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The Deepest Sea
Bran Snorrison, a young Irish Viking bard, journeys through the turbulence and uncertainty of his eighth-century world, as a confrontation erupts between the old magic and the rise of the new Christian religion. Original.
512 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 24, 2011
Anachronistically delightful,
If you've ever sat by a bonfire, tankard in hand, and listened to Some "Snori-whats-his-father type" regale you with a NO-*hit!- there I was story; you'll recognize the delightfully anachronistic tone of The Deepest Sea. If you haven't perhaps you should; or at least read this book. The Deepest Sea is a fun a-viking romp, written by someone who obviously bothered to crack a book or two on the subject. Barnitz succeeds in giving you a feel for the period with-out falling back on creating psuedo-Nordic speech patterns in his narrative. One feels the protagonist may have simply lived long enough to tell his tale to modern audiences in their own tongue. I think this is a great approach and WOULD BE PLEASED TO FIND IT AGAIN. (Are you listening Charles Barnitz?) The story is Laugh-out-loud entertaining. Which for me, excuses the "NOT PERIOD!" elements. I'll take potatoes in the wrong place and time, for the "Three wishes" joke any day. To sum it up, I was much too busy enjoying this book to care much about any literary, historical, or grammatical flaws. Purist be Dashed! The Deepest Sea is a good story, well told, in a fun and original style! Write some more Barnitz, any subject, I'll read'em!
If you've ever sat by a bonfire, tankard in hand, and listened to Some "Snori-whats-his-father type" regale you with a NO-*hit!- there I was story; you'll recognize the delightfully anachronistic tone of The Deepest Sea. If you haven't perhaps you should; or at least read this book. The Deepest Sea is a fun a-viking romp, written by someone who obviously bothered to crack a book or two on the subject. Barnitz succeeds in giving you a feel for the period with-out falling back on creating psuedo-Nordic speech patterns in his narrative. One feels the protagonist may have simply lived long enough to tell his tale to modern audiences in their own tongue. I think this is a great approach and WOULD BE PLEASED TO FIND IT AGAIN. (Are you listening Charles Barnitz?) The story is Laugh-out-loud entertaining. Which for me, excuses the "NOT PERIOD!" elements. I'll take potatoes in the wrong place and time, for the "Three wishes" joke any day. To sum it up, I was much too busy enjoying this book to care much about any literary, historical, or grammatical flaws. Purist be Dashed! The Deepest Sea is a good story, well told, in a fun and original style! Write some more Barnitz, any subject, I'll read'em!
January 7, 2016
A rollicking viking saga with a humorous note and a surprise ending that left my mouth hanging open. I got off to a slow start due to term papers and finals, but once I had some free time I couldn't put the damn thing down. Hard to find -sadly, but if you can get a copy consider yourself well set for a good read.
April 20, 2016
Vikings with sex scenes and great dialogue.
Also magic, love, violence, laughter and stupidity you can swing an axe at.
Also magic, love, violence, laughter and stupidity you can swing an axe at.
December 14, 2017
https://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2917053.html
This had been on my list of science fiction and fantasy books set in Ireland for a very long time, and I must admit I've found so many of those books to be stereotypical Celtic misht rubbish that I was reluctant to pick this one off the shelf. My heart sank further when I was confronted with the maps at the front of the book: Uí Naíll? Ernhaim Macha? An umlaut in Eöganachta?? Where is Drogheda? Meanwhile, in the English Kindgoms (sic) Jarrow has mutated to Yarrow and moved to the wrong Newcastle. And I don't think Northumbria was exactly *there*.
But in fact it's much much better than I expected after this unpromising start. Barnitz has done a good job of a light-hearted historical fantasy novel set around the archipelago, with lots of different eight-century tribes and customs, which actually seemed to me to be straight historical fiction until the dragon came into the story about half way through. It’s a coming of age novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously but is nonetheless a fun read. I’d read more by this author.
This had been on my list of science fiction and fantasy books set in Ireland for a very long time, and I must admit I've found so many of those books to be stereotypical Celtic misht rubbish that I was reluctant to pick this one off the shelf. My heart sank further when I was confronted with the maps at the front of the book: Uí Naíll? Ernhaim Macha? An umlaut in Eöganachta?? Where is Drogheda? Meanwhile, in the English Kindgoms (sic) Jarrow has mutated to Yarrow and moved to the wrong Newcastle. And I don't think Northumbria was exactly *there*.
But in fact it's much much better than I expected after this unpromising start. Barnitz has done a good job of a light-hearted historical fantasy novel set around the archipelago, with lots of different eight-century tribes and customs, which actually seemed to me to be straight historical fiction until the dragon came into the story about half way through. It’s a coming of age novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously but is nonetheless a fun read. I’d read more by this author.
January 10, 2025
A rollicking Viking saga with a humorous note and a surprise ending. Hard to find - sadly - but one of my favorite books ever. I found it in a box of books that had been in my garage for about ten years - I have no idea where I got it but I’m so glad I did!
June 14, 2025
This is the best Fantasy book I have read in years. The main character is one of my favorite characters ever and the ending was truly memorable.
May 16, 2020
A great book - highest recommendation - took my tome reading it as I didn't want it to end.
November 4, 2007
This is the story of Bran Snorisonn, a 8th century Irish Viking, off to prove himself and earn a bride-price for his leader's sister. Though at times not the most lovable character, there is a unique goodness to him, and I became somewhat fond of him and his often ill-considered plans. His partner Catria on the other hand I loved every moment of. Most of this book had a feel very similar to Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire, not so much because of content but rather in its almost disconnected explaination of events that happened to the main character as if in the distant past.
Cons: When I started this book, I could not get into it. I found the main character obnoxious and the storyline a bit slow. Even having finished it I felt like this had been written by a hormonal 17 year old boy (perhaps that is the point as that is what the main character is).
Pros: I was completely blindsided by the ending. Afterwards I had to share my shock with my partner (who knows me quite well and just smiled and nodded). After all that I felt like I had misjudged the author, who had in one explanation made it all come together in a way I would never have thought of. This alone gave it an extra star than I would have given it otherwise.
Cons: When I started this book, I could not get into it. I found the main character obnoxious and the storyline a bit slow. Even having finished it I felt like this had been written by a hormonal 17 year old boy (perhaps that is the point as that is what the main character is).
Pros: I was completely blindsided by the ending. Afterwards I had to share my shock with my partner (who knows me quite well and just smiled and nodded). After all that I felt like I had misjudged the author, who had in one explanation made it all come together in a way I would never have thought of. This alone gave it an extra star than I would have given it otherwise.
October 20, 2014
A classic fantasy adventure closer to non-fiction than fantasy. Obviously this is a work of fictional characters in a rather accurate portrayal of 8th century vikings in Ireland, but it's also more than that. It's a vividly appealing story of one man's wyrd-his fate basically.
I read this book back in 2003 or somewheres around there, but recently picked it back up while working on a new novel myself. Mostly I wanted to reread how the action scenes were portrayed and how often there was dialogue rather than a narrator simply telling me what people thought and felt.
Regardless, this is a very good book and definitely worth reading. If you like vikings, sailing, and dragons, you'll do well to check this one out.
I read this book back in 2003 or somewheres around there, but recently picked it back up while working on a new novel myself. Mostly I wanted to reread how the action scenes were portrayed and how often there was dialogue rather than a narrator simply telling me what people thought and felt.
Regardless, this is a very good book and definitely worth reading. If you like vikings, sailing, and dragons, you'll do well to check this one out.
July 12, 2016
A classic
It's been almost 15 years since I first read this book and I can say it hasn't lost anything in that time. I guess historical fiction ages well. It's a story of an Irish Viking wandering around Britton in the late 8th century, after the Romans, before the Normans. What's not to love? Without spoiling anything Barnitz adds just the right amount of magic to give the story the fantasy kick it needs. Pick it up and give it a go. Make your own wyrd.
It's been almost 15 years since I first read this book and I can say it hasn't lost anything in that time. I guess historical fiction ages well. It's a story of an Irish Viking wandering around Britton in the late 8th century, after the Romans, before the Normans. What's not to love? Without spoiling anything Barnitz adds just the right amount of magic to give the story the fantasy kick it needs. Pick it up and give it a go. Make your own wyrd.
February 6, 2014
This is the third or fifth time I've read this novel and it loses nothing with each re-read. The odd anachronism used to irritate me until I realized they were deliberate - part of the salute to all the great
February 20, 2008
I love this book. The writing style is very fun and fluid, great character building. All the action, sorcery, and dragons you could imagine in a fantasty novel. I definitely want to read it again.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews