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Curse of the Viking Grave
The popular sequel to his award-winning Lost in the Barrens, this is Farley Mowat�s suspense-filled story of how Awasin, Jamie and Peetryuk, three adventure-prone boys, stumble upon a cache of Viking relics in an ancient tomb somewhere in the north of Canada. Packed with excitement and with little-known information about the customs of Viking explorers, this story of survival portrays the bond of youthful friendship and the wonders of a virtually unexplored land.
243 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1966
16 people are currently reading
411 people want to read
About the author
Farley Mowat
118 books650 followersFarley McGill Mowat was a conservationist and one of Canada's most widely-read authors.
Many of his most popular works have been memoirs of his childhood, his war service, and his work as a naturalist. His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books.
Mowat studied biology at the University of Toronto. During a field trip to the Arctic, Mowat became outraged at the plight of the Ihalmiut, a Caribou Inuit band, which he attributed to misunderstanding by whites. His outrage led him to publish his first novel, People of the Deer (1952). This book made Mowat into a literary celebrity and was largely responsible for the shift in the Canadian government's Inuit policy: the government began shipping meat and dry goods to a people they previously denied existed.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship RV Farley Mowat was named in honour of him, and he frequently visited it to assist its mission.
Many of his most popular works have been memoirs of his childhood, his war service, and his work as a naturalist. His works have been translated into 52 languages and he has sold more than 14 million books.
Mowat studied biology at the University of Toronto. During a field trip to the Arctic, Mowat became outraged at the plight of the Ihalmiut, a Caribou Inuit band, which he attributed to misunderstanding by whites. His outrage led him to publish his first novel, People of the Deer (1952). This book made Mowat into a literary celebrity and was largely responsible for the shift in the Canadian government's Inuit policy: the government began shipping meat and dry goods to a people they previously denied existed.
The Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship RV Farley Mowat was named in honour of him, and he frequently visited it to assist its mission.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 23, 2021
Mowat paints a picture. The barren and wind swept north, the rushing rapids, the pulling of the dog teams, and spectacular views. I love a good Mowat story. I read several as a youngster, and had forgotten how exciting they were.
September 25, 2014
Several years ago, when our boys were little, we watched a couple of Feature Films for Families movies entitled Lost in the Barrens and its sequel, The Curse of the Viking Grave, both based on Farley Mowat’s books of the same names. I have previously read and reviewed Lost in the Barrens in which sixteen year old Jamie Macnair had to leave his Toronto, Ontario, school after his parents died, and went to live with his uncle Angus Macnair, who made his living as a fur trapper and trader, at Macnair Lake in far north Manitoba, where he makes friends with Awasin Meewasin, the son of the local Woodland Cree Indian band chief. Jamie and Awasin go with some Chipeweyans on a deer hunt into the Barrens near Eskimo territory but get separated from the hunting party when they make a side trip to see the “Great Stone House” and must spend the dangerous winter season by themselves in the solitary north lands, eventually returning with another friend, Peetyuck Anderson, a part Eskimo boy whose English trapper father had died. Mowat, who also wrote Owls in the Family (1962), a semi-autobiographical book about his childhood, passed away in May of this year.
In The Curse of the Viking Grave, Uncle Angus goes off to sell some of his furs, comes down with a serious case of influenza, and is being treated as a charity patient. When Jamie hears of this, he gets the idea of returning to the “Great Stone House” to retrieve some of the Viking relics with the hope of selling them to a museum for money to pay for his uncle’s treatment. So the three boys, along with Awasin’s sister Angeline, set off on their mission. However, they learn that the police are after Jamie to put him in foster care. And they find that some of the Eskimos are none too keen on desecrating the Viking grave because of an old curse. Will the youngsters get caught? Can they make it to the “Great Stone House,” or will the Eskimos keep them from it? And how will four teenagers get to Churchill all by themselves to sell the relics? As for language, the “d” word is used once. There are some common euphemisms (darn, heck, gosh), along with the phrases “ye gods” and “devils of hell,” and a couple of references to smoking pipes. However, this story of survival is packed with excitement and contains little-known information about the customs of Viking explorers and the hunting methods of the Eskimos. It also portrays the bond of youthful friendship and the wonders of a virtually unexplored land.
In The Curse of the Viking Grave, Uncle Angus goes off to sell some of his furs, comes down with a serious case of influenza, and is being treated as a charity patient. When Jamie hears of this, he gets the idea of returning to the “Great Stone House” to retrieve some of the Viking relics with the hope of selling them to a museum for money to pay for his uncle’s treatment. So the three boys, along with Awasin’s sister Angeline, set off on their mission. However, they learn that the police are after Jamie to put him in foster care. And they find that some of the Eskimos are none too keen on desecrating the Viking grave because of an old curse. Will the youngsters get caught? Can they make it to the “Great Stone House,” or will the Eskimos keep them from it? And how will four teenagers get to Churchill all by themselves to sell the relics? As for language, the “d” word is used once. There are some common euphemisms (darn, heck, gosh), along with the phrases “ye gods” and “devils of hell,” and a couple of references to smoking pipes. However, this story of survival is packed with excitement and contains little-known information about the customs of Viking explorers and the hunting methods of the Eskimos. It also portrays the bond of youthful friendship and the wonders of a virtually unexplored land.
July 9, 2018
Хорошая подростковая приключенческая повесть с небольшим экскурсом в историю. Походя затрагивает проблемы расизма и сексизма, выводы по большей части предоставляет делать читателю. Немного не завершенная: приключение окончено, но добились ли герои своих основных целей, не ясно. В целом же, мир крайнего севера и населяющих его людей описан с любовью, характеры героев заметно отличаются (ну почти), эволюция главного героя имеется (существенная, пусть и не кардинальная).
January 14, 2018
I can’t believe I’ve never read these books. Great fun!
July 25, 2012
This is the sequel to "Lost in the Barrens" (1956), written in the mid-1960s. Both books tell the story of a youth who is orphaned and sent to be with his trapper/outdoorsman uncle up in the far north of Canada. In this volume, the southern authorities appear on the scene, wishing to remove the still underage central character back to the south, for "his own good." In company with an Indian girl and an Eskimo lad, our hero sets off into the northern wilderness, trying to keep one step ahead of the police. Mowat then brings in the story of an old Viking grave which he had already woven into the first volume. What follows is a voyage of discovery during which the three members of the team help each other to overcome the hardship of the land, as they travel down a river road known only in the folk lore of the northern tribes, and not used in generations. The story hangs finally on this question: will they make it?
It is a thrilling journey and a fine novel and if your children don't appreciate it, I'm sure you will. It's a fascinating journey into native cultures as well, although I believe there is some debate about what right a man like Farley Mowat has to even get involved with "their" culture. For me, the sensitivity of books like this one, whether towards man or the environment, speaks volumes by itself.
It is a thrilling journey and a fine novel and if your children don't appreciate it, I'm sure you will. It's a fascinating journey into native cultures as well, although I believe there is some debate about what right a man like Farley Mowat has to even get involved with "their" culture. For me, the sensitivity of books like this one, whether towards man or the environment, speaks volumes by itself.
November 13, 2020
Two Against the North, or in its less evocative title, Lost in the Barrens, is a very good adventure story, but now I think I may actually like this sequel even more. Good old Jamie and Awasin are back, with Uncle Angus and their Inuit-English friend Peetyuk. Awasin's sister Angeline is the only female protagonist, but every bit as clever and capable as the boys.
The plot, pacing, and writing of this book are done well and altogether add up to an absorbing adventure story. All four heroes are consistent and distinctive. Jamie's impulsive nature tends to clash with Angeline's iron will and unshakeable self-confidence, while good-natured Peetyuk and cautious, analytical Awasin are great contrasts to them. Their interactions, whether tense or companionable, added another layer to the story and balanced the action with introspection.
The plot is much more than just an adventure and survival story; it is enriched by themes of culture shock, superstition, and prejudice. The themes are introduced in an organic and accessible way. And Farley Mowat's deep respect for both the people and animals of the Arctic comes through beautifully, never condescending or insincere. The ending was too rushed for me, but The Curse of the Viking Grave is an intelligent yet gripping adventure with lovable characters. I highly recommend it!
The plot, pacing, and writing of this book are done well and altogether add up to an absorbing adventure story. All four heroes are consistent and distinctive. Jamie's impulsive nature tends to clash with Angeline's iron will and unshakeable self-confidence, while good-natured Peetyuk and cautious, analytical Awasin are great contrasts to them. Their interactions, whether tense or companionable, added another layer to the story and balanced the action with introspection.
The plot is much more than just an adventure and survival story; it is enriched by themes of culture shock, superstition, and prejudice. The themes are introduced in an organic and accessible way. And Farley Mowat's deep respect for both the people and animals of the Arctic comes through beautifully, never condescending or insincere. The ending was too rushed for me, but The Curse of the Viking Grave is an intelligent yet gripping adventure with lovable characters. I highly recommend it!
February 28, 2013
Jamie and Awasin are still up to their adventures, but they are joined by a red-haired Eskimo boy, Peetyuk. The three of them find out that the Chipewayantribe in the north has been struck with a plague going around, and are desperately in need of help. the boys decide to help care for them while Angus goes south to the Pas to find medical help. while in the Pas though, Angus falls sick, and the boys, along with Awasin's sister Angeline, must find a way to care for the Chipewayans and pay for Angus' care, while hiding Jamie from authorities that want to take him away. The boys decide to go find the viking relics they stumbled upon in the first book. The three boys and Angeline must deal with bitter cold, hunger, fatigue, and worst of all, mosquitoes, as they head out in the still cold summer of the barrens to try to find a solution to their troubles.
I said in my comments on Lost In The Barrens that Farley Mowat's book was impossible to live up to. Well, it appears that I lied! This one is just as good, maybe even better, as it hold suspense, drama and action all wrapped in one, well-written, colorful tale of northern Canada! i would strongly recommend this book to anyone that likes to sit and read for hours, because you won't be able to put it down!
I said in my comments on Lost In The Barrens that Farley Mowat's book was impossible to live up to. Well, it appears that I lied! This one is just as good, maybe even better, as it hold suspense, drama and action all wrapped in one, well-written, colorful tale of northern Canada! i would strongly recommend this book to anyone that likes to sit and read for hours, because you won't be able to put it down!
July 8, 2016
Great book for reading with your son.
November 10, 2020
This book features Inuit culture heavily, and I can't speak to whether the portrayal is accurate or not, or whether the Inuit people generally approve of this representation - especially the book's use of the term "Eskimo", which is no longer considered culturally sensitive. I am well aware that despite the spotlight the book shines on indigenous people, the story still revolves around a white boy, who seems to act as the leader of their little four-man team, despite being the least knowledgeable person in the group. And I know that Mowat has a terrible reputation for playing fast and loose with the facts, and I have no real ability to judge the quality of the story's claims. Is that what caribou do? Is that what the spring melt looks like? Even if he's not lying, it's tough to tell where the genuine way-of-things up north gives way to the fiction of the story - are there Viking graves up there?
As a young teen, I didn't like this book as much as its predecessor, but upon re-reading it as an adult, there are definitely themes running through that I appreciate more now: Jamie's ongoing conflicts with Awasin and Peetyuk over spiritual matters, for one. Also, Jamie's eternal sexism, while making him annoying, also makes for real tension - a clash of culture and values that doesn't get all easily cleaned up by the book's end, but that nevertheless does diminish as Jamie becomes (a little) more sympathetic to indigenous beliefs and sees how bad-ass Angeline really is. The plight of the Ihalmiut also went over my head the first time I read it. This time around, the internet told me that despite the efforts of these fictional characters, the real Ihalmiut ultimately were lost as a people within Peetyuk's lifetime - a sad ending that Peetyuk and Awasin predicted and did kind of hold their dear friend Jamie to be indirectly a part of causing.
As for the fun bits - I love Peetyuk, our dear hot-blooded Inuit boy. I love the fact that I can actually see and trace the canoe routes and camping places on Google Maps! I love the setting - the brutal, beautiful north. And even after a decade of not touching the book, some scenes still remained vivid in my head - Angeline going after the gun, the group being eaten by swarms of bugs, Josh Fudge and his binoculars! These characters definitely make me feel just how useless I'd be in a survival situation. Very glad for the re-read. Will be keeping this book for a long, long time.
P.S. I AM a little annoyed, though, that Jamie, who was 17 in the first book, somehow regressed to "almost 16" a year later in this sequel.
As a young teen, I didn't like this book as much as its predecessor, but upon re-reading it as an adult, there are definitely themes running through that I appreciate more now: Jamie's ongoing conflicts with Awasin and Peetyuk over spiritual matters, for one. Also, Jamie's eternal sexism, while making him annoying, also makes for real tension - a clash of culture and values that doesn't get all easily cleaned up by the book's end, but that nevertheless does diminish as Jamie becomes (a little) more sympathetic to indigenous beliefs and sees how bad-ass Angeline really is. The plight of the Ihalmiut also went over my head the first time I read it. This time around, the internet told me that despite the efforts of these fictional characters, the real Ihalmiut ultimately were lost as a people within Peetyuk's lifetime - a sad ending that Peetyuk and Awasin predicted and did kind of hold their dear friend Jamie to be indirectly a part of causing.
As for the fun bits - I love Peetyuk, our dear hot-blooded Inuit boy. I love the fact that I can actually see and trace the canoe routes and camping places on Google Maps! I love the setting - the brutal, beautiful north. And even after a decade of not touching the book, some scenes still remained vivid in my head - Angeline going after the gun, the group being eaten by swarms of bugs, Josh Fudge and his binoculars! These characters definitely make me feel just how useless I'd be in a survival situation. Very glad for the re-read. Will be keeping this book for a long, long time.
P.S. I AM a little annoyed, though, that Jamie, who was 17 in the first book, somehow regressed to "almost 16" a year later in this sequel.
May 5, 2018
I enjoyed this book even though I still disliked Jamie. I would love to give more details but the book was published by one of the big five publishing houses (see below).
Note: I used togive full reviews for all of the books that I rated on GR. However, GR's new giveaway policies (Good Reads 2017 November Giveaways Policies Changes) have caused me to change my reviewing decisions. These new GR policies seem to harm smaller publishing efforts in favour of providing advantage to the larger companies (GR Authors' Feedback), the big five publishers (Big Five Publishers). So, because of these policies from now on I will be supporting smaller publishing effort by only giving full reviews to books published by: companies outside the big five companies, indie publishers, and self-published authors. This book was published by one of the big five companies so will not receive a more detailed review by me.
Note: I used togive full reviews for all of the books that I rated on GR. However, GR's new giveaway policies (Good Reads 2017 November Giveaways Policies Changes) have caused me to change my reviewing decisions. These new GR policies seem to harm smaller publishing efforts in favour of providing advantage to the larger companies (GR Authors' Feedback), the big five publishers (Big Five Publishers). So, because of these policies from now on I will be supporting smaller publishing effort by only giving full reviews to books published by: companies outside the big five companies, indie publishers, and self-published authors. This book was published by one of the big five companies so will not receive a more detailed review by me.
June 1, 2017
This book was okay, but I couldn’t really get into it. It wasn’t really about the Viking cache despite the title, they only get to it very late in. And then you don’t really find out anything about the Vikings and I was lost on what happened after that. The characters were also more annoying in this book. They’d go back and forth with bickering at each other and treating each other like crap (like how Jamie treated Angeline for being a girl, or how the three of them treated Jamie for being white…because you know, what’s a multiculturalism book without a little white-bashing), and then making up suddenly out of the blue. Rinse and repeat. The first book was good. This could’ve been a lot better.
February 4, 2018
A good successor to Lost in the Barrens, also by Farley Mowatt. In the same vein, The Curse of the Viking Grave is a story of travel, adventure, and survival. It's an enjoyable collection of culture, improvisation, emotion, and drive.
The story followed nicely from the first book, but I found the ending unsatisfying. The final chapter built up in me some expectations for further details, yet kind of just cut off. I would have liked another chapter or an epilogue to wrap up the story.
The story followed nicely from the first book, but I found the ending unsatisfying. The final chapter built up in me some expectations for further details, yet kind of just cut off. I would have liked another chapter or an epilogue to wrap up the story.
January 24, 2021
A typical Farley Mowat adventure set in the Arctic. The title is a bit deceiving since the Viking grave is the impetus for the adventure, but the action and information about the grave doesn't take up a large part in the book. Great wilderness man against nature and interpersonal conflicts often based on the cultural background of the characters and a strong female character for our young adventure seekers to hold onto. The book was published in the 1960s and I would love to know how its treatment of Arctic natives is currently received.
September 7, 2023
After reading Lost in the Barrens, most readers would be waiting anxiously to see how these young men fared as they continued their journey. When the sister of the Indigenous youth joined the trio, their lives took on a more serious route as they needed to help not only the Eskimo people of which Pete had come, but Jamie's uncle who had fallen ill reaching out to help the sick Indian peoples. The race to recover the Viking relics and then reach the Hudson's Bay took the 4 youth over some incredible ground. I really enjoyed Farley Mowat's narration of these two books.
April 19, 2021
The Curse of the Viking Grave paints a beautiful picture of the barren lands. It gives me a peak into life in the barren's and the people who live their. I learned a lot from this book, some traditions and fun facts.
I didn't realize this was going to make my top 15 books that I have read but it has. When I firt picked up the book I thought it would be a mediocre book. One the was ok but not thrilling. I was terribly wrong though. This book is packed with adventure and lessons!
I didn't realize this was going to make my top 15 books that I have read but it has. When I firt picked up the book I thought it would be a mediocre book. One the was ok but not thrilling. I was terribly wrong though. This book is packed with adventure and lessons!
July 10, 2023
I love this sequel to Lost in the Barrens. Mowat paints beautiful pictures of the dogs pulling sleds, canoes rowing across gentle lakes, etc.
I also noticed the similarities of some details in this book to some of his other books. The description of the lifestyle and calm temperateness of wolves to Never Cry Wolf. His fascination with water, the sea, and boats to The Boat Who Wouldn't Float and The Dog Who Wouldn't Be. And I'm sure I could find a few more if I had more of his books.
I also noticed the similarities of some details in this book to some of his other books. The description of the lifestyle and calm temperateness of wolves to Never Cry Wolf. His fascination with water, the sea, and boats to The Boat Who Wouldn't Float and The Dog Who Wouldn't Be. And I'm sure I could find a few more if I had more of his books.
March 27, 2025
We read this alongside a Viking Unit, but didn't realize until part way through, it's actually the sequel to Farley Mowats famous Lost in the Barrens, with two of the same characters.
My kids loved this book.
It's somewhat slow, but packed full of fascinating information about survival and culture. Plus it's set in Canada!
Farley Mowat has a way of weaving funny bits into an otherwise very mature read.
My kids loved this book.
It's somewhat slow, but packed full of fascinating information about survival and culture. Plus it's set in Canada!
Farley Mowat has a way of weaving funny bits into an otherwise very mature read.
December 11, 2025
I love reading about places I'll likely never go -- and there is a very high chance that I'll never be backpacking through the barrenlands of northern Manitoba and Nunavut. Mowat does such a good job of detailing an unfamiliar landscape for readers. Kids loved hearing about the further adventures of Peetyuk, Jamie, and the Meewasin siblings. A good sequel to Lost in the Barrens, though perhaps a little less dramatic and exciting.
April 24, 2020
Sequel to Lost in the Barrens, this is a great adventure story for all ages. Four teenagers (two Cree, one white, one Inuit) make a long and dangerous journey across the arctic. The Inuit are sometimes called Eskimo, but the book was written in 1967, and there is nothing in the story that would be insulting to native people.
July 19, 2024
Pg. 104, Chapter 12 “the Viking Bow” is an awesome story
Another one of Farley’s classic tales, I certainly want to read both the prequel and a sequel of a sequel exists. Probably would’ve been more captivating if it was a more rugged tale, in my opinion. Far worse than the Boat Who Wouldn’t Float and slightly worse than Never Cry Wolf.
Another one of Farley’s classic tales, I certainly want to read both the prequel and a sequel of a sequel exists. Probably would’ve been more captivating if it was a more rugged tale, in my opinion. Far worse than the Boat Who Wouldn’t Float and slightly worse than Never Cry Wolf.
December 29, 2018
Typical Mowat, great writing, excellent Canadiana and fabulous insight into the native cultures. This is the sequel to Lost in the Barrens and both books are aimed at youth but written to expand anyone's mind. Well worth the read.
September 17, 2020
More adventures in the far north penned by Farley Mowat. This is a sequel to “Lost in the Barrens“ and is set a year after that story, even though the book was not written until 10 years after that first book. Lots of fun and adventure with more canoeing action.
December 23, 2023
Oh another enjoyable read! I liked Lost in the Barrens more but if you have any interest in survival, the North West Territories, archeology, and history, this book is for you! Highly recommend it to anyone who knows an 8-12 year old that wants to read a tale of adventure.
September 21, 2025
I ended up doing a project on this book when I was in high school, not realizing that it was the sequel to another book, Lost in the Barrens.
Regardless, I always enjoyed stories that took place in settings in the far north, and this captivated my imagination at the time that I read it.
Regardless, I always enjoyed stories that took place in settings in the far north, and this captivated my imagination at the time that I read it.
November 30, 2018
Sequel to Two Against the North (also known as Lost in the Barrens). Another great read for young readers.
March 14, 2019
Read this many times as a kid (and adult). One of the greatest adventure stories of all time. In my opinion. Give it to your 10-14 year old (and then read it yourself).
Timeless
Timeless
October 22, 2019
Reminds me of something I’d have had to read in school as a kid. I love Farley Mowat’s writing and his descriptions of landscapes. I think I’d have loved this book as a kid.
November 24, 2020
An entertaining sequel to "Lost in the Barrens". I read this many years ago when I was young,
November 8, 2021
Very good for the older book that it was. Enjoyed the Canadian references. Felt like the story dragged on it spots but the characters were relatable and you cheered them on the entire time.
July 4, 2022
This is the sequel to "Lost in the Barrens". Although I didn't think the plot of "The Curse of the Viking Grave" was as strong as "Lost in the Barrens", it was still an enjoyable read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews