The long ships by frans bengtsson pining for the west. Bengtsson 18941954 was a poet, essayist, and biographer before writin. The first edition of this novel was published in 1941, and was written by frans g. 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. The long ships, originally published in swedish in. The first part was translated into english by barrows mussey as red orm in 1943. 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. The long ships by frans gunnar bengtsson books library. I do not own this music or anything else that has to do with the film or the novel by frans. Bengtsson and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. 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. Copies of part 1 and part 2 should not be combined with this.
Everyday low prices on a huge range of new releases and classic fiction. Bengtsson 18941954 was a poet, essayist, and biographer before writing his one and only novel, the long ships. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The long ships by frans bengtsson nyrb classics 520 pp. Aug 27, 2010 before i go on about what a wonderful book this is, i should mention that this new edition of frans g. Later, he is captured by the moors in spain and, escaping from captivity, washes up in ireland, where he marvels at the christian monks. The narrative is set in the late 10th century and follows the. It is starkly different to modern fiction, but is refreshing. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The san francisco chronicle and both herald bengtssons novel as a thrilling, intriguefilled read perfect for the summer. Set in the tenth century, when vikings roamed and rampaged from scandinavia to the mediterranean.
Bengtsson audio book torrent free download, 119940. Highbridge, a division of recorded books frans gunnar bengtssons. Bengtsson 18941954 was born and raised in the southern swedish province of skane, the son of an estate manager. The best viking novel youll ever read swedish author frans g. The long ships 1964 was released as the popularity of the historical epic genre was on the wane. Bengtssons the long ships is introduced by pulitzer prizewinning author michael chabon, who knows a thing or two about storytelling. Aug 20, 2010 the long ships by frans bengtsson nyrb classics 520 pp. Bengtssons hero, red ormcanny, courageous, and above all luckyis only a boy when he is abducted from his danish home by the vikings. The long ships by bengtsson, frans gunnar and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
Bengtsson, 9780007560707, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. 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. Rode orm meaning red serpent or red snake is an adventure novel by the swedish writer frans g. A beloved viking saga and masterpiece of historical fiction, the long ships is a. 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. A boy abducted by the vikings from his danish home is made to take his place at the oars of their ships. 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. We are delighted to announce that, though published just this month, frans g. Bengtsson, swedish essayist, novelist, poet, and biographer, was born in tossjo, near kristianstad, as the son of the manager of an estate in skane.
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. 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. The whole work was translated into english by michael meyer as the long ships in 1954. The long ships by frans g bengtsson book cover, description, publication history. Bengtsson is set during the 10th century ad and tells the life story of orm tostesson, known as red orm. Bengtsson was the first successful practitioner of the informal essay in sweden. Frans gunnar bengtssons the long ships resurrects the fantastic world of the tenth century ad when the vikings roamed and rampaged from. Its flowing prose, the dialogue between characters. The main characters of this historical, historical fiction story are orm tostesson. Easton press the long ships bengtsson leatherbound.
If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. Bengtsson has 35 books on goodreads with 17423 ratings. To ask other readers questions about the long ships, please sign up. 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. Bengtsson data of the paperback book long ships, the. 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. The long ships by frans g bengtsson fantastic fiction. 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. This book is the 1637th greatest fiction book of all time as determined by. Dec 05, 2017 listen to long ships audiobook by frans g. 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.
Frans bengtsson was a poet and biographer and the long ships was his only novel, its a great viking saga. This is a lusty viking tale of adventure with much roaming, many battles, bloodfeuds and a treasure hunt. Buy a cheap copy of the long ships book by frans g. 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 book was originally released in swedish in two parts, in 1941 and 1945. 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. The long ships or red orm is an adventure novel by the swedish writer frans g. Bengtsson hardcover, 520 pages nyrb classics list price. 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. Its got everything youd want from a fun summer read. The long ships by frans gunnar bengtsson fiction advocate. Red orm is only a boy when he is abducted from his danish home by the vikings and made to. Let me say that the long ships was the most fun read ive had in a long time.
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