Hrafnkel's Saga and Other Icelandic Stories Book

Hrafnkel is the son of one of the first Norwegian settlers of Iceland, and wishes to set himself up as a powerful priest-chieftain in this promised land. As he goes through the stages of ambition and pride, loss and humiliation, and vengeance and return to authority, Hrafnkel gradually changes his perception of power among men.

The Icelandic family sagas, the Medieval Scandinavian version of period dramas, include some of the greatest literary masterpieces of European history, among them the legendary love story of Laxdæla Saga, and the greatest achievement of them all - Njáls saga.

Hranfkels saga, I feel, is not a masterpiece on the same level as some of these other hidden gems, but it still is a deeply fascinating story about power, loss and vengeance.

Not only does it put on display excellent examples of the power structures and legal systems of the free Icelandic Commonwealth, it also provides a brilliant introduction to a new reader interested in Medieval Scandinavia and wishing to get an introduction to Old Norse literature. It is short and readable, the English translation is solid, and it contains hints of many of the elements which make other sagas so rewarding.