The Saga of the People of Laxardal and Bolli Bollason's Tale

Book excerpt: ‘Though I treated him worst, I loved him best’ Gudrun is headstrong, proud and the most beautiful woman in Iceland. The tragic story of how she comes to betray and destroy the only man she has ever truly loved lies at the heart of this family saga, which traces the passions and blood feuds of three generations. Written around 1245 but telling of earlier centuries, when magic rites and sorcery clashed with the spread of Christianity throughout the Viking world, this tale of revenge slayings and sacrifice, desire and regret, is one of the best-loved works of Icelandic literature. The accompanying sequel tells of Bolli Bollason, Gudrun’s adored son, and his fortune-seeking exploits. Translated by Keneva Kunz Edited with an Introduction by Bergljót S. Kristjánsdóttir