SaGa

Author: Shi Qing'e
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: This book collects five "Sagas," which are ancient narrative literary works from Iceland: The Saga of Egil, The Saga of the Salmon River, The Saga of Njáls, The Saga of Grettir, and The Saga of V?lsung. These five "Sagas" narrate the rise and fall of families and the achievements of ancient heroic figures. They span a long history and vast geography, showcasing the unique social life, customs, and the bold and optimistic spirit of the people in ancient Iceland and Norway. The term "Saga" derives from a verb in Old German, meaning "to say" or "to tell," essentially referring to storytelling. Around the 13th century, Icelanders and Norwegians recorded oral literature that narrated the heroic deeds of their ancestors in prose, which was then edited and compiled into Sagas. There are over 150 Sagas that have survived to this day, primarily reflecting the battle experiences of heroic figures in the clan societies of Iceland and Scandinavia, as well as the social life, customs, religious beliefs, and spirit of the people. They also include biographies, family genealogies, and local histories. This collection includes five Sagas, with The Saga of Egil and The Saga of V?lsung being the exceptions. The other three belong to the "Icelandic Sagas," or the family sagas of Iceland, to distinguish them from stories adapted from German heroic epics. These five sagas are among the most valuable treasures in the genre, offering a glimpse into the broader world of Sagas.