Icelandic Folktales — UK Paperback Edition
A UK paperback collection of 256 pages gathering Icelandic folktales that blend elemental landscapes, sly humour, and moral complexity—stories of princes, giantesses, elves, and cunning heroines presented in accessible translations with cultural notes.
Key Features
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 256 pages
- Publisher: Flame Tree 451
- Series: The World’s Greatest Myths and Legends
- Language: English
- Audience: Readers of folklore, Norse myths, and Scandinavian storytelling
Product Details
This volume curates classic tales from Iceland’s oral tradition, including "The Story of the Three Princes," "Hildur Queen of Elves," "The Giantess and the Granite Boat," and "The Magic Scythe." Selections emphasize morally intricate narratives and resilient protagonists who outwit trolls, ogres, and witch‑like figures. Each story is paired with concise cultural notes that explain local beliefs, landscape influences, and storytelling conventions to help readers appreciate the tales’ original context and enduring themes.
Origins & Craftsmanship
Sourced from Icelandic oral and folkloric traditions, the collection reflects a narrative culture shaped by stark terrain, seasonal extremes, and Norse literary lineage, where encounters with hidden people, elves, and supernatural beings serve both cautionary and instructive functions.