Wonderful story, descriptions made me feel I was there.

books:


	• Astrid: A Viking Saga Joan Felicia Henriksen Pentland Press (NC), 1999 - 290 pages average customer review:based on 5 reviews
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highly recommended

Wonderful story, descriptions made me feel I was there.

This story tells of a woman who goes through tremendous life situations and survives with her spirit intact. It has adventure, a love story and shows a life style of the Viking years. A great read...I didn't want to be interrupted until I finished it.

excellent read

What follows is a part of the informational flyer the publisher has sent out to bookstores, newspapers, etc.

"In the days before Christianity brought the written word to the Viking lands of far Northern Europe, history was a spoken rhythmical saga. These sagas sang of kings and heroes. Only occasionally did a storyteller mention, in passing, the women involved. One such was Astrid...

Astrid's story is told from the time she is fifteen years old, in 955 A.D., the year she chooses a husband and begins accompanying him on raiding and trading expeditions in France and England. In just a short time she would become mother to one of Norway's future kings [Olav Trygveson], while fighting for her own son's life as well as her own. In a rare account of one Viking woman's chronicle, "Astrid: A Viking Saga" traces Astrid's journey as she becomes a mother, a widow and a slave, while attempting to preserve her freedom and make a life for herself and her family.

Based on the recorded events of Astrid's life, "Astrid: A Viking Saga" not only depicts a slice of Viking and women's history, it fills in the unknown gaps with adventure and suspense, bringing to the page a vivid illustration of this tumultuous era. Written by Joan Felicia Henriksen, this grand epic captures all the magnificence and coarseness of the Viking culture and explores the complexity of one young woman's struggle to maintain her independence, strength and dignity. Henriksen blends adventure, romance and history in this riveting page-turner and reveals some little-known facts about a fascinating era. Not only does "Astrid: A Viking Saga" represent years of meticulous research and unwavering interest in the Viking culture, it also reveals Henriksen's fervent desire that the stories of strong and independent women be passed along and preserved."

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Astrid - an exciting story exploring an ancient culture

"Astrid" tells the tale of a woman who has exciting adventures during the days of the Vikings.

It's a great read and I recommend it highly.

Mostly enjoyable, would have preferred longer tale.

After recently finishing Stephen Lawhead's "Byzantium", I felt slightly disappointed in that thiS STORY should have incorporated a much more elaborate tale. Do try "Byzantium" if you find "Astrid" enjoyable.

It's an adult book, despite the title

Although it does have minor flaws, such as no real connection between some parts of the book, "Astrid" is a wonderful book to read, written by a Norwegian woman born and living in the States. The most important observation that should be made, is that the atmosphere of the book is real, you do not have the impression that it is written from today's perspective. Given the incompleteness of original sagas, Henriksen did a decent job, having managed to keep the story consistent and as full as possible. Who knows, maybe the detachment of some parts of the book were intended. If so, there is nothing that should prevent you from reading this book. You should not have an impression that the book is for children. Having read the book, I may assure you, that it is not suitable for kids. On the contrary, some events are either drastic, or have sexual content. Nevertheless, it was written with taste and you will enjoy the book throughout. The book is very Norwegian, if that may be stated by a person that has never been there... Very recommended.

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