The Sagas of Icelanders discussion

Do they have to be read in the order in which they appear in the book?

it helps.... the book was laid out overall very well... there are certain sagas that while they don't have to be read in order... there are characters, events, and other things that makes it better if you read start to finish. some of the sagas are much better than others... however... jumping around you may lose some of the enjoyment you would get otherwise. once done... take a trip to Iceland... the book just comes alive over there.

They aren't necessarily sequential, but as Will says it's probably beneficial to read them in order.. A comment I'd add is that you should also look into Njal's Saga. It is more about the legal system of the Icelandic Commonwealth, rather than the settlement and (violent) feuds that comprise most of the sagas in this volume. Njal's Saga is also of added interest/significance in that it details the conversion to Christianity in the year 1000 CE.

I missed these responses. Belated thank you. I hope to go back to the Sagas this summer.