Thrand of Gotu
`Thrand of Gotutransports the reader back in time to a period of travel and discovery.'(Canadian Book Review Annual)`The chief success of Johnston's translation lies precisely in his ability to suggest the kinds of parody, burlesque, and dark comedyThrand of Gotudepends on as the saga turns the audience's sympathies from a conventional hero, Sigmund Brestisson, a man whose prowess suggests Gunnar of Hlitharendi or Olaf Tryggvason, to Thrand of Gotu, a devious schemer, a wisely ruthless enemy more than a match in wisdom for Sigmund and for successive rulers of Norway, who in saga convention are wiser than their subjects, even including Icelanders.'(University of Toronto Quarterly)`To readThrand of Gotuis to find delight in darkness, to be compelled to take a wise scoundrel's part against an admirable but discerning hero, to find one's definition of the admirable and the shameful challenged, to be continually presented with clearly stated matters which prove enigmas in disguise, to find both the facts and the ethical judgments one would make about them in doubt.Thrand of Gotuis a saga for our time too. The book is a model of excellence in design and production. George Johnston and the publisher deserve many readers and strong sales.'(Letters in Canada)