A reading guide
Norse sagas and Viking books
These Norse mythology books and Viking sagas range from poems about Odin and Thor to stories of feuds, kings and sea voyages. For a first encounter with the myths, start with Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas.
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Where to start
Start hereMyths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and SagasH. A. GuerberBegin with the making of the world, then follow Odin, Thor and other gods through stories of conflict and danger.
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Another way inEirik the Red's SagaJohn Sephton (Translator)Choose a compact sea journey, following Eirik from an Icelandic feud to Greenland and the voyages west toward Vinland.
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Or tryThe Story of Burnt NjalAnonymous; George Webbe Dasent (translator)Start here for human conflict, as a farmer's efforts to settle disputes meet family revenge and the bonds of friendship.
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The books
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The Eddas and the sagas
| # | First published | Book | Kind | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Poetic EddaAnonymous Anonymous Old Norse poems bring together the gods, the world's beginnings and destruction, and heroes caught between loyalty and vengeance. | Poems | Free to startRead free | |
| 2 | About 1220 | The Younger EddaSnorri Sturluson Stories of Odin, Thor, Loki and the giants explain the language and forms of older Norse poetry. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
| 3 | About 1270 | The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga)Unknown Generations of the Volsung family face curses, feuds and revenge, with courage and conflicting duties shaping their lives. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 4 | About 1280 | The Story of Burnt NjalAnonymous; George Webbe Dasent (translator) An Icelandic farmer's knowledge of law meets the force of family feuds, while his friendship with a warrior becomes entangled. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 5 | About 1250 | Eirik the Red's SagaJohn Sephton (Translator) A feud sends Eirik from Iceland to Greenland, while further voyages carry Norse settlers toward Vinland and unfamiliar dangers. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
| 6 | About 1230 | Heimskringla; Or, The Chronicle of the Kings of NorwaySnorri Sturluson Norway's kings pursue and defend royal power through warfare, alliances and religious change, beginning in the legendary age of gods. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
| 7 | About 1200 | The Orkneyinga SagaAnonymous Successive generations of Norse earls in Orkney and Shetland contest land and authority through battles and family quarrels. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
Retellings, myths and Viking tales
| # | First published | Book | Kind | Read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1909 | Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and SagasH. A. Guerber Beginning with the world's creation, these stories follow Norse gods, giants, heroes and monsters through conflict and danger. | Stories | Free to startRead free |
| 2 | 1875 | Norse MythologyRasmus Björn Anderson Drawing on the Eddas, this account connects Norse myths into a religious system stretching from creation to the world's ending. | Non-fiction | Free to startRead free |
| 3 | 1859 | Popular Tales from the NorseGeorge Webbe Dasent Norwegian folk tales bring youngest sons, helpful animals, trolls and kings into contests shaped by cleverness and unexpected assistance. | Stories | Free to startRead free |
| 4 | 1902 | Viking TalesJennie Hall Stories drawn from Norse sagas follow rulers, sailors and families through feuds and voyages that test courage and loyalty. | Stories | Free to startRead free |
| 5 | 1891 | Eric BrighteyesH. Rider Haggard In Viking-age Iceland, a young man's hopes of marriage encounter jealousy, rival claims and a wealthy chieftain's opposition. | Novel | Free to startRead free |
Questions
What are the best books on Norse mythology?
Start with The Poetic Edda and The Younger Edda for poems and stories about the Norse gods. For retellings, choose Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas. Norse Mythology offers a connected account of the myths, from the world's creation to its ending.
Where should I start with the Icelandic sagas?
Start with Eirik the Red's Saga for voyages, or The Story of Burnt Njal for friendship, law and family revenge. The first follows settlement in Greenland and journeys toward Vinland; the second centres on an Icelandic farmer trying to settle disputes that can grow into lasting feuds.
What is the Poetic Edda?
The Poetic Edda is a collection of anonymous Old Norse poems about gods and heroes. Its mythological poems feature Odin, Thor and Loki, alongside accounts of the world's beginnings and destruction. Its heroic poems explore conflicts of loyalty and vengeance.
What is the difference between the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda?
The Poetic Edda gathers anonymous poems, while the Prose Edda explains Norse myths and poetic language. The Prose Edda is also known as The Younger Edda. Snorri Sturluson's work uses stories of the gods and giants to explain the language and forms of older poetry.
Which Norse sagas are the shortest?
Eirik the Red's Saga is the shortest saga on this list. It follows Eirik's departure from Iceland, settlement in Greenland and further voyages toward Vinland. For another compact starting point, Viking Tales offers separate stories drawn from Norse sagas, featuring sea journeys, feuds and family loyalties.
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