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The Saga of the Volsungs with The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok
From the translator of the bestselling Poetic Edda (Hackett, 2015) comes a gripping new rendering of two of the greatest sagas of Old Norse literature.
Together the two sagas recount the story of seven generations of a single legendary heroic family and comprise our best source of traditional lore about its members—including, among others, the dragon-slayer Sigurd, Brynhild the Valkyrie, and the Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok.
Together the two sagas recount the story of seven generations of a single legendary heroic family and comprise our best source of traditional lore about its members—including, among others, the dragon-slayer Sigurd, Brynhild the Valkyrie, and the Viking chieftain Ragnar Lothbrok.
5 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 1200
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
December 19, 2020
Clear, accessible translation by Jackson Crawford.
Advice to the Volsungs: Do NOT marry a woman off against her will. Nothing good can come of it.
Advice to the Volsungs: Do NOT marry a woman off against her will. Nothing good can come of it.
May 6, 2021
More educational than enjoyable - which is strange considering all the sex and violence. Valkyries, dragon slayers and child eaters abound.
This book contained the translation of two original Norse sagas. Most of it covered several generations of the Volsungs, a legendary family of heroic characters. It also contained the saga of Ragnar Lothbrok, the main character from the first couple seasons of Vikings (I miss that show!)
The Volsungs sure endured a lot of marital strife, and both parties argued and entreated just the same as we do today. Of course that could just be the translator, but it's funny to imagine Hagar bringing roses to Helga so he can get out of the doghouse.
This book contained the translation of two original Norse sagas. Most of it covered several generations of the Volsungs, a legendary family of heroic characters. It also contained the saga of Ragnar Lothbrok, the main character from the first couple seasons of Vikings (I miss that show!)
The Volsungs sure endured a lot of marital strife, and both parties argued and entreated just the same as we do today. Of course that could just be the translator, but it's funny to imagine Hagar bringing roses to Helga so he can get out of the doghouse.
October 4, 2017
You can read all the history books you want, but it isn't until you read a people's literature that you can really get a feel for who they were, and reading The Saga of the Volsungs made it clear that my Norse ancestors were a tough, violent, crafty, courageous and magical people. The Saga is a collection of short, interesting and frequently action packed little episodes, and I very much enjoyed reading it. Crawford's translation is as clear as a glacial stream and as blunt as a headbutt from Sigurd himself.
June 19, 2021
Jako zanimljivo slozeno i interpretirano.
Bez neke duboke analize, sa radnjom koja tece i tece.
Privlacno delo, ne smara i na jedan jako konkretan nacin vas upoznaje sa Nibelunzima i Ragnarom Lotbrukom i njegovim sinovima. Za one koji ne vole da se mnogo udubljuju ovo je zaista dobra knjiga.
Meni licno pomalo obskurna, stoga 4 zvezdice.
Bez neke duboke analize, sa radnjom koja tece i tece.
Privlacno delo, ne smara i na jedan jako konkretan nacin vas upoznaje sa Nibelunzima i Ragnarom Lotbrukom i njegovim sinovima. Za one koji ne vole da se mnogo udubljuju ovo je zaista dobra knjiga.
Meni licno pomalo obskurna, stoga 4 zvezdice.
January 13, 2022
Norse mythology contains a lot of cows.
I'd really like to know the background for that. Like, what happened in history that made them write fearsome, bellowing, omnipotent cows into conquests and battle scenes. Dunno, man. But I have questions.
I loved this Audible listen, and it was my first exposure to Jackson Crawford. While he can be somewhat monotone (he read his own interpretation), I was in awe of his genius the whole time so let it slide.
True Norse mythology (giving you the side-eye, Marvel) is bizarre, compelling, shocking, beautiful, and has cows. Need I say more.
I'll be listening to this again in the future, most likely. I had to take it in chunks so I didn't lose focus. Large portions at once is hard to swallow. It is an ancient translation, after all.
I'd rate this a PG-13 for adult content including mention of rape, alcohol consumption, violence and gore, and incest.
I'd really like to know the background for that. Like, what happened in history that made them write fearsome, bellowing, omnipotent cows into conquests and battle scenes. Dunno, man. But I have questions.
I loved this Audible listen, and it was my first exposure to Jackson Crawford. While he can be somewhat monotone (he read his own interpretation), I was in awe of his genius the whole time so let it slide.
True Norse mythology (giving you the side-eye, Marvel) is bizarre, compelling, shocking, beautiful, and has cows. Need I say more.
I'll be listening to this again in the future, most likely. I had to take it in chunks so I didn't lose focus. Large portions at once is hard to swallow. It is an ancient translation, after all.
I'd rate this a PG-13 for adult content including mention of rape, alcohol consumption, violence and gore, and incest.
February 20, 2021
This was my first Norse mythology related read and it did not disappoint. It was magical from start to finish and I kept picking out little life and/or strategy lessons that have stood the test of time. For instance, it would appear that the Norsemen & women knew back then, in terms of strategy, what we lawyers only know too well now...
“You should only ask questions that you’ll be better knowing the answers to”
Another point of interest throughout the sagas were the female characters, a number of which were assertive, courageous, strong women who would often go and fight battles along with the men. Whilst I appreciate, the text is a “saga” and not necessarily reflective of general Viking life it was a breath of fresh air to read a medieval text/story where the female characters were not all expected to be hiding out in a castle or with the sole role of managing a family.
I’m looking forward to my next Norse Mythology book... I’ve been well and truly captured by the magical storytelling and the Viking adventures.
“You should only ask questions that you’ll be better knowing the answers to”
Another point of interest throughout the sagas were the female characters, a number of which were assertive, courageous, strong women who would often go and fight battles along with the men. Whilst I appreciate, the text is a “saga” and not necessarily reflective of general Viking life it was a breath of fresh air to read a medieval text/story where the female characters were not all expected to be hiding out in a castle or with the sole role of managing a family.
I’m looking forward to my next Norse Mythology book... I’ve been well and truly captured by the magical storytelling and the Viking adventures.
November 23, 2025
💫Immerse Yourself in The Saga of the Volsungs with The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok💫
🎶Listen: Dark Nordic Folk & Viking Ambient
In these tales, we witness the evolution of Norse culture and, perhaps, the slow decline of the gods. While both tales follow a lineage legendarily descended from Odin, they have drastically different tones despite both dripping with blood, violence and vengeance.
Through the story of Sigurth, who slayed the dragon Fafnir, characters behave under predetermined Fate; arguably orchestrated by incorruptible and inescapable laws of human nature. As we witness with Sigurth, a noble man can suffer an ignoble fate if laws of human nature remain in tact. The law of greed and envy control the fates of Gunnar and Hogni. For Signy, the law of revenge fuels her undiscerning, murderous rampage. For Brynhild, the law of oath breaking drives her irrational pursuit of vengeance. For Guthrun, the laws of sorrow spark her vengeance. For these characters, none embrace their agency and they become simple vessels for acting out their emotions.
The last episode in Volsunga saga tells of Guthrun's sons' vengeance for the death of their half-sister, Svanhild, Guthrun's daughter with Sigurth. Two of these sons kill the third because they misunderstand his cryptic response about his fighting prowess. At their own death, they realize that by killing their third brother, they kill their chance for victory in their endeavors. They remove all limbs from their victim King Jormunrekk but cannot remove his head, the part which their third brother would have removed. Because of this, the king can hear Odin himself advise him on how to kill his attackers and the brothers understand the folly of their mistake. The head, Wisdom, even without muscular limb to clench mystical swords, can bring down the most brutish warrior.
In Ragnars saga lothbrokar, the story transforms in tone as Wisdom becomes the prominent element driving the fates and actions of men. Odin does not appear as much as he had in Volsunga saga. Ragnar shares many similarities with Sigurth, even in his victory over a dragon, but he does not seek the treasure. He marries Aslaug out of desire rather than matching from social hierarchy. His son Ivar, the boneless, crippled and lacking in the physical prowess boasted of by heroes in Volsunga saga, proves the greatest Norseman of all the heroes because of his wisdom alongside his valor as a warrior. While still violent and honorable in the Norse tradition, Wisdom now thrives rather than beastial barbarism. The name of Ragnarsson ties a string of brotherhood around men down through the ages. In the far reaching corners of the globe stand mighty, speaking statues committed to standing in honor of those men until the end of the world. Odin is gone. His wisdom now lives within men rather than outside of them. Like Odin, men can now embrace their wisdom and break the shackles of law to create their own Fate; or die in the attempt.
🎶Listen: Dark Nordic Folk & Viking Ambient
I will help you like hand helps hand, or foot helps foot.
In these tales, we witness the evolution of Norse culture and, perhaps, the slow decline of the gods. While both tales follow a lineage legendarily descended from Odin, they have drastically different tones despite both dripping with blood, violence and vengeance.
Through the story of Sigurth, who slayed the dragon Fafnir, characters behave under predetermined Fate; arguably orchestrated by incorruptible and inescapable laws of human nature. As we witness with Sigurth, a noble man can suffer an ignoble fate if laws of human nature remain in tact. The law of greed and envy control the fates of Gunnar and Hogni. For Signy, the law of revenge fuels her undiscerning, murderous rampage. For Brynhild, the law of oath breaking drives her irrational pursuit of vengeance. For Guthrun, the laws of sorrow spark her vengeance. For these characters, none embrace their agency and they become simple vessels for acting out their emotions.
The last episode in Volsunga saga tells of Guthrun's sons' vengeance for the death of their half-sister, Svanhild, Guthrun's daughter with Sigurth. Two of these sons kill the third because they misunderstand his cryptic response about his fighting prowess. At their own death, they realize that by killing their third brother, they kill their chance for victory in their endeavors. They remove all limbs from their victim King Jormunrekk but cannot remove his head, the part which their third brother would have removed. Because of this, the king can hear Odin himself advise him on how to kill his attackers and the brothers understand the folly of their mistake. The head, Wisdom, even without muscular limb to clench mystical swords, can bring down the most brutish warrior.
In Ragnars saga lothbrokar, the story transforms in tone as Wisdom becomes the prominent element driving the fates and actions of men. Odin does not appear as much as he had in Volsunga saga. Ragnar shares many similarities with Sigurth, even in his victory over a dragon, but he does not seek the treasure. He marries Aslaug out of desire rather than matching from social hierarchy. His son Ivar, the boneless, crippled and lacking in the physical prowess boasted of by heroes in Volsunga saga, proves the greatest Norseman of all the heroes because of his wisdom alongside his valor as a warrior. While still violent and honorable in the Norse tradition, Wisdom now thrives rather than beastial barbarism. The name of Ragnarsson ties a string of brotherhood around men down through the ages. In the far reaching corners of the globe stand mighty, speaking statues committed to standing in honor of those men until the end of the world. Odin is gone. His wisdom now lives within men rather than outside of them. Like Odin, men can now embrace their wisdom and break the shackles of law to create their own Fate; or die in the attempt.
August 30, 2019
Interesting stuff! Very nice to see a complete and reasonably consistent version of the tale of the Volsung family, which was a bit more fragmented in the poetic edda. It was also my first time reading the saga of Ragnar Lothbrok which definitely peaked my interest quite a bit! I find this a recommended read for anyone interested in Viking sagas, Norse mythology or a fan of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen to find out more about the source material ;)
April 24, 2024
Dry. Very dry.
September 22, 2021
Not bad at all just very dry! Written like an historical account but just down right fantastical. I can see how this inspired lord of the rings and many other fantasy titles. A really great read for those interested in the origins of many a great tale.
May 28, 2025
Excellent translation of an excellent collection of Icelandic and Viking tales.
May 29, 2025
An excellent translation of an awesome saga!
January 26, 2021
The Saga of the Volsungs is epic fun that has left its mark on myth, music and literature alike. Although the dynastic violence and machinations of the earlier generations are all very gripping, it is the story of its central hero, Sigurd – his bloody battles, the fearsome fight against the dragon, Fafnir, and his ill-fated love for the valkyrie, Brynhild – that makes up the bulk of the tale. Once Sigurd is murdered, the broad stream of the saga dissipates in many tributaries, accounting for the bad marriages, bitter feuds and familial carnage that beset his children and in-laws after his death.
The saga overall is a grim lineage of legendary heroes, brutally realistic in its depiction of honour, cunning and violence, yet hyperbolic and suffused with magic – shape-shifting and form-swapping, as well as potions of forgetfulness, drive many of the story's major conflicts, and Odin himself, of course, makes a number of fateful appearances.
The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok is much shorter, and some of its elements will be known to viewers of the television series, Vikings.
The translation seems good, and the language is straightforward and plain. Perhaps even a little too plain. While there's a narrative drive in the very straight recounting of action and dialogue, I did think that Crawford's decision to render the plain meaning of the handful of kennings in the saga, rather than render them in English as a rhythmic, rhyming metaphor, took the commitment to ease of reading a step too far for my liking.
The saga overall is a grim lineage of legendary heroes, brutally realistic in its depiction of honour, cunning and violence, yet hyperbolic and suffused with magic – shape-shifting and form-swapping, as well as potions of forgetfulness, drive many of the story's major conflicts, and Odin himself, of course, makes a number of fateful appearances.
The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok is much shorter, and some of its elements will be known to viewers of the television series, Vikings.
The translation seems good, and the language is straightforward and plain. Perhaps even a little too plain. While there's a narrative drive in the very straight recounting of action and dialogue, I did think that Crawford's decision to render the plain meaning of the handful of kennings in the saga, rather than render them in English as a rhythmic, rhyming metaphor, took the commitment to ease of reading a step too far for my liking.
March 28, 2018
The Saga of the Volsungs - This is one of several versions of the story of the Germanic hero Sigurth. I found this somewhat frustrating. It's more complete than the version presented in the Poetic Edda but it is also poorly stitched together and at times is inconsistent or contradictory. The story itself is good of course. I intend to read the Saga of Didrek of Bern and the Nibelungenlied to see if I prefer those versions of the legend.
The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok - This is a sort of sequel to the Saga of the Volsungs, describing the life of the legendary viking Ragnar Lothbrok and his wife Aslaug, the daughter of Sigurth and Brynhild. Despite Ragnar being a pseudo-historical figure, his saga is very deeply set in myth. On that note, I've never seen the popular television series Vikings, which retells the story of Ragnar Lothbrok, but it seems unlikely that it has him kill a dragon, wear armor woven from a single hair that makes him invulnerable, or battle an evil cow goddess whose moos cause all men to run in fear. Such a shame.
The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok - This is a sort of sequel to the Saga of the Volsungs, describing the life of the legendary viking Ragnar Lothbrok and his wife Aslaug, the daughter of Sigurth and Brynhild. Despite Ragnar being a pseudo-historical figure, his saga is very deeply set in myth. On that note, I've never seen the popular television series Vikings, which retells the story of Ragnar Lothbrok, but it seems unlikely that it has him kill a dragon, wear armor woven from a single hair that makes him invulnerable, or battle an evil cow goddess whose moos cause all men to run in fear. Such a shame.
December 15, 2020
Part of a 2 part birthday gift from my Pal Alisa. It came along with Jackson's translation of the poetic edda
Not sure how to review this or grade it. So I'm just giving it an average.
Its just what it is and I was finished sooner than I thought.
I do enjoy Jackson Crawford's work both on his youtube channel and the translations of the Norse texts (like this one).
last year I purchased the Wanderer's Hvamal which you can see text in old norse on one side and the english translation on the other. That one also includes his own Cowboy Hvamal.
Also reading these 2 sagas (if you watch the Vikings series) you will see that some of those events actually happened, but not always by who did it in the show.
Not sure how to review this or grade it. So I'm just giving it an average.
Its just what it is and I was finished sooner than I thought.
I do enjoy Jackson Crawford's work both on his youtube channel and the translations of the Norse texts (like this one).
last year I purchased the Wanderer's Hvamal which you can see text in old norse on one side and the english translation on the other. That one also includes his own Cowboy Hvamal.
Also reading these 2 sagas (if you watch the Vikings series) you will see that some of those events actually happened, but not always by who did it in the show.
December 17, 2019
Maybe it's better if you read it, but the audiobook is horrible. The narration drones on and on and on in an inflectionless monotone. This is one of those instances where the author should never have been allowed to record the material, which surprised the heck out of me because Dr. Crawford's videos (he has a YouTube channel) on the subject are actually very good.
February 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this! Especially the Ragnar saga, as it was more discernable as a story and with great characters. These more human stories are not by any means easy to read - blink and you're lost at some of the characters more crazy actions and motivations - but they're at least far better than the Aesir.
January 19, 2025
too much incest
June 3, 2025
Always interesting to read a work that originated in a culture with vastly different ethical and social norms than ours today. Despite the differences, the characters come through as very human: the courage to face a bad fate, difficulty in navigating conflicting ethical obligations, and bitterness over betrayal by a loved one are timeless themes. It was tempting for me to read this as a classic tale of heroes and villains, but it resists such a simplistic reading. Gunnar and Gudrun especially, although slotting into the position of antagonists to the Volsung family, almost seem to play their parts unwillingly, and the narrative gives them their moments of honor despite their roles in Sigurds death. It is difficult to know how these characters would have been received by the original audience, but for me at least their stories were just as compelling as those of the Volsungs. I’m a sucker for family histories too so this was a fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2022
A solid translation that reads well and is easy to understand. If you are not already acquainted with the culture of early medieval Scandinavia, brace yourself. The death-count is very high in any saga; the Volsungs and everybody they meet die in droves. The best thing that can happen is to die a good death, preferably in battle. Revenge is a requirement, such that women kill their own children to avenge their brothers' deaths on their husbands (see Signy and Gudrun). If you are a fan of Wagner's Ring Cycle operas - he toned things down, by comparison with the early sagas! Final note: men in revenge-driven societies should avoid marrying women with living brothers. Or fathers. Or uncles. Maybe just stay single and live longer.
August 17, 2025
This is an excellent English translation of Viking stories by Dr Crawford. Paints a probably accurate picture of the mores of the Viking society
April 19, 2022
A good read. A definite must for anyone wanting to read the eddas or other sagas.
March 2, 2020
Very good new edition of the Volsunga saga, with a translation that gives a strong impression of the matter-of-fact presentation of the original. The sagas' almost total lack of literary adornment is one of their best features, I think, or at least one of their most distinctive qualities, and Crawford ably translates that terseness into a readable modern version that avoids archaic vocabulary or grammar. It's brisk and exciting, an excellent plunge into the world of the sagas. It was the Penguin Classics edition of this saga that introduced me to this great body of literature, and I hope this new edition will do the same for future readers.
Volsunga saga is the story of a legendary family of heroes, the most famous of which is Sigurð the dragon-slayer. It's a wide-ranging and diffuse body of myth, especially for one that takes up barely eighty pages, and is endlessly fascinating. In addition to Sigurð's killing of Fáfnir, the only talking dragon in medieval literature and a forebear of Smaug, there are betrayals and murders by the score, and several moments that are surprisingly moving for such a blood-steeped legend—perhaps my favorite is when Signy, having avenged her father's death by arranging the murder of her husband, therefore keeping one bond while breaking another, announces what she's done before returning to her husband's burning hall and dying with him.
It should be obvious why Wagner saw opera potential in all of this.
This edition also includes the "sequel," more or less, The Saga of Ragnar Loðbrok, the inspiration for the Kirk Douglas film The Vikings as well as the biker-and-fashy-haircut chic "Vikings" show on the History Channel. While I was familiar with Ragnar, this is the first time I've ever read this particular saga, and until encountering it here I had no idea it was intended to continue the story of Volsunga saga, splicing Ragnar into Volsung and Sigurð's family tree.
Crawford includes references to parallel poetic versions of the prose stories here in his translation of The Poetic Edda, which is a helpful feature if you have more than a passing interest in these stories and their place in the larger body of Norse myth and literature. A detailed family tree, a very good introduction, in which Crawford places these two sagas and their Viking creators in their own historical and cultural context, and a helpful glossary of characters are also included.
Highly recommended.
Addendum: Listened to the audiobook, narrated by Crawford, two and a half years after first reading his translation. It was a welcome refresher, and very well done.
Volsunga saga is the story of a legendary family of heroes, the most famous of which is Sigurð the dragon-slayer. It's a wide-ranging and diffuse body of myth, especially for one that takes up barely eighty pages, and is endlessly fascinating. In addition to Sigurð's killing of Fáfnir, the only talking dragon in medieval literature and a forebear of Smaug, there are betrayals and murders by the score, and several moments that are surprisingly moving for such a blood-steeped legend—perhaps my favorite is when Signy, having avenged her father's death by arranging the murder of her husband, therefore keeping one bond while breaking another, announces what she's done before returning to her husband's burning hall and dying with him.
It should be obvious why Wagner saw opera potential in all of this.
This edition also includes the "sequel," more or less, The Saga of Ragnar Loðbrok, the inspiration for the Kirk Douglas film The Vikings as well as the biker-and-fashy-haircut chic "Vikings" show on the History Channel. While I was familiar with Ragnar, this is the first time I've ever read this particular saga, and until encountering it here I had no idea it was intended to continue the story of Volsunga saga, splicing Ragnar into Volsung and Sigurð's family tree.
Crawford includes references to parallel poetic versions of the prose stories here in his translation of The Poetic Edda, which is a helpful feature if you have more than a passing interest in these stories and their place in the larger body of Norse myth and literature. A detailed family tree, a very good introduction, in which Crawford places these two sagas and their Viking creators in their own historical and cultural context, and a helpful glossary of characters are also included.
Highly recommended.
Addendum: Listened to the audiobook, narrated by Crawford, two and a half years after first reading his translation. It was a welcome refresher, and very well done.
August 18, 2022
4 out 5 [Only because I prefer the R.G. Finch translation which is a master piece. See my comments about that in the final paragraph]
This is a review of Dr Jackson Crawford's edition.
While not perfect in the regards of a exact translation Dr. Jackson Crawford has made one of the greatest sagas ever written engaging and accessible to new english speaking saga readers or just in general fans of norse studies. I have read this story many times and I have always loved it and I am so pleased more people may be able to enjoy my love of the Völsunga saga who don't necessarily love reading or writing that sounds too archaic in nature. Inside this great edition is not only the Völsunga saga but also has an added bonus of the english translation and story of the famous Ragnar Loðbrók and his sons! Beautifully done and will definitely be reading more of his translations to see if it has the same effect. If you are curious of the origins of two of the most famous Norse hero's (Sigurðr the dragon slayer and Ragnar Loðbrók) then this version is definitely for you. Also includes extensive notes in the back when you want extra context about words or characters.
However, I will add this is NOT my favourite english translation of the Völsunga. If you don't really care about as much accessibility and want to read what I think is a much better translation of the Icelandic text in english I can't recommend R.G. Finch's translation more. It has the english and old norse text sources and, in my opinion, is just way more enjoyable but it's definitely not an easy read. It also doesn't come with the Ragnar story. If you are interested in this version you can actually find it in a PDF for free online! Can't hurt to try right? Maybe I'll re-read it again and do a specific review for this edition at another time.
This is a review of Dr Jackson Crawford's edition.
While not perfect in the regards of a exact translation Dr. Jackson Crawford has made one of the greatest sagas ever written engaging and accessible to new english speaking saga readers or just in general fans of norse studies. I have read this story many times and I have always loved it and I am so pleased more people may be able to enjoy my love of the Völsunga saga who don't necessarily love reading or writing that sounds too archaic in nature. Inside this great edition is not only the Völsunga saga but also has an added bonus of the english translation and story of the famous Ragnar Loðbrók and his sons! Beautifully done and will definitely be reading more of his translations to see if it has the same effect. If you are curious of the origins of two of the most famous Norse hero's (Sigurðr the dragon slayer and Ragnar Loðbrók) then this version is definitely for you. Also includes extensive notes in the back when you want extra context about words or characters.
However, I will add this is NOT my favourite english translation of the Völsunga. If you don't really care about as much accessibility and want to read what I think is a much better translation of the Icelandic text in english I can't recommend R.G. Finch's translation more. It has the english and old norse text sources and, in my opinion, is just way more enjoyable but it's definitely not an easy read. It also doesn't come with the Ragnar story. If you are interested in this version you can actually find it in a PDF for free online! Can't hurt to try right? Maybe I'll re-read it again and do a specific review for this edition at another time.
October 3, 2021
Very camp! Some wild moments:
From The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok
From The Saga of the Volsungs
Loads more moments that I recognized from other stories, like characters (Sigurd) riding through a burning rings of fire, forging magical rings that are distributed to races like elves and men and such, and characters (Gudrun) feeding other character’s (Atli's) children to them.
From The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok
The Swedes had a superstition about a cow they called Sibilja. So many sacrifices had been made to this cow that no one could withstand hearing the terrible sounds it made. And it was the King’s custom, when he expected war, to let this cow lead his troops. And so much demonic power was in this cow that always Eystein’s enemies, when they heard it, were driven so crazy that they fought among themselves and did not heed their own friends.
From The Saga of the Volsungs
There will be a great storm, when you dream about a polar bear. I dreamed that an eagle came inside… and he flew the length of the hall and drenched me and everybody else all in blood. And that must mean evil is coming
Loads more moments that I recognized from other stories, like characters (Sigurd) riding through a burning rings of fire, forging magical rings that are distributed to races like elves and men and such, and characters (Gudrun) feeding other character’s (Atli's) children to them.
January 28, 2023
I enjoyed the audiobook read by the translator. The additional notes in the front of the book are definitely a helpful introduction and guide to the sagas. Reading the Saga of the Volsungs was a treat after the Poetic Edda because of the sustained narrative. I also enjoy the chapters about the earliest generations.
Reading sagas, or perhaps especially listening to them, is difficult for me because the narrative is so bare and condensed. It's compact, but in a very different way then, say, Hemingway. As an art form, I'd say there's very little attention given to pacing. So much can happen in one sentence, that I get to imagining how the scene would play out (much longer, in film or in reality) and by the time I tune back into the narrative, it seems a whole generation has passed. I'm learning to adapt to the style.
Reading sagas, or perhaps especially listening to them, is difficult for me because the narrative is so bare and condensed. It's compact, but in a very different way then, say, Hemingway. As an art form, I'd say there's very little attention given to pacing. So much can happen in one sentence, that I get to imagining how the scene would play out (much longer, in film or in reality) and by the time I tune back into the narrative, it seems a whole generation has passed. I'm learning to adapt to the style.
February 3, 2022
This one I did almost fully listen to as a I shoveled. It was more linear and coherent in totality than the Poetic Edda. But it was also a Silmarillion-level bog-down of names. A contest how many suffixes a cultural can come up with for Sig- . And of course it’s no surprise this was a heavy influence on Tolkien. Anyways at this to say: I didn’t absorb as much, but it was a cool family tree of stories down to Sigurd and past to Ragnar Lothbrok. And the first 4-5 seasons of Vikings is one of my fav TV shows and Ragnar Lothbrok is my top echelon of TV/movie characters so to hear some original source material was sweet. Anyways, I think it can improve to 4 stars in years to come as I relisten to it while shoveling. And once again translator, editor, and reader: Jackson Crawford did a phenomenal job.
June 9, 2020
I'm sure the story would be terrific if it was fleshed out, but as with some classics, the sparse language and statement by statement style makes it hard to connect with the story.
Also the audiobook that I listened to had an especially monotonous reader so that didn't help.
It is interesting to see what the TV show Vikings was based on (The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok), I'd have preferred if that show tried to keep it more in line with this story and the real history, or alternatively making it more mythic. Generally the show runners own invention or deviation is what brings it down. Well and generally weak writing - don't get me started, I'm not a fan of the show.
Also the audiobook that I listened to had an especially monotonous reader so that didn't help.
It is interesting to see what the TV show Vikings was based on (The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok), I'd have preferred if that show tried to keep it more in line with this story and the real history, or alternatively making it more mythic. Generally the show runners own invention or deviation is what brings it down. Well and generally weak writing - don't get me started, I'm not a fan of the show.
April 23, 2021
It was a wonderful translation of two of the oldest Norse sagas recorded in the 12th and 13th century Iceland. I have the hardcover, but thought to listen to it on Audible as I painted. The stories are great, but the narrator was awful! I was painting, and can usually listen for 8 to 10 hours without stopping when I am in flow, but the narrator just put me under. I had to go out for a walk after about an hour, and then to sleep after it was finished long last (4h 45m). Definite read this in book format, even better with a group who can read-in-turn. The sagas are great and meant to be oral. Yikes!
April 27, 2025
This review is specifically for the AUDIO version as read by the AUTHOR. It is bad - it's BRUTAL.
Someone, anyone, could do better than this recording. The monotonous droning is mind-numbing with no change in tone or inflection, no personality, no life breathed into the reading, leaving this like listening to a baritone flatlining heart monitor.
The information is good, the translation is excellent and, in written form, this is worthy of 5 Stars.
The audio, as recorded by the author, is 1 Star. If there is another audio version, perhaps it's better.
I hate to rate this poorly, but the reading is horrible, horrendous.
Someone, anyone, could do better than this recording. The monotonous droning is mind-numbing with no change in tone or inflection, no personality, no life breathed into the reading, leaving this like listening to a baritone flatlining heart monitor.
The information is good, the translation is excellent and, in written form, this is worthy of 5 Stars.
The audio, as recorded by the author, is 1 Star. If there is another audio version, perhaps it's better.
I hate to rate this poorly, but the reading is horrible, horrendous.
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