Elves and Hidden People

by Hannes Hólmsteinn Gissurarson (Editor)

Genres: Folklore, Mythology, Short Stories, Fantasy

58 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

About the author

Hannes Hólmsteinn Gissurarson is a professor of political science at the University of Iceland.

Reviews

[Caleb Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable. Quick read. Very good introduction to Icelandic folklore.

[Alyssa Noch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this was a nice introduction to Icelandic folktales, even if there is quite a few spelling errors. I feel like those can be excused since English was not the first language of this translator/editor.

I really liked how certain folktales have ties to other ones common in other parts of Europe. For example, "The Church-Builder at Reyn" holds many similarities to the classic folktale of "Rumpelstiltskin" with the need to know a mysterious beings name or face the loss of one's child.

[alanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun collection of tales about the elves and hidden people of Icelandic folklore. The stories are short and easily digestible, however I recommend spacing them out and reading one at a time, between other things, less they become too repetitive (given the similarities and familiar story beats of a lot of folk tales).

[Edulq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Librito super corto con diversas historias tradicionales islandesas. Me ha gustado que a veces te pongan el lugar donde se supone que pasaron los hechos. Molaría encontrar alguna reminiscencia pagana, pero no conozco tanto del tema como para verla, pero aún así mola saber historietas de otros países, al final los temas son bastante universales

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very quick and interesting welcome to Icelandic folklore. Perfectly easy to read and enough to whet one's interest. Somewhere during my time growing up, I forgot how much I love folk tales, but I do, and now I remember! Can't wait to read more in the future!

[Elli · Rating 2 out of 5]

iceland reeeeaaally needs some better folktales

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just grabbed for a quick read. 1 of the stories is totally worth it. What on earth did I just read. Eve. Bridle.

[Psylocke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Introduction to hidden people mythologies. I would have wanted more depth, but have to admit it isn´t easy to achieve in such a small book. Overall a OK little book.

I found some interesting back stories for hidden people written in "The Reykjavik Grapevine" and I just had to include it here as very interesting thoughts on hidden people and elves. This is the info I would have wanted to read through the pages of "Elves and Hidden People".


According to Grapevine:

Take for example when Viktor Arnar Ingólfsson, who is chief of Iceland’s Public Roads Administration (and also a successful crime novelist), was put on the spot about the Public Roads Administration’s “concessions” to Hidden People believers. He told the American radio program ‘This American Life’ that in Iceland, “You really have to listen to everyone because you are probably going to meet them at a party after awhile. You know, when you scream at someone in traffic in New York, you know you’re probably not going to meet them again, so you do it. But not so much here.”

As it turns out, the necessity to make peace, to coexist with neighbours with whom you don’t always get on or agree, is also quite prevalent in folktales about the Hidden People themselves. “[T]here is need for cooperation,” Terry Gunnell writes. “As the legends demonstrate, such cooperation (generally following conditions set by the Huldufólk) can bring great reward […] Failure to cooperate or help, however, can bring about tragedy.”

[cailin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's like they put this book into Google Translate for English then printed it...