Set in the fourteenth century in Europe's most far-flung outpost, a land of glittering fjords, blasting winds, sun-warmed meadows, and high, dark, mountains, The Greenlanders is the story of one family - proud landowner Asgeir Gunnarsson; his daughter Margret, whose wilful independence leads her into passionate adultery and exile; and his son, Gunnar, whose quest for knowledge is at the compelling centre of this unforgettable book. Jane Smiley takes us into this world of farmers, priests, and lawspeakers, of hunts and feasts and long-standing feuds, and by an act of literary magic, makes a remote time, place, and people not only real, but dear to us.
From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of A Thousand Acres—and "a diverse and masterly writer” (The New York Times Book Review)—comes an enthralling epic tale, written in the tradition of the old Norse sagas, that takes us to fourteenth-century Greenland and tells the story of a proud landowner and his unforgettable family. Jane Smiley brings us to a farflung place of glittering fjords, blasting winds, sun-warmed meadows, and high, dark mountains. This is the story of one family: proud landowner Asgeir Gunnarsson; his daughter Margret, whose willful independence leads her into passionate adultery and exile; and his son Gunnar, whose quest for knowledge is at the compelling center of this unforgettable book. Jane Smiley immerses us in this world of farmers, priests, and lawspeakers, of hunts and feasts and long-standing feuds, and by an act of literary magic, makes a remote time, place, and people not only real but dear to us.
The Saga of the Greenlanders and Eirik the Red’s Saga contain the first ever descriptions of North America, a bountiful land of grapes and vines, discovered by Vikings five centuries before Christopher Columbus. Written down in the early thirteenth century, they recount the Icelandic settlement of Greenland by Eirik the Red, the chance discovery by seafaring adventurers of a mysterious new land, and Eirik’s son Leif the Lucky’s perilous voyages to explore it. Wrecked by storms, stricken by disease and plagued by navigational mishaps, some survived the North Atlantic to pass down this compelling tale of the first Europeans to talk with, trade with, and war with the Native Americans.
This eBook has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Saga of the Greenlanders and Erik the Red's Saga are the main literary sources of information for the Norse exploration of North America. These sagas relate the colonization of Greenland by Erik the Red and his followers and they describe several expeditions further west led by Erik's children and Þorfinnr "Karlsefni" Þórðarson.
The 'Saga of the Greenlanders & Erik the Red' presents an enriching collection that weaves through the fabric of Norse exploration, combining legendary narratives with historical accounts. This anthology juxtaposes various literary styles, from the epic sagas that have shaped our understanding of Viking expeditions to the detailed annals recounting daily lives in harsh, uncharted territories. Its significance lies in the compilation of works that offer a panoramic view of Norse culture and exploration, with pieces that stand out for their depth in exploring the trials and resilience of these early adventurers. The range of literary styles serves as a testament to the diversity and complexity of the Norse literary tradition, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of its thematic richness and historical depth. John Sephton and Arthur Middleton Reeves, the editors and translators of this collection, bring together their scholarly expertise and deep appreciation for Norse literature. Their backgrounds in medieval studies and Norse traditions lend a critical eye to the selection, ensuring a cohesive blend of narratives that truly embody the spirit of Norse exploration. This anthology aligns with significant cultural and literary movements by highlighting the sagas' contributions to our understanding of pre-modern European narratives, reflecting on themes of exploration, survival, and the human spirit. 'Readers looking to immerse themselves in the saga tradition of the Norse will find 'Saga of the Greenlanders & Erik the Red' an indispensable collection. It offers a unique opportunity to explore the narratives that have captivated scholars and enthusiasts alike, providing a window into the Viking age's societal values, beliefs, and worldviews. This anthology is not just a historical or literary journey; it is an invitation to experience the breadth of Norse culture through the eyes of its people, making it an essential read for anyone interested in medieval literature, exploration narratives, or the saga tradition itself.
Tété-Michel Kpomassie was a teenager in Togo when he discovered a book about Greenland—and knew that he must go there. Working his way north over nearly a decade, Kpomassie finally arrived in the country of his dreams. This brilliantly observed and superbly entertaining record of his adventures among the Inuit is a testament both to the wonderful strangeness of the human species and to the surprising sympathies that bind us all.
The Saga of the Greenlanders (Groenlendinga Saga) is one of the two Icelandic Sagas which make up the Vínland Sagas (Vínlandingasögur) which tell the story of the Norse discovery of North America. The story includes the events leading up to Erik the Red being banished from Iceland and discovering Greenland. Following the accidental discovery of lands further west of Greenland, there are a number of expeditions to explore and settle these lands. The story survived by oral tradition over several centuries before being written down in the 13th century. It is preserved in the Flateyjarbók. This book is designed to be of use to anyone studying or with a keen interest in Old Norse or Old Icelandic, clearly showing how these languages work, and the influence of these languages on English. Both Old Norse and Old Icelandic versions are included. This edition is laid out in three columns, the original text, a literal word-for-word translation, and a modern translation. Also included is a word list with over 1,000 definitions. Also available in this series: The Saga of Erik the Red (Eiríks Saga Rauða) and The Vínland Sagas (Vínlandingasögur).
Shortlisted for the 2023 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction A dazzling, debut novel-within-a-novel in the vein of The Prophets and Memorial, about a young author writing about the secret love affair between E.M. Forster and Mohammed el Adl—in which Mohammed’s story collides with his own, blending fact and fiction. In 1919, Mohammed el Adl, the young Egyptian lover of British author E. M. Forster, spent six months in a jail cell. A century later, Kip Starling has locked himself in his Brooklyn basement study with a pistol and twenty-one gallons of Poland Spring to write Mohammed’s story. Kip has only three weeks until his publisher’s deadline to immerse himself in the mind of Mohammed who, like Kip, is Black, queer, an Other. The similarities don't end there. Both of their lives have been deeply affected by their confrontations with Whiteness, homophobia, their upper crust education, and their white romantic partners. As Kip immerses himself in his writing, Mohammed’s story – and then Mohammed himself – begins to speak to him, and his life becomes a Proustian portal into Kip's own memories and psyche. Greenland seamlessly conjures two distinct yet overlapping worlds where the past mirrors the present, and the artist’s journey transforms into a quest for truth that offers a world of possibility. Electric and unforgettable, David Santos Donaldson’s tour de force excavates the dream of white assimilation, the foibles of interracial relationships, and not only the legacy of a literary giant, but literature itself.
A comprehensive illustrated field guide to the birds of North America, ideal for the travelling birdwatcher. Each species found in the area is illustrated in every plumage in which they can be seen in the wild. The text concentrates on the characteristics and appearance of each species, which aids identification in the field.
