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Icelandic Folk Legends: Tales of Apparitions, Outlaws, and Things Unseen
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 that of the good stepmother, "The Story of Himinbjörg". Throughout the book 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.
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First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 4, 2018
After just reading her other work The Little Book of the Hidden People this collection of Icelandic Folk Legends felt a bit flat. I liked the mixture of different folk characters potrayed but I really missed the short analysis after the stories which was given in her other work. The introduction and ending note were very informative and good, only the language was sometimes off. (And her utter honesty about not really researching some background info was refreshing yet negative at the same time)
March 29, 2021
This book was very okay. And slightly concerning.
April 2, 2022
I hate to give this two stars but it just wasn’t that great. I picked this up when we were in Iceland a couple of weeks ago and the back said it was recommended by some folks who did a great walking tour we went on so I thought I could trust their recommendation but apparently not. This book just wasn’t that good and these stories were well, I hate to say it, boring.
Oh well. Can’t win them all. I’m sure maybe they would have been better if they were told to me near a crackling fire by an Icelandic story teller and I was maybe 10.
2 “it was just okay” stars.
Oh well. Can’t win them all. I’m sure maybe they would have been better if they were told to me near a crackling fire by an Icelandic story teller and I was maybe 10.
2 “it was just okay” stars.
January 10, 2021
Entertaining,short and wonderously weird. Just as folk tales ought to be.
November 28, 2024
2.5
Me gustó pero la escritura es algo complicada, más las historias fueron muy bellas
Me gustó pero la escritura es algo complicada, más las historias fueron muy bellas
July 5, 2021
Wanted to enjoy it, but maybe folktales are just…stupid?
July 9, 2023
I recently saw an article about Iceland as a travel destination and it intrigued me. My partner had this book on the shelf from her holiday there. The collection is in a similar spirit to the Brothers Grimm folktales but on a smaller scale.
The written legends can be brief and vague, I assume they had more entertainment value being told or performed to children during long winters
Alda suggested that some of the legends could have begun as hallucinations from eating rancid flour and meal imported to Iceland.
The longest and most conventional ‘fairy tale’ was the Story of Himinbjörg. The other legends felt more like true stories that have been given a supernatural twist over time.
Interestingly there were two tales similar to the 4,000 year old German folk story of Rumpelstiltskin, featuring the “I’ll do you a favour if you can guess my name, if not I’ll take your first child” trope.
Legends of ogres that lived in caves and ate humans also made me wonder whether those stories evolved from real cannibalism. There was a cult-like gathering in ‘Hagridden’ involving menstrual blood which I can imagine had some sort of primitive reverence.
I would have liked to see an estimate of how old the legends were, or images of Icelandic scenery. Some real locations are said to be tied to events in the legends, such as in ‘Búkolla’, where the ogre climbed into a mountain and got stuck, turned to stone and is still there to this day.
The unusual folk history and presence of a museum dedicated to punk rock was enough to put Iceland on my travel radar.
The written legends can be brief and vague, I assume they had more entertainment value being told or performed to children during long winters
Alda suggested that some of the legends could have begun as hallucinations from eating rancid flour and meal imported to Iceland.
The longest and most conventional ‘fairy tale’ was the Story of Himinbjörg. The other legends felt more like true stories that have been given a supernatural twist over time.
Interestingly there were two tales similar to the 4,000 year old German folk story of Rumpelstiltskin, featuring the “I’ll do you a favour if you can guess my name, if not I’ll take your first child” trope.
Legends of ogres that lived in caves and ate humans also made me wonder whether those stories evolved from real cannibalism. There was a cult-like gathering in ‘Hagridden’ involving menstrual blood which I can imagine had some sort of primitive reverence.
I would have liked to see an estimate of how old the legends were, or images of Icelandic scenery. Some real locations are said to be tied to events in the legends, such as in ‘Búkolla’, where the ogre climbed into a mountain and got stuck, turned to stone and is still there to this day.
The unusual folk history and presence of a museum dedicated to punk rock was enough to put Iceland on my travel radar.
April 26, 2016
I picked this book up on the last day of a six-day tour of Iceland, and I am so glad that I did! During the trip, our guides would talk of elves, hidden people, giants, ogres, and trolls. They especially related these tales to the epic landscapes we journeyed through. I wanted to better understand these stories and take a piece of them home with me. This book was the perfect solution!
The introduction to the book provided insights into the history and context of the stories, as did the field guide. Originally an oral tradition, the stories were recorded in the 1800-1900s, and Sigmundsdóttir beautifully translated these stories into English. I enjoyed reading these tales, and I especially enjoyed Sigmundsdóttir's notes on the stories. After reading "Porgeir's Bull," I did find myself a bit confused. However, she notes that one is not alone if they are baffled by the tale and chalks the story up to possibly some rotten flour causing a hallucinatory state. My favorite tales were “Kraka the Ogre” and “The Story of Himinbjorg.”
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in becoming better acquainted with Icelandic folk legends and tales.
The introduction to the book provided insights into the history and context of the stories, as did the field guide. Originally an oral tradition, the stories were recorded in the 1800-1900s, and Sigmundsdóttir beautifully translated these stories into English. I enjoyed reading these tales, and I especially enjoyed Sigmundsdóttir's notes on the stories. After reading "Porgeir's Bull," I did find myself a bit confused. However, she notes that one is not alone if they are baffled by the tale and chalks the story up to possibly some rotten flour causing a hallucinatory state. My favorite tales were “Kraka the Ogre” and “The Story of Himinbjorg.”
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in becoming better acquainted with Icelandic folk legends and tales.
December 8, 2021
Iceland is a strange, strange place. Also, the Icelanders were totally tripping balls on rotten wheat when coming up with some of these stories.
December 3, 2020
Yet people survived. Not only did they feed their bodies, but they managed to feed their minds and spirits as well.
The stories translated by the author were, in my opinion, even more interesting and outlandish as in The Little Book of the Hidden People. Being dedicated to not only the Hidden People, but also all other kinds of apparitions and outlaws of Icelandic folklore, they are much more varied.
However, I did miss the author's notes and reflections that accompanied every tale in the other book, but which are only present for some of them here. For example, I would have appreciated her insight on the tale Hagridden, a tale in which a witch and her coven are taught to read from a book of dark magic by Lucifer himself. I think it would have been interesting to read about how it was adapted into Icelandic folklore since the author points out the stellar literacy rate in the Iceland of old among both men and women, and the demonization of women having access to knowledge seems to come from other european countries. Probably an example of an oicotype, which the autor explains is the phenomenon of folk tales traveling through the world and being adapted to the culture that receives them.
I also thought it was interesting that The Story of Himinbjörg is, as the author points out, an example of a fairy tale trope only present in Iceland, that of the Good Stepmother, as opposed to the frequent Wicked Stepmother, but I would have appreciated her theories as to why that particular archetype was developed in Iceland. I also think some elements of that tale could be an oicotype. Perchance, I read the Russian fairytale Maria Morevna yesterday, and in that tale a man named Alexis seeks out an old woman for help, the Baba Yaga, and garners the support of three animal species on the way, whose help he will receive later. In the Icelandic tale, Sigurður seeks out an old witch, Blákápa, and garners the support of three bird species on the way who will aid him later. I thought it was a neat coincidence for me to read them so close together.
All that to say : Icelandic folk tales are fascinating. Read this book.
The stories translated by the author were, in my opinion, even more interesting and outlandish as in The Little Book of the Hidden People. Being dedicated to not only the Hidden People, but also all other kinds of apparitions and outlaws of Icelandic folklore, they are much more varied.
However, I did miss the author's notes and reflections that accompanied every tale in the other book, but which are only present for some of them here. For example, I would have appreciated her insight on the tale Hagridden, a tale in which a witch and her coven are taught to read from a book of dark magic by Lucifer himself. I think it would have been interesting to read about how it was adapted into Icelandic folklore since the author points out the stellar literacy rate in the Iceland of old among both men and women, and the demonization of women having access to knowledge seems to come from other european countries. Probably an example of an oicotype, which the autor explains is the phenomenon of folk tales traveling through the world and being adapted to the culture that receives them.
I also thought it was interesting that The Story of Himinbjörg is, as the author points out, an example of a fairy tale trope only present in Iceland, that of the Good Stepmother, as opposed to the frequent Wicked Stepmother, but I would have appreciated her theories as to why that particular archetype was developed in Iceland. I also think some elements of that tale could be an oicotype. Perchance, I read the Russian fairytale Maria Morevna yesterday, and in that tale a man named Alexis seeks out an old woman for help, the Baba Yaga, and garners the support of three animal species on the way, whose help he will receive later. In the Icelandic tale, Sigurður seeks out an old witch, Blákápa, and garners the support of three bird species on the way who will aid him later. I thought it was a neat coincidence for me to read them so close together.
All that to say : Icelandic folk tales are fascinating. Read this book.
August 13, 2017
A compilation of folk legends which have been transmitted orally for centuries among the Icelanders. They are short, quirky, and random. Some stories will leave you perplexed and wondering what on earth you just read (Hagridden), some will leave you praising the kindheartedness and resourcefulness of the characters (The Story of Himinbjörg). Many involve trolls, ogres, hidden people, sorcerers, or deacons. A helpful insight into what has (and is) considered an intrinsic part of Icelandic culture.
September 1, 2019
[Audible version]
I will be revisiting this book in regular print form eventually, mostly because the audio form just didn’t work for me. Alda Sigmundsdóttir, who is both author and narrator, does a wonderful job and has the perfect voice for narration, but I did find my mind drifting quite a bit, and I think I would have been more rapt had I been reading the physical book.
That said, the stories are fun and as someone who is currently taking lessons in Icelandic, it was marvelous to hear her pronunciation of certain Icelandic words and places.
3.5 stars
I will be revisiting this book in regular print form eventually, mostly because the audio form just didn’t work for me. Alda Sigmundsdóttir, who is both author and narrator, does a wonderful job and has the perfect voice for narration, but I did find my mind drifting quite a bit, and I think I would have been more rapt had I been reading the physical book.
That said, the stories are fun and as someone who is currently taking lessons in Icelandic, it was marvelous to hear her pronunciation of certain Icelandic words and places.
3.5 stars
January 1, 2021
This is a fun little book of Icelandic myths. The author lends an interesting commentary on the tales and it was delightful hearing about the hidden folk and a story about a good, rather than wicked, step mother. It was rather short at only a little over 100 pages, yet there is a lot in those pages with stories I had never heard or dreamt before. I’d recommend it for fans of fables and myths, for those that walk in the cold wild places in their crisp dreams.
June 29, 2022
It does what it says on the tin. The author recounts a few folktales without analysis and without color. She explains a bit in the beginning that this book is basically a grouping of translations she did for an article, and that they are not necessarily the most beloved or well known.
A lot of them were very strange, but it was a fun, short read that allows the reader to experience a bit of Icelandic folklore.
A lot of them were very strange, but it was a fun, short read that allows the reader to experience a bit of Icelandic folklore.
November 11, 2023
This is a collection of short stories that the author collected and translated from an oral Icelandic tradition. They are very similar in type to the fairy tales of Germany (Grimm's) and Denmark (Hans Christian Andersen). They have magic and ogres and mysterious happenings. One unusual aspect involves characters known as the "hidden people" who dwell inside rock formations or inside mountains.
It's an interesting look at the stories of from a different and not so well-known culture.
It's an interesting look at the stories of from a different and not so well-known culture.
July 29, 2023
Delightful Read!
On a recent trip to Iceland and Greenland I brought this book with me. It was a perfect companion and really helped create a great mood for travel. I learned a lot about Icelandic culture and the the power of these stories to sustain them on long winter nights. Excellent!
On a recent trip to Iceland and Greenland I brought this book with me. It was a perfect companion and really helped create a great mood for travel. I learned a lot about Icelandic culture and the the power of these stories to sustain them on long winter nights. Excellent!
May 31, 2025
A pretty good read as long as you're expecting the short and simple nature of folk tales. This book has really kept the stories in the brief, fireside form they would have been told in. No embellishments. Very little in the way of analysis. But a nice collection of little stories for the reader to chew on.
August 26, 2018
Short, random, and to-the-point Icelandic tales. As the author states in the intro, these were most likely best recounted orally. An interesting quick-read, but probably not something I’ll want to read over and over.
December 14, 2019
Another great book from Alda Sigmundsdottir. Her insights into what were the inspirations and reasonings behind these tales are again, humorous and entirely believable. The book is a quick read and you will find it fascinating. I can’t wait to read all of her books!
February 27, 2019
This is a super fun collection of folk tales.
December 19, 2019
A light, fun little book, could've been more excitingl if I had an Icelandic granny who would tell me these stories..!
January 13, 2021
Kind of so-so
There was a story almost identical to rumpelstiltskin
Not enough stories
There was a story almost identical to rumpelstiltskin
Not enough stories
May 26, 2021
Love some good weird stories from one of my favorite places on the planet.
November 15, 2021
Simple and different. Interesting.
March 12, 2022
3.5 stars
June 24, 2022
These old stories sure are goofy! How does a cow even do that?!
October 4, 2022
Love the straightforward translation of the folk tales and the curious turns of phrase that may be elements of translation or just Icelandic speech.
March 29, 2024
It added charm and interest to our trips to Iceland.
August 16, 2024
The introduction was interesting but I would have loved more insights into the different stories especially because some are so different from the more popular fairy tales.
December 19, 2024
Quite interesting but also quite dull
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews