Völsungasaga


Read by Corpang

(4.6 stars; 82 reviews)

The 13th century Icelandic Völsungasaga is usually read by people studying the Poetic Edda or Wagner's Ring - which obscures the fact it is a much better story than practically everything derived from it. A riddle-telling dragon, a broken sword, a hooded mysterious wanderer - cannibalism, incest, mutilation, and sensitive hearts. This is R-rated Tolkien - and the unashamedly archaic Magnússon-Morris translation is up for the adventure.

Passages spoken in Old Norse are taken from the edition of Sophus Bugge, Berlin, 1891.
(Summary by Corpang)

(4 hr 3 min)

Chapters

Chapters I - V 19:08 Read by Corpang
Chapters VI - VIII 18:02 Read by Corpang
Chapters IX - XI 17:20 Read by Corpang
Chapters XII - XV 21:21 Read by Corpang
Chapters XVI - XIX 25:36 Read by Corpang
Chapters XX - XXIV 23:26 Read by Corpang
Chapters XXV - XXVII 22:17 Read by Corpang
Chapters XXVIII - XXIX 20:46 Read by Corpang
Chapters XXX - XXXII 22:55 Read by Corpang
Chapters XXXIII - XXXV 17:14 Read by Corpang
Chapters XXXVI - XXXVIII 15:04 Read by Corpang
Chapters XXXIX - XLIII 20:39 Read by Corpang

Reviews


(5 stars)

The best public domain translation---read in a way that makes the archaisms less ponderous. I have TAed a class on Norse/Icelandic/Viking myth, and I affirm this is a mostly accurate translation of one of the three most important texts of viking myth. The two eddas (older/poetic edda and younger/prose edda) are the other two important texts--both are on librivox.

great performance


(5 stars)

this is an excellent performance of morris's text. the text itself is fine and seems a fair translation of the source. the style of the English is much in keeping with some key characteristics of Old English poetry kand therefore I presume, Old Norse and Icelandic (namely the use consonance and assonance and kennings, especially in the poetic sections). highly recommended!


(3.5 stars)

Thw reader sustained a commendable consistency, and tried to add colour in the voices in more dramatic episodes. A 'straight' reading would have been just as good though, I think.

Beautifully done


(5 stars)

I really enjoyed the readers treatment of a beloved story. The characters come alive and run off the page in this reading.

excellent


(4 stars)

A very solid reading brings the saga to life. The saga itself is a bloodbath from start to finish.

Praises to the narrator, he really gave his best!


(4 stars)

dont get attached to anyone.......the best saga read well


(5 stars)

excellent


(5 stars)

Exciting and very well read! Thank you!