LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
This spellbinding little book contains a mix of 25 traditional and new Icelandic Folk Tales. Picture Iceland, and a mesmerising image is released, it’s the land of ice and snow, mountains, volcanoes, northern lights, tradition, sagas, and the perfect place for trolls, elves, and ghosts to reside. Hjorleifur Helgi Stefansson lives on the family farm, and grew up with his grandparents close by, saying: “They were born in the old time, in the old country, and they gave me, in my upbringing, a glimpse of another way of thinking and living. Their focus was on people and tradition”. He spends time in Scotland on the storytelling circuit and states that: “I proudly hold the title ‘Pet Viking’. These are tales that are told in the most simple yet vivid way, it was almost as though I could close my eyes and hear them being told. Folk tales often hold warnings, encourage integrity and morality, and of course contain delightfully scary supernatural elements. These tales have the traditional elements stitched into each page and are accompanied by illustrations by Sandstrom Fahlstrom. I’ve included Icelandic Folk Tales as one of my Liz Picks of the Month, it really would make a fabulous stocking filler for anyone who loves the art of storytelling.
Liz Robinson
Find This Book In
About
Icelandic Folk Tales Synopsis
Iceland is a country where stories are as important as history. When Vikings settled the island, they brought their tales with them. Every rock, hot spring and waterfall seems to have its own story. Cruel man-eating trolls rub shoulders with beautiful elves, whose homes are hidden from mortal view. Vengeful ghosts envy the living, seeking to drag lost loves into their graves - or they may simply demand a pinch of your snuff. Some of the stories in this collection are classic Icelandic tales, while others are completely new to English translation. Hjoerleifur has always been deeply interested in the rich lore of his island. His grandparents provided a second home in his upbringing and taught him much about the past through their own way of life. Hjoerleifur is dedicated to breathing fresh life into the stories he loves. He lives on his family farm in Borgarfjoerdur, and also spends a lot of time in Scotland, where he is becoming renowned on the Scottish storytelling circuit.
About This Edition
ISBN: |
9780750993142 |
Publication date: |
30th November 2020 |
Author: |
Hjoerleifur Helgi Stefansson |
Publisher: |
The History Press Ltd |
Format: |
Hardback |
Pagination: |
190 pages |
Primary Genre |
Shorter Reads
|
Other Genres: |
|
Recommendations: |
|
Author
About Hjoerleifur Helgi Stefansson
Professional storyteller, musician, innkeeper, farmer, builder/carpenter, cook, guide, Hjoerleifur Stefansson is Icelandic through and through. From Borgarnes, about 60km north of Reykjavik, on the west side of the island, and with a father from the east side, he has stories from all over the island. he didn't learn stories from a book; he was served stories of old Iceland along with his porridge for years, his grandparents being storytellers by nature. A burgeoning storytelling talent from the far North, last year he wowed audiences at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. He divides his time between Iceland and Scotland.
More About Hjoerleifur Helgi Stefansson