The Long Ships

Locations
Call Number: Adult Book / Fiction / Classic / Bengtsson, Frans G., Fiction / Bengtsson, Frans
On Shelf At: Westgate Branch

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Westgate Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Classic / Bengtsson, Frans G.	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Bengtsson, Frans	4-week checkout	Due 04-29-2024

Translated from Swedish.
Originally published: London : Harper Collins, 1954.
Part One. LONG VOYAGE -- I. Concerning Thane Toste and his household -- II. Concerning Krok's expedition, and how Orm set forth on his first voyage -- III. How they sailed southwards, and how they found themselves a good guide -- IV. How Krok's men came to Ramiro's kingdom, and how they paid a rewarding visit -- V. How Krok's luck changed twice, and how Orm became left-handed -- VI. Concerning the Jew Solomon and the Lady Subaida, and how Orm got his sword Blue-Tongue -- VII. How Orm served Almansur, and how he sailed with St. James' bell -- VIII. Concerning Orm's sojourn among the monks of St. Finnian, and how a great miracle occurred at Jellinge -- IX. How King Harald Bluetooth celebrated Yule -- X. How Orm lost his necklace -- XI. Concerning the wrath of Brother Willibald, and how Orm tried his hand at wooing -- XII. How Orm came home from his long voyage -- Part Two. IN KING ETHELRED'S KINGDOM -- I. Concerning the battle that was fought at Maldon, and what came after it -- II. Concerning spiritual things -- III. Concerning marriage and baptism, and King Ethelred's silver -- IV. How Brother Willibald taught King Sven a maxim from the Scriptures -- Part Three. IN THE BORDER COUNTRY -- I. How Orm built his house and church and how they named his red-haired daughters -- II. How they planned a christening feast for King Harald's grandson -- III. Concerning the strangers that came with salt, and how King Sven lost a head -- IV. How Orm preached to the salt-peddler -- V. Concerning the great christening feast, and how the first Smalanders came to be baptized -- VI. Concerning four strange beggars, and how the Erin Masters came to Father Willibald's assistance -- VII. Concerning the King of Sweden's sword-bearer, and the magister from Aachen and his sins -- VIII. Concerning the sinful magister's second sin and the penance to which he was condemned for it -- IX. How the magister searched for heifers and sat in a cherry tree -- X. Concerning the women's doings at the Kraka Stone, and how Blue-Tongue's edge became dented -- XI. Concerning Toke Gray-Gullsson and a misfortune that befell him, and of a foul gift Orm received from the Finnvedings -- XII. Concerning the Thing at the Kraka Stone -- Part Four. BULGAR GOLD -- I. Concerning the end of the world, and how Orm's children grew up -- II. Concerning the man from the East -- III. Concerning the story of the Bulgar gold -- IV. How they planned to get the gold -- V. How they sailed to the Gotland Vi -- VI. How they rowed to the Dnieper -- VII. Concerning what happened at the weirs -- VIII. How Orm met an old friend -- IX. Concerning their journey home, and how Olof Summerbird vowed to become a Christian -- X. How they settled accounts with the crazy magister -- XI. Concerning the great hounds' chase.
Set in the tenth century, when Vikings roamed and rampaged from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean. A boy abducted by the Vikings from his Danish home is made to take his place at the oars of their ships. Later, he is captured by the Moors in Spain and, escaping from captivity, washes up in Ireland, where he marvels at the Christian monks. Eventually, he contributes to the Viking defeat of the army of the king of England, and returns home a Christian and a very rich man.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Summary / Annotation
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

An engrossing read submitted by scrabbler on August 3, 2017, 12:42pm This book was captivating and surprisingly funny in places. I didn't think I had a huge interest in 10th century Viking culture, certainly not via a novel first published in English in 1955. I picked it up reluctantly after seeing strong reviews from a writer I respected. I would have missed a great read had I not taken the chance. The thing that has stuck with me is the Viking practicality and acceptance of fate, and sincere respect for their enemies. There were some thought-provoking turns of plot that stem from those traits. I ended this book sorry it was over and mystified that no one had told me about it sooner. I suspect it's a book I'll come back to for a re-read, for the pure enjoyment of it.