points. Otherwise, brilliant effort by the author.

[E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy these legends and folktales as well as I normally do such things. I found them very dark and nightmarish.

[Stephania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice account of icelandic legends and oral traditions, especially when they refer to Iceland's geography (volcanos, cliffs, etc). The elves legends are particularly interesting :)

[Alejandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

So cute! I would have like a bit more detail, maybe an introduction with more historical context? But an amazing overview as a whole.

[Issy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for school. Super cool collection of folklore from Iceland. I really enjoyed learning about the culture and analyzing the tales.

[Matthew Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

of monsters and men named Jón

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brevity of each legend makes it easy to pick up any time and the authenticity is palpable. These are not modern retellings. I can just imagine hearing one of these tales in passing, maybe after Sunday Mass, when so-and-so says, “Did you hear about that ghost over at Myrká? Gudrún saw it!”

[A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection was divided into sections (elves, trolls, ghosts, etc.), and I read it for the elves, but found the other sections to be useful and informative also. It was a good overview of legendary creatures in Iceland, and the introduction was also useful. Will buy this one.

[Deborah Brannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read my review of this book at Green Man Review.

[Kate S · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can I not give five stars to a book that contains the sentence "they decided to have some fun and create a supernatural bull." Well, sure!

Great fairy tales. Fun to read!

[Yasmeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting insight into some legends I had never heard before.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so dark!

[Andrea Floris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating stories of folklore from a truly magical place.