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Blood and Judgment
Will Sverdrup's role as Hamlet in an amateur production of Shakepeare's play takes on a bizarre twist when he and his fellow actors are swept back in time, into the body of the historical Hamlet and other real-life members of the cast in sixth-century Denmark, where they must play out their roles and try to save their lives. Original.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 2003
26 people want to read
About the author
Lars Walker
19 books30 followersWalker is a native of Kenyon, Minnesota and lives in Minneapolis. He has worked as a crabmeat packer in Alaska, a radio announcer, a church secretary and an administrative assistant and is presently librarian and bookstore manager for the schools of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations in Plymouth, Minnesota. He is the author of "The Year of the Warrior" and other novels and is the editor of the journal of the Georg Sverdrup Society. Walker says, I never believed that God gave me whatever gifts I have in order to entertain fellow Christians. I want to confront the world with the claims of Jesus Christ.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 13, 2020
Imagine Hamlet. Now as a robust Viking man of action. That is a book worth reading!
Now, imagine actors in a world in the not-too-distant future. Basically without mental anchor or moral compass. Then suddenly they fall into a world as undefined and frightening as their own inconsistencies. Again, a book worth reading.
But then Blood and Judgment adds a few more layers, as weak men must choose between courage and complacency, humanity and survival. A few Norse Old Ones pop up. Doors between worlds are opened and closed. Viking Hamlet, Amlodd, cannot feign madness and so agrees to gain a feigning mind, effectively switching bodies with one of the actors! Oh, it was delightful!
Again, Lars Walker sets Christianity within a fantasy context of interconnected worlds, among primarily non-believers. Again, there’s sex, violence, and much to remind us that evil is very real. Even so, it’s the kind of Christian fiction I prefer. Bold in its presentation of both sin and salvation. Ultimately it asks, whose blood and judgment would you prefer? I sure know my answer for that!
Now, imagine actors in a world in the not-too-distant future. Basically without mental anchor or moral compass. Then suddenly they fall into a world as undefined and frightening as their own inconsistencies. Again, a book worth reading.
But then Blood and Judgment adds a few more layers, as weak men must choose between courage and complacency, humanity and survival. A few Norse Old Ones pop up. Doors between worlds are opened and closed. Viking Hamlet, Amlodd, cannot feign madness and so agrees to gain a feigning mind, effectively switching bodies with one of the actors! Oh, it was delightful!
Again, Lars Walker sets Christianity within a fantasy context of interconnected worlds, among primarily non-believers. Again, there’s sex, violence, and much to remind us that evil is very real. Even so, it’s the kind of Christian fiction I prefer. Bold in its presentation of both sin and salvation. Ultimately it asks, whose blood and judgment would you prefer? I sure know my answer for that!
June 28, 2025
C.S. Lewis described George MacDonald’s Phantastes as excellent for the story underneath the technical writing, rather than the writing itself. I think that is a good way to think about Blood and Judgement.
It wasn’t a long book, so it is hard to knock the pace, but it feels a bit clunky and unpolished. The introduction and description of characters was especially weak, though by the end each was fleshed out enough to enjoy a varied group dynamic. It was helpful to read this book as a dark comedy, whether it was intended as that or not.
Will is an English teacher teaching Hamlet, while starring in a local production of it as well. The intro classroom scenes help to remind the reader, but knowing Hamlet well probably increases enjoyment.. I do not. The book delves into the alternative theories of authorship, textual criticism, and the history Hamlet is based on to inspect themes of objective versus subjective morality and the meaning of life, suffering, and death.
I would recommend it, but it’s unexpectedly odd, even pushing it sometimes for my taste.
It wasn’t a long book, so it is hard to knock the pace, but it feels a bit clunky and unpolished. The introduction and description of characters was especially weak, though by the end each was fleshed out enough to enjoy a varied group dynamic. It was helpful to read this book as a dark comedy, whether it was intended as that or not.
Will is an English teacher teaching Hamlet, while starring in a local production of it as well. The intro classroom scenes help to remind the reader, but knowing Hamlet well probably increases enjoyment.. I do not. The book delves into the alternative theories of authorship, textual criticism, and the history Hamlet is based on to inspect themes of objective versus subjective morality and the meaning of life, suffering, and death.
I would recommend it, but it’s unexpectedly odd, even pushing it sometimes for my taste.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2021
Deep and dark in a good way
Take a multiverse, add in a troll, some Old Ones, the text of Hamlet, and a few amateur actors and see what you come up with. “Blood and Judgment” goes DEEP into the dark world of ancient Denmark and comes out the other side (modern Minnesota) with a fundamentally changed protagonist.
Take a multiverse, add in a troll, some Old Ones, the text of Hamlet, and a few amateur actors and see what you come up with. “Blood and Judgment” goes DEEP into the dark world of ancient Denmark and comes out the other side (modern Minnesota) with a fundamentally changed protagonist.
March 29, 2013
This book takes the themes CS Lewis expounded on in
The Abolition of Man
(specifically the essay "Men Without Chests") and makes a wonderful story out of it. Most of the characters start out as people without chests, that is, they either over think everything they and others do or they act completely on their gut feelings. Lars Walker calls them "blood" (the instinct) and "judgment" (the brain).
However, what works best is the balance--that place between the fire of the blood and the cold calculations of the judgment.
This bit of philosophy is wrapped in a delightful tale of Hamlet, both the play and the historical figure whose life inspired the play.
However, what works best is the balance--that place between the fire of the blood and the cold calculations of the judgment.
This bit of philosophy is wrapped in a delightful tale of Hamlet, both the play and the historical figure whose life inspired the play.
August 7, 2018
I don't know if I'm the only person that categorizes books, but this is the first time I have encountered an author that writes books that fit into all three of my categories for books I like.
"The Year of the Warrior" falls into my "Mind-blowing, must own ASAP" list. It changed my life, and I want to read it over and over and over again... but only when I've prepared myself mentally and spiritually for it's depth.
"West Oversea" falls into my "Enjoyable, but I probably won't read it again" list. This kind of book is why I get books from the library first. That way I can enjoy a book, and return it if I'm only going to read it once, but buy it if I want to read it again.
"Blood and Judgment" falls into "Very fun, want to own so I can read whenever I want". I loved it! It incorporated all of my favorite things: Shakespeare, Sci-fi, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, and even a bit of Theology, but in such a way that was enjoyable and comprehensive. I would keep this book around for when I want something fun to gobble up over a weekend. Books I have already in this category include Frank Peretti's "The Oath", lots of Michael Crichton, and a couple Ted Dekkers. I would say this has better content, not quite as riveting a story. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a book in this category, indeed, I already have.
"The Year of the Warrior" falls into my "Mind-blowing, must own ASAP" list. It changed my life, and I want to read it over and over and over again... but only when I've prepared myself mentally and spiritually for it's depth.
"West Oversea" falls into my "Enjoyable, but I probably won't read it again" list. This kind of book is why I get books from the library first. That way I can enjoy a book, and return it if I'm only going to read it once, but buy it if I want to read it again.
"Blood and Judgment" falls into "Very fun, want to own so I can read whenever I want". I loved it! It incorporated all of my favorite things: Shakespeare, Sci-fi, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, and even a bit of Theology, but in such a way that was enjoyable and comprehensive. I would keep this book around for when I want something fun to gobble up over a weekend. Books I have already in this category include Frank Peretti's "The Oath", lots of Michael Crichton, and a couple Ted Dekkers. I would say this has better content, not quite as riveting a story. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a book in this category, indeed, I already have.
September 24, 2021
I bought this book because I'd read others by Lars Walker, his first book was a required book in college for my husband so I picked it up and read it too, so I could discuss it with him. This book is again working on historical facts and historical fiction from the Nordic region. I like that it is a book about a small town in Minnesota and that it is a time-traveling book, since I'm from one, and like the other. I don't think I would have read these books if my husband hadn't had them, but I'm glad I did because the author works hard at his craft, and makes you realize the truth about historical fantasies. After all history is rewritten every day by those who imagine that the past is more interesting than the future.
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January 9, 2010baen ebook
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews