The Saga of the Volsungs

by Jesse Byock (contributor), Petra Borner (Illustrations)

Part of a new series Legends from the Ancient North, The Saga of the Volsungs is one of the classic books that influenced JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. "They summoned their friends, readied their horses, and prepared their helmets, shields, swords, coats of mail". (J.R.R). Tolkien spent much of his life studying, translating and teaching the great epic stories of northern Europe, filled with heroes, dragons, trolls, dwarves and magic. He was hugely influential for his advocacy of Beowulf as a great work of literature and, even if he had never written The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, would be recognised today as a significant figure in the rediscovery of these extraordinary tales. Legends from the Ancient North brings together from Penguin Classics five of the key works behind Tolkien's fiction. They are startling, brutal, strange pieces of writing, with an elemental power brilliantly preserved in these translations. They plunge the reader into a world of treachery, quests, chivalry, trials of strength. They are the most ancient narratives that exist from northern Europe and bring us as near as we will ever get to the origins of the magical landscape of Middle-earth (Midgard) which Tolkien remade in the 20th century.

ebook

Published November 7, 2013

Reviews

[Veerle Peene · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to have read one of the original sagas of norse mythology, especially since it inspired so much modern literature! (think Tolkien etc)

To read this you need a lot of concentration as there are SO MANY names and characters, and in true old norse fashion all the names look alike (yay). But it is definitely worth it, if only for the vibes of it.

So to me it was definitely worth it, just because of the renowned reputation. So i’m glad my course made me read this book. Especially cause I would have probably never read it otherwise.

[Maria Stallmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh - interesting insight into the storytelling of that time and the historical context (indeed, the introduction was the best part of the book!), but a bit far-fetched and silly. Yes, yes, it’s a saga, it’s supposed to be mythical, but this just wasn’t really for me.

[Jessie Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, if tragic, saga that moves from the mythic to the legendary. As such, a worthy study if not my favorite narrative.

[Taurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good translation of a kickass story

[Karina Delcheva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic and excellently translated - a gripping and exciting story, told in a way that keeps the storyline true but transmits in a digestible for modern readers way.