The Laxdaela Saga is an interconnected group of stories and myths which originate from Iceland in the Early Middle Ages.
Bringing together a collection of ancient Nordic myths and legends, this book tells the story of Guðrún Ósvífrsdóttir, Kjartan Ólafsson and Bolli Þorleiksson. The three are involved in a love triangle: although Bolli and Kjartan are childhood friends with a long history of helping one another, they come to blows over their shared love of Guðrún.
Unusually feminine in tone and subject matter, historians of Icelandic lore venture that the Laxdaela Saga was authored by a woman. For a time, the story was passed on through the oral tradition: the first records upon paper date to the mid-13th century, some 300 years since the saga is originally thought to have arisen within the culture of Iceland.
Together with the main plot, the saga includes many instances of poetry, which underpins much of the narrative. It is likely the original author was well-acquainted with the lore already present, and had heard enough verse to confidently compose additions to the already sizable Icelandic body of mythology.
For its narrative depth that weaves romance, religion and the essence of Icelander society, The Laxdaela Saga stands as one of the best regarded myths of the era. This translation by Murial A. C. Press goes to great lengths to preserve the sentiment of the story; the heroic deeds of strength and keen intellect alike show the Icelanders of yore to be a hardy and sharp people.
