Tato epická sága vypráví o raných osadnících Islandu, jejich rodinných sporech, statečných bojích a složitých vztazích. Ponořte se do světa vikingských náčelníků, hrdinských činů a neúnavného boje o přežití v drsné, ale nádherné krajině. Tyto příběhy zkoumají témata cti, pomsty, práva a osudu, které formovaly životy prvních Islanďanů. Je to fascinující pohled do základů jedné z nejzajímavějších evropských literárních tradic.
William Morris, a pivotal figure in the arts and crafts movement, made significant contributions as a textile designer and writer. His influence on early 20th-century decoration is notable, but he is also recognized as a Romantic writer and a forerunner of modern fantasy, inspiring authors like J.R.R. Tolkien. This republished work includes a new introductory biography and presents Morris's classic writings—fiction, poetry, and essays—in affordable, high-quality editions, preserving the original text and artwork.
Composed at the end of the fourteenth century by an unknown author, The Saga
of Grettir the Strong is one of the last great Icelandic sagas. It relates the
tale of Grettir, an eleventh-century warrior struggling to hold on to the
values of a heroic age becoming eclipsed by Christianity and a more pastoral
lifestyle.
Exploring the contributions of William Morris, this work highlights his dual legacy as a significant textile designer and a Romantic writer who shaped modern fantasy literature. Born in 1834, Morris's influence extended to church and home decoration in the early 20th century, while his literary creations inspired renowned authors like J.R.R. Tolkien. This edition includes a new introductory biography and aims to present his classic works in accessible, high-quality formats, preserving the original text and artwork.
Die Saga von Njal ist eine um das Jahr 1000 handelnde Prosaerzählung[...]. Aufgezeichnet um 1280 ist sie nicht nur der umfangreichste, sondern auch künstlerisch bedeutendste Text aus der Blütezeit der Isländersagas, und sie gilt als Islands bleibender Beitrag zur Weltliteratur. Die vorliegende Neuübersetzung, die möglichst nahe an das altisländische Original heranführen soll, wird ergänzt durch Kommentare zum Kultur- und Entstehungsmilieu. (Amazon) Hans-Peter Naumann (translator)
Written around 1245 by an unknown author, the Laxdaela Saga is an extraordinary tale of conflicting kinships and passionate love, and one of the most compelling works of Icelandic literature. Covering 150 years in the lives of the inhabitants of the community of Laxriverdale, the saga focuses primarily upon the story of Gudrun Osvif's-daughter: a proud, beautiful, vain and desirable figure, who is forced into an unhappy marriage and destroys the only man she has truly loved – her husband's best friend. A moving tale of murder and sacrifice, romance and regret, the Laxdaela Saga is also a fascinating insight into an era of radical change – a time when the Age of Chivalry was at its fullest flower in continental Europe, and the Christian faith was making its impact felt upon the Viking world.
Set in the rich tapestry of Icelandic lore, this saga introduces the intriguing characters of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald. It explores themes of rivalry, honor, and the power of storytelling through the lives of these two compelling figures. As the first Icelandic saga translated into English, it offers readers a unique glimpse into the culture and traditions of medieval Iceland, blending adventure with deep-rooted historical significance.
This epic narrative features battles, blood feuds, and adventurous voyages throughout the Scandinavian world, intertwined with supernatural elements like ghostly apparitions and prophetic dreams. The story showcases a range of compelling characters, including Gunnar, a warrior who despises violence; Flosi, a cunning schemer; Gudmund the Powerful; and Njal, who possesses second sight but tragically cannot avert his family's fate. The blend of heroism and poignant themes makes this saga a standout in Icelandic literature.
An Icelandic saga which mixes realism with wild gothic imagination and history
with eerie tales of hauntings. It dramatizes a 13th century view of the past,
from the pagan anarchy of the Viking age to the settlement of Iceland, the
coming of Christianity and the beginnings of organized society.
The remote and inhospitable landscape of Iceland made it a perfect breeding-ground for heroes. The first Norsemen to colonize it in 860 found that the fight for survival demanded high courage and tough self reliance; it also nurtured a stern sense of duty and an uncompromising view of destiny. The Icelandic sagas relate the adventurous lives of individuals and families between 930 and 1030, which began as oral tales but were skilfully documented in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, and are now regarded as written literature. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
A sweeping epic of the Viking Age, Grettir's Saga follows the life of the
outlaw Grettir the Strong as he battles against sorcery, bad luck, and the
vengefulness of his enemies. Among the most famous and widely read of
Iceland's sagas, this new translation features extensive illustrative material
to elucidate the story.
Set in the Icelandic Commonwealth between 960 and 1020 AD, this saga intricately weaves a tale of blood feuds and enduring friendships among its notable characters, including the noble Gunnar and the wise lawyer Njal. It explores profound themes of loyalty, marriage, family honor, and the tragic consequences of revenge. Divided into three parts, it chronicles the deep bond between Gunnar and Njal, the fallout from vengeance, and the retribution faced by Flosi and Kari. This edition features a translation by George Webbe Dasent and is printed on premium acid-free paper.
Egil's Saga tells the story of the long and brutal life of tenth- century
warrior-poet and farmer Egil Skallagrimsson: a morally ambiguous character who
was at once the composer of intricately beautiful poetry, and a physical
grotesque capable of staggering brutality.
Der Roman erzählt die Lebensgeschichte von Grettir dem Starken. Es ist eine der bekanntesten und gleichzeitig eine der längsten Isländersagas, die von dem unangepaßten und schwierigen Grettir erzählt. Er überlebt nur unter dramatischen Umständen in der unwirtlichen Natur Islands, erwirbt sich mit seiner Körperkraft und seiner Intelligenz großen Ruhm, wird später jedoch geächtet und muß fliehen, bis er schließlich in einem Fjord im Norden des Landes den Tod findet.
Written in the thirteenth century, Njal's Saga is a story that explores perennial human problems-from failed marriages to divided loyalties, from the law's inability to curb human passions to the terrible consequences when decent men and women are swept up in a tide of violence beyond their control. It is populated by memorable and complex characters like Gunnar of Hlidarendi, a powerful warrior with an aversion to killing, and the not-so-villainous Mord Valgardsson. Full of dreams, strange prophecies, violent power struggles, and fragile peace agreements, Njal's Saga tells the compelling story of a fifty-year blood feud that, despite its distance from us in time and place, is driven by passions familiar to us all. This Penguin Classics edition includes an introduction, chronology, index of characters, plot summary, explanatory notes, maps, and suggestions for further reading.
Come scrive Borges, è nelle saghe islandesi che nasce il romanzo moderno, in quel mondo di eroismi, intrighi, epiche famigliari e vicende intime. E fra tutte la Laxdæla saga occupa un posto di assoluto rilievo per la bellezza poetica e le passioni che rappresenta. Coprendo 150 anni, narra le tormentate sorti di un clan norvegese che alla fine del IX secolo è il primo colonizzatore dell'Islanda dell'ovest, la valle del Laxá, il Fiume dei Salmoni, restituendoci un potente affresco del Medioevo vichingo in un'età di transizione, quando il cristianesimo fa breccia nell'antico universo pagano. Ma questa saga deve la sua speciale fama e unicità anche al ruolo dominante che hanno le donne: la grande matriarca Unnr, che conduce la famiglia dalla Scozia alle Orcadi alle Faroe prima di prendersi la sua terra sul suolo islandese; la schiava Melkorka, che si finge muta per non rivelare al padrone e amante di essere la figlia di un re d’Irlanda; e soprattutto Gudrún, “la donna più bella che fosse mai nata in terra d'Islanda”, fiera, passionale, femme fatale e "femminista", una delle eroine più popolari e affascinanti delle antiche saghe. Protagonista di un dramma di amore e vendetta che porterà Kjartan e Bolli, amici fraterni, a combattersi fino alla morte, Gudrún si chiuderà in una dolorosa e algida solitudine, finendo i suoi giorni come suora eremita.
