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Rod's Reviews > The Long Ships
The Long Ships
by
by
Rod's review
bookshelves: favorites, nyrb-by-proxy, the-high-seas, in-translation, sagas, svenska, historical-fiction, owned, swashbucklers
Apr 22, 2011
bookshelves: favorites, nyrb-by-proxy, the-high-seas, in-translation, sagas, svenska, historical-fiction, owned, swashbucklers
Swiftly moving, endlessly entertaining, and brimming with historically accurate 10th-century flavor, this recounts in Norse saga fashion the adventures of Orm Tostesson (aka "Red Orm"), beginning with his capture as a young lad by Vikings, where, initially taken as a slave, he quickly proves his mettle and is initiated into the group as one of their own, and is eventually elected chieftain. The book follows Orm as he travels far and wide, makes lifelong friendships (and a few enemies), fights battles on land and at sea, accumulates wealth, finds love, and eventually makes his way back home and settles down to a quiet family life...or so he thinks, because his adventures aren't over.
Enormously popular in Sweden since its publication during the Second World War, it deserves to be more widely known in the States because so many people would love it if they read it. I only just heard of it recently, myself, and I'm sure glad I did, because since I read it I'll always fondly recall Red Orm and his friends Toke and Father Willibald. If you read it you'll feel as if they're your friends as well.
***UPDATE 6/11/2011***
Just finished reading it a second time, and I enjoyed it at least as much as the first time. I guess I have to move on to something else now. Sigh. I have no doubt I'll return to it in the future, though.
***UPDATE 12/15/2012***
Third time!
Enormously popular in Sweden since its publication during the Second World War, it deserves to be more widely known in the States because so many people would love it if they read it. I only just heard of it recently, myself, and I'm sure glad I did, because since I read it I'll always fondly recall Red Orm and his friends Toke and Father Willibald. If you read it you'll feel as if they're your friends as well.
***UPDATE 6/11/2011***
Just finished reading it a second time, and I enjoyed it at least as much as the first time. I guess I have to move on to something else now. Sigh. I have no doubt I'll return to it in the future, though.
***UPDATE 12/15/2012***
Third time!
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Reading Progress
April 22, 2011
– Shelved
May 1, 2011
–
Started Reading
May 14, 2011
–
Finished Reading
December 8, 2012
–
62.62%
"I love how sneaking a read of Ovid leads the young priest into iniquity."
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Gloria wrote: "Third time??Wow.
That speaks volumes all by itself. :)"
Indeed! :)
I have this on my list for over Christmas break. You've convinced me my choice is sound.
Jeffrey wrote: "I have this on my list for over Christmas break. You've convinced me my choice is sound."As sound as a bell. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Two re-reads within two years says a lot. Nice review, Rod.
I... might have to read this now.Granted, the cover art scares the hell out of me, and the fact that the author was born several years after Snorri Sturluson (give or take several centuries) is also highly distressing. But I'll take your word for it.
How about this? 
Or this?
Better?
It's definitely more modern than the Icelandic sagas, but it has the saga flavor. Great translation, too, reading as if it was originally written in the English. Not a "deep" book by any means, but incisive and written with intelligence and wit.
I most approve of the cover with the calligraphic title and the wave-like mountain or mountain-like wave. And I do appreciate the recommendation. It came to my attention because it was sandwiched between two Hamsun books in your Best of Scandinavian something.
I had a Swedish roommate for three years and he never suggested this book... this makes me think he was either not a good Swede or not a good roommate.
Nice review, esp three reads.I let the book tempt me into the movie.
Richard Widmark in the lead, tho not called Orm and surprise
Sidney Poitier as the evil moorish-ish heavy
call the flic a fleeting pleasure -ish
Wow.
That speaks volumes all by itself. :)