The long ships by frans g bengtsson book cover, description, publication history. Set in the tenth century, when vikings roamed and rampaged from scandinavia to the mediterranean. Bengtsson hardcover, 520 pages nyrb classics list price. The narrative is set in the late 10th century and follows the. The long ships by frans gunnar bengtsson fiction advocate. The long ships, originally published in swedish in. The first edition of this novel was published in 1941, and was written by frans g.
This book does seem to be historically correct and it details how christianity was spread throughout scandinavia, something which seemed unlikely given that the vikings were so keen on raiding holy islands and murdering monks and priests. Jun 28, 2010 the dioscuri of 19thcentury realism, factual precision and mundane detail, set sail on the long ships with nationalism, medievalism and exoticism for shipmates, brandishing a banner of 19thcentury romance. Easton press the long ships bengtsson leatherbound. Frans gunnar bengtssons the long ships resurrects the fantastic world of the tenth century ad when the vikings roamed and rampaged from the northern fastnesses of scandinavia down to the mediterranean. Bengtsson has 35 books on goodreads with 17423 ratings. The long ships by frans bengtsson pining for the west. The long ships by frans gunnar bengtsson books library. Copies of part 1 and part 2 should not be combined with this. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Frans gunnar bengtssons the long ships resurrects the fantastic world of the tenth century ad when the vikings roamed and rampaged from. Dec 05, 2017 listen to long ships audiobook by frans g.
A beloved viking saga and masterpiece of historical fiction, the long ships is a. The book was published in multiple languages including english language, consists of 477 pages and is available in paperback format. The san francisco chronicle and both herald bengtssons novel as a thrilling, intriguefilled read perfect for the summer. Aug 20, 2010 the long ships by frans bengtsson nyrb classics 520 pp. Inspired by the success of the vikings 1958 starring kirk douglas and tony curtis, producer irving allen acquired film rights to swedish writer frans bengtsson s novel the long ships, an actionadventure about the rivalry between a norse adventurer and a moorish sheik over a golden treasure. The long ships 1964 was released as the popularity of the historical epic genre was on the wane. It is starkly different to modern fiction, but is refreshing.
The long ships or red orm is an adventure novel by the swedish writer frans g. Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free. The long ships by frans bengtsson is a scandinavian classic and was first published in english in 1954, translated from swedish to english by michael meyer. The narrative is set in the late 10th century and follows the adventures of the viking rode orm called red for his hair and his temper, a native of scania. Bengtsson 18941954 was a poet, essayist, and biographer before writing his one and only novel, the long ships. Bengtsson data of the paperback book long ships, the. Bengtsson 18941954 was born and raised in the southern swedish province of skane, the son of an estate manager. Written in 3rdperson viking, the long ships gives a more favorable view of the norsemen, especially orm tostesson, who travels widely and sees the world, such as it was in the 10th century a. Bengtsson, 9780007560707, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The best viking novel youll ever read swedish author frans g. The book portrays the political situation of europe in the later viking age, andalusia under almansur, denmark under harald bluetooth, followed by the struggle between eric the victorious and sven forkbeard, ireland under brian boru, england. To ask other readers questions about the long ships, please sign up. Later, he is captured by the moors in spain and, escaping from captivity, washes up in ireland, where he marvels at the christian monks. Though not as well known as the other two, this saga of viking adventurers resembles them in recreating a convincing and authentic historical period, peopled by characters whom we can relate to, even though they are not as in so many historical novels.
The book was originally published in sweden in two parts in 1941 and 1945 under the title of rode orm before being published in english translation in 1954. This is a great read which combines viking raids in various countries, slavery, conversion to islam under duress, escapes, fights and battles aplenty, romance and details of domesticity in the late 10th century. Bengtsson and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. Of all the historical novels ive read, the ones that stand out for me are quo vadis, i, claudius, and frans bengtsson s the long ships. Highbridge, a division of recorded books frans gunnar bengtssons. This book is the 1637th greatest fiction book of all time as determined by. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Bengtsson audio book torrent free download, 119940. Bengtsson is set during the 10th century ad and tells the life story of orm tostesson, known as red orm. The long ships by frans bengtsson nyrb classics 520 pp. Its got everything youd want from a fun summer read.
His early writings, including a doctoral thesis on geoffrey chaucer and two volumes of poetry written in what were considered antiquated verse forms, revealed a careerlong interest in historical literary modes and themes. This is a lusty viking tale of adventure with much roaming, many battles, bloodfeuds and a treasure hunt. The whole work was translated into english by michael meyer as the long ships in 1954. Bengtsson was the first successful practitioner of the informal essay in sweden. Red orm is only a boy when he is abducted from his danish home by the vikings and made to. The long ships by bengtsson, frans gunnar and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Michael chabon gives it an enthusiastic introduction, marveling that he knows only three other people who have read the book. Bengtsson 18941954 was a poet, essayist, and biographer before writin. Rode orm meaning red serpent or red snake is an adventure novel by the swedish writer frans g. A boy abducted by the vikings from his danish home is made to take his place at the oars of their ships. This is the fantastic opening theme music to the 1963 britishyugoslavian viking film, the long ships. I do not own this music or anything else that has to do with the film or the novel by frans. Buy a cheap copy of the long ships book by frans g. This book was originally released in swedish in two parts, in 1941 and 1945. Aug 27, 2010 before i go on about what a wonderful book this is, i should mention that this new edition of frans g. Frans gunnar bengtssons the long ships resurrects the fantastic world of the tenth century ad when the vikings roamed and rampaged from the northern fastnesses of. Its flowing prose, the dialogue between characters. It as a sense of gravitas, as if it were a book written hundreds of years ago. Bengtssons the long ships is introduced by pulitzer prizewinning author michael chabon, who knows a thing or two about storytelling.
Let me say that the long ships was the most fun read ive had in a long time. Frans bengtsson was a poet and biographer and the long ships was his only novel, its a great viking saga. A new edition of the long ships will be released by nyrb classics this july. The first part was translated into english by barrows mussey as red orm in 1943. Buy long ships by frans g bengtsson online at alibris. Bengtsson, swedish essayist, novelist, poet, and biographer, was born in tossjo, near kristianstad, as the son of the manager of an estate in skane. We are delighted to announce that, though published just this month, frans g.
The long ships by frans g bengtsson fantastic fiction. Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Bengtssons hero, red ormcanny, courageous, and above all luckyis only a boy when he is abducted from his danish home by the vikings. Many books i read seem almost obligatory, and being a slow reader, i slog through even books like the long ships that i genuinely like. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Bengtsson, a swede, knows his history, as well he should himself a translator of many olden works such as paradise lost and the song of roland.