Folktales of Norway

Book Overview

Often lacking the clear episodic structure of folktales about talking animals and magic objects, legends grow from retellings of personal experiences. Christiansen isolated some seventy-seven legend types, and many of these are represented here in absorbing stories of St. Olaf, hidden treasures, witches, and spirits of the air, water, and earth. The ugly, massively strong, but slow-witted trolls are familiar to English-speaking readers. Less well-known, but the subject of an enormous number of legends, are the more manlike yet sinister "huldre-folk" who live in houses and try to woo human girls. These tales reflect the wildness of Norway, its mountains, forests, lakes, and sea, and the stalwart character of its sparse population.

"The translation is excellent, retaining the traditional Norwegian style . . . the tales themselves will also appeal to the interested layman."-Library Journal

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226105105
• ISBN13: 9780226105109
• Release Date: September 1968
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 330 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

The high point of Norwegian litterature

Skip Ibsen. The high point of Norwegian litterature is Asbjørnsen and Moe's folk tales. Just like American litterature started with Mark Twant, truly Norwegian litterature started with Asbjørnsen and Moe, and it is thanks to them we have what other peoples lack, a popular manner of speech that does not lack dignity. And if you want to get acquainted with the Norwegian way of thinking in the nineteenth century and earlier, Asbjørnsen and Moe is the closest thing we have to a poll. Ferdinand Linthoe Næshagen.

fairytales for grownups

Seems like the definitive readily available book for serious treatment of Norway's folktales. None of the dumb-it-down treacle that is so often pitched at kids, even includes notes re where the tale was collected, how common such tales are, etc. Not necessarily tales that will amuse your 4-year old, but an interesting window into what interested folk in earlier times. Highly recommended.