The Saga of the People of Laxardal and Bolli Bollason’s Tale

Gudrun is headstrong, proud and the most beautiful woman in Iceland. The tragic story of how she comes to betray and destroy the only man she has ever truly loved lies at the heart of this forceful family saga, which traces the passions and blood feuds of three generations of strong women, wise leaders and hot-headed warriors. Written around 1245 but telling of earlier centuries, when magic rites and sorcery clashed with spread of Christianity throughout a rapidly changing Viking world, this tale of revenge slayings and sacrifice, desire and regret, is one of the best loved works of Icelandic literature. The story of Bolli Bollason, Gudrun’s adored son, and his fortune-seeking travels, also appears in this edition.