Saga of Gunnlaug the Worm-Tongue and Raven the Skald
by
Read by Phil Schempf
In medieval Iceland, two poets become rivals for the love of Helga, a woman whose beauty and judgment draw them into a conflict that reaches beyond the household. Gunnlaug and Raven are skalds—poets whose words can win honor, but whose pride can also sharpen a quarrel.
Their ambitions carry them across the northern seas and into the service of kings. Distance and competing claims deepen the rivalry, while the customs of honor and reputation leave little room for retreat when an insult is perceived.
Rooted in Icelandic saga tradition, the story brings together courtly verse, travel, and a feud with personal consequences. It offers a spare, old-world account of how love and wounded pride can turn a contest of words toward violence.
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Reviews
interesting
Teacher
The story is very interesting and leaves you wondering what will happen. I did not like the "singing" too much but, nevertheless, it would likely have been done like that in the old days when being retold. I enjoyed it.
Michael Loud
I heard 'Aethelred' and 'Alfred' so I'm thinking 9th century?