The Long Ships
Subtitle: A Saga of the Viking Age
Contributors: Michael Meyer (Translator)
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Published: 1994
Place of publication: London, England
Language: eng
Translation of: Röde Orm
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 480
ISBN-13: 9780006126096
Subjects: Historical fiction; Fiction
Other titles: Röde Orm
Description: This saga brings alive the world of the 10th century AD when the Vikings raided the coasts of England.
Acclaimed as one of the best historical novels ever written, this engaging saga of Viking adventure in 10th century northern Europe has a very appealing young hero, Orm Tostesson, whose story we follow from inexperienced youth to adventurous old age, through slavery and adventure to a royal marriage and the search for great treasure. Viking expeditions take him to lands as far apart as England, Moorish Spain, Gaardarike (the country that was to become Russia), and the long road to Miklagard. The salt-sea spray, the swaying deck awash in slippery blood are the backdrop to fascinating stories of King Harald Blue Tooth, the Jomsvikings, attempts to convert the Northmen to Christianity, and much else. Like H. Rider Haggard, Bengtsson is a master of the epic form.