Elfwyn's Saga [Hardcover]

David Wisniewski (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 1990 | Age Level: 4 and up

Although born blind because of a curse cast on her family by an evil enemy, Elfwyn finds a way to erase the curse with the help of the Hidden Folk.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his latest story, Wisniewski ( The Warrior and the Wise Man ) dives into the history and myths of Iceland and emerges with an original saga, inspired by Viking lore, that explains the origins of the northern lights. Elfwyn, daughter of a Viking settler, is born blind due to a curse placed on her family by Gorm, a rival. Later, because she cannot see, Elfwyn is not drawn under the terrible thrall of Gorm's crystal, a spiteful gift whose visions fill Elfwyn's kinsmen with discontent. She alone is able to shatter it--sending its dust into the heavens, where it becomes the aurora borealis. Wisniewski's prose resonates with the majesty of legend, and his handsome, dramatic cut-paper illustrations add dimension to a splendid tale. Ages 6-9.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

A mesmerizing picture book for older readers, this story unfolds in a perfect blend of text and illustration. The Hidden Folk of frost and fire guide a Viking ship of settlers to a safe harbor, but deter a warrior ship from landing there. In anger, the warrior leader, Gorm the Grim, pronounces a curse on the peaceful Anlaf and his kin, causing Anlaf's daughter to be born blind. The child Elfwyn grows happily under the protection of the Hidden Folk, learning to use her other senses to make up for her blindness. In Trojan Horse fashion, Gorm presents Anlaf with a gift, a huge crystal in which all see a reflection of themselves in some unattainable position--younger, prettier, wealthier. The crystal causes discontent in all except Elfwyn, whose blindness makes her immune to its evil. When the others neglect their duties to continue gazing into the crystal, Elfwyn uses her pony to topple it. The splinters pursue her until she is rescued by the Hidden Folk, regaining her sight when the splinters crash into a boulder, thus ending the curse. This powerful story is based on elements of legend and history of the settlement of Iceland that are discussed in an extensive author's note at the end. Wisniewski's distinctive cut-paper illustrations are exquisitely rendered in rich and glowing colors. His portrayal of the people is especially compelling, with details of facial expression reflecting character and plot development. A truly original offering that will give back to today's children some of the mythic element that Joseph Campbell said we are missing. --Connie C. Rockman, The Ferguson Lib . , Stamford, CT
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (September 19, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688095895
• ISBN-13: 978-0688095895
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,376,979 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The story of how Elfwyn the Second-Sighted saved her clan, April 19, 2004

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Elfwyn's Saga (Hardcover)

Gorm the Grim is outraged that the Hidden Folk have favored Analaf Haraldsson with the greenest valley in the North, so he carves hateful runes deep in a boulder overlooking the valley and lays a curse on Anlaf and all his line. Because of this curse, Elfwyn (a Celtic name meaning "beloved of elves"), the daughter of Anlaf and his wife, Gudrun, is born blind. But although she cannot see and the midwives believe it an ill omen to permit such a one to live, the lovely Elfwyn is blessed by the Hidden Folk with grace, knowledge, and the ability to "see" without sight. Until her tenth birthday Elfwyn lives a happy life, clearly beloved of the Hidden Folk ("huldufolk"). Then on Midsummer's Eve, Gorm the Grim comes uninvited to the great hall and presents Anlaf Haraldsson with a gift: a hyge crystal, clear and perfect, shinning with a light of its own. The blind Elfwyn touches the crystal and declares: "It is hard and cold, like the man who brought it." Her father is embarrassed by her curt remark, but Elfwyn is able to see what her father cannot: that this crystal is but another type of curse that is sowing seeds of discontent within their clan.

David Wisniewski has drawn this Icelandic history and legend to tell this tale of the eternal battle between good and evil. There is also a lesson here about the importance of being attentive to duty, which was a life-and-death matter in the Iceland of the 10th century in the age of the Vikings. After all, distraction from your duty could bring about disaster. Young readers might not be able to appreciate the lessons being taught by this ancient tale, but they will certainly appreciate the wonderfully intricate cut paper illustrations by Wisniewski (photographed by Lee Salsbery). The clouds, waves, and leaves on the trees are all stunningly displayed. Usually it is to be hoped that young readers will be inspired by such artwork to try and do something similar, but what Wisniewski has done here might be too intimidating (the process is explained in the back of the book and involved over one thousand blades in an X-Acto knife).

Older readers will want to check out the Author's Note in the back of the book where Wisniewski talks about the culture behind "Elfwyn's Saga." He explains the origin of the "huldufolk" as the descendants of the unwashed children of Eve, Gorm's mesmerizing crystal being loosely based on the legendary "sunstone," and how Gorm's distinctive helmet is of Swedish origin. These facts might be of more interest to teachers than students, but learning that the Iceland of Viking time had an abundance of birch trees, even though the country today is virtually treeless. But overall while the story is pretty good, it is the illustrations that make this a standout book for young readers.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elfwyn's Saga, October 13, 2000

By 

Nat (MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfwyn's Saga (Hardcover)

One fateful day, far to the north, two ships of the northmen are bound toward the greenest valley in the land. One contains Anlaf Haraldsson , his wife Gudrun, and his weary seamen. The other transports Gorm the Grim, a fierce and vengeful beserker and his crew of angry warriors. The hidden folk, those who live only in dreams aid the good Anlaf. But when they see Gorm mercilessly pursuing, they becalm his ship and hold him back. As Gorm frothed with rage that the hidden folk had aided Anlaf, he carved evil runes into a boulder overlooking the valley. The runes were meant to bring sorrow and blight to Anlaf and his kin. The child of Anlaf and Gudrun, Elfwyn, is born blind due to the corrupt influence of the runes. The hidden folk see her plight and bestow upon her a second sight. However, Gorm returns this time bringing a "Gift" of a giant crystal. As Anlaf and his tribe stare into it, they see visions of dreams unattainable and are filled with discontent. Under the power of the crystal the tribe grows foolish. Their only hope for salvation is young Elfwyn, protected from the crystal by her blindness. With time ticking down as Grom prepares to invade, Elfwyn must find a way to not only save herself, but all that she holds dear.

The illtrations are astounding, and this book will hold you firm

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars So close and yet so far..., December 19, 2005

By 

Gunnvor (McDade, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Elfwyn's Saga (Hardcover)

This little book is an original story which unfortunately misses the boat on some important areas. The heroine, Elfwyn, has a nice Anglo-Saxon name, which would be fine if she were not an Icelander. The overall thrust of the tale is an explanation of the aurora borealis, which actually may not have been visible during the viking Age in Iceland. It's a great little story, and I whole-heartedly endorse it as such, just not as a good reflection of early Viking iceland and its beliefs.