Saga Land

by Richard Fidler

Other authorsDaniel New (Cover artist), Kári Gíslason (Author), Evi Oetomo (Cover artist), Clare O'Flynn (Maps)
Hardcover, 2017

Status

Available

Call number

839.6

Publication

ABC Books HarperCollins (2017).

Description

Broadcaster Richard Fidler and author Kari Gíslason are good friends. They share a deep attachment to the sagas of Iceland - the true stories of the first Viking families who settled on that remote island in the Middle Ages.These are tales of blood feuds, of dangerous women and people who are compelled to kill the ones they love the most. The sagas are among the greatest stories ever written, but the identity of their authors is largely unknown. Together, Richard and Kari travel across Iceland, to the places where the sagas unfolded a thousand years ago. They cross fields, streams and fjords to immerse themselves in the folklore of this fiercely beautiful island. And there is another mission: to resolve a longstanding family mystery - a gift from Kari's Icelandic father that might connect him to the greatest of the saga authors.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member robeik
Iceland is probably one of the most unknown well-known country on earth... at least for me. Those around 30 years ago may remember it was the place that Presidents Reagan and Gorbachev first met in a summit that was the start of the end of the Cold War. And in the decade or so before that, the Cold
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War was being played out on a chess board, when the Soviet star Boris Spassky met the crazy Bobby Fisher. I still remember hearing the story unfold on the radio and in the papers.
In this book, these modern stories are wonderfully woven into a story of ancient Icelandic sagas, the first 'discovery' of North America by the Scandinavians, and the quest for a son to find his heritage that is closely linked to one of the most famous Islanders.
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LibraryThing member mbmackay
Richard Fidler and Kari Gislason combine to produce a book about Icelandic sagas, but also about the authors, and the people, the landscape, and the history of Iceland, and a few other quirky bits thrown in for good measure. The result is light and highly readable, but with enough meat to be
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satisfying.
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LibraryThing member NJSResearch
I thoroughly enjoy Richard Fidler's ABC interview program and I knew Justice Asche (NT Supreme Court) who was an expert on the Icelandic Sagas. I enjoyed the book but eventually lost my with it. Will need to revisit.

Awards

Australian Book Industry Awards (Shortlist — General Non-Fiction — 2018)
The Indie Book Award (Longlist — Non-fiction — 2018)

Language

Original language

English

Physical description

6.46 inches

ISBN

0733338232 / 9780733338236

Local notes

The sagas are among the greatest stories ever written, but the identity of their authors is largely unknown.Together, Richard and Kári travel across Iceland, to the places where the sagas unfolded a thousand years ago. They cross fields, streams and fjords to immerse themselves in the folklore of this fiercely beautiful island.

Odin's ravens in silver on black boards under the dustjacket.
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