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The Story of the Volsungs: The Volsunga Saga Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,747 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Originally written in Icelandic in the thirteenth century AD by an anonymous author, The Story of The Volsungs is a legendary saga based on Norse mythology. The epic describes the legendary history and heroic feats of several generations of mythic Viking families and derives from many sources, including preexisting Edda, or heroic poems, Norse legends, historical events, and orally transmitted folklore. The saga is imbued throughout with themes of power, jealousy, love, vengeance, and fear. Often considered a critical influence on such later works as Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle and J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Story of the Volsungs is a powerful epic that continues to resonate for modern listeners. This edition—which includes excerpts from the Poetic Eddas, one of the sources of The Story of the Volsungs—is the translation by William Morris and Eirikr Magnusson.
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"This book is truly its genre: EPIC! The stories within the Saga are so intense with raging emotions, drama, and bloodshed. I do suggest reading 'The Poetic Edda' before this though as it will give you a stronger idea of what is going on (Because even an English translation of a 13th C. Icelandic text is difficult to read!). A definite read for any love of Norse Mythology."
— Max (5 out of 5 stars)
The Story of the Volsungs Listener Reviews
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" This book was excellent! Its cool to finally know where a lot of our popular fantasy like Lord of the Rings originated. The translation was great as well. The story is so cool but at the same time so depressing. Everyone is bent on revenge and the love of gold. Every one ends up dead or in the throws of despair and then they end up dead anyway. But still, it is great. "
— Josh, 2/11/2014 -
" Interesting set of stories but a little hard to get through. "
— Eric, 2/5/2014 -
" This saga reads like a translation, but that does not detract from the storyline or the history and myth found within. This is one of the best known Icelandic stories and the translation with notes is helpful in getting the full meaning behind the text. "
— ben, 1/25/2014 -
" The Penguin Classics edition has a very informative introduction, which, it appears, Christopher Tolkien mined for his introduction to The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun. A very readable version of the great Norse epic! "
— James, 1/24/2014 -
" One of the many sources of Tolkien's Middle Earth, the saga is interesting for the details that show up in his works (dragons, cursed rings, a broken sword that must be reforged, etc.) but is also great on its own, especially if you appreciate mythology and folklore. "
— Amelia, 1/23/2014 -
" Quite the read for anyone who wishes to know legends of the Norse peoples. "
— Tim, 1/17/2014 -
" This Viking saga probably has more roots in so called "myth" than any others I have read and its one of the most entertaining ones also. Includes appearances by Odin, Valkyries and a dragon along with all the usual inter tribal "politics" of heads getting cracked by swords and axes. "
— Cwn_annwn_13, 1/16/2014 -
" Absolutely one of my favorite things to read, I could read this book again and again. "
— Stephanie, 12/2/2013 -
" This story was actually interesting and had a great flow to it, for an ancient saga. I love seeing how much popular culture is influenced by these old stories. There are so many connections to an author like Tolkein, for example. "
— Katrina, 10/29/2013 -
" Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson captured and created some of the most entertaining and beautiful stories ever. Scandanvian literature can never be exalted enough, and without his works it would be a much less interesting world to live in. "
— Rod, 10/3/2013 -
" my favorite epic poem of all time! also, the source material for wagner's ring cycle, and tolkien's lord of the rings! "
— Drew, 9/29/2013 -
" Epic story about a dragon-slaying hero, treasure, a reforged sword, a valkyrie, revenge, and romance. "
— Lisa, 5/27/2013 -
" Completely bizarre, but really fun to read. Tolkien nuts, this is also the inspiration for Wagner's ring saga and Tolkien's own Lord of the Rings. "
— Jessica, 2/14/2013 -
" This book, specifically the notes, isn't perfect, but it's a great introduction into an era of lit of which we in the US are only now starting to me aware. "
— Michelle, 11/19/2012 -
" I love these sagas. You can really see the inspiration it has in other authors like Tolkien, of course. It is very different from Contemporary literature but it is somewhat refreshing. "
— Andrea, 7/15/2012 -
" good translation. with an excellent glossary and meanings. not to mention some history on the original translations. "
— Randel, 7/7/2012 -
" So far a five star. Why didn't I read this earlier? "
— Paul, 11/18/2011 -
" Excellent tale that rings of some Lord of the Rings ideas. "
— Johndchrisman, 10/24/2011
About Anonymous
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616), novelist, playwright, and poet, was born in Spain of an ancient but impoverished family. After studying in Madrid, he became a soldier and was wounded in battle. He was taken by pirates in 1575, put in prison at Algiers, and was ransomed five years later. He spent the remainder of his life struggling to earn a livelihood from literature and humble government employment. His first attempt at fiction was a pastoral novel, La Galatea (1585), which was followed by his masterpiece, The Adventures of Don Quixote de la Mancha (1605).
About Antony Ferguson
Antony Ferguson, Earphones Award–winning narrator, was born in London. He has performed successfully on both sides of the Atlantic and has played many leading roles in theater, film, and television.