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Hakon of Rogen's Saga

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"Hakon of Rogen's Saga" starts with a monologue of Hakon the main character. This book is about his growth and development as a fully grown viking. At first he was just a little boy and through many harsh experience - like death of his father and lost his birthright by his own uncle - learn something about life and about things he must do. Eric Haugaard's solemn and serene style brought the nature of northen europe in that age into relief. And the main theme of this story, thought about the dignity of man, is expressed fully with a historical background - the fall of the vikings and newly-risen Christianty. I believe children can find some important value with this one just as I did.

Haakon of Rogen's Saga is a mesmerizing book of unusual literary beauty for grade 5 and up. Viking culture is made human in this story of a young boy caught in a web of jealousy and deceit. He learns about true courage and loyalty as well as the power of compassion. Vikings are most often presented as wooden, valueless monsters who fascinate for their unadulterated evil. This book will help readers to consider other posibilities. I have used this book as a lead-in to studies of William the Conqueror and the Middle Ages. It is wonderful.

(Haugaard also wrote another novel about the last Viking colonists stranded on Greenland.)

A great story of the Vikings. No, not those Vikings. The Norse raiders and pirates who were a menace to Europe from eighth to the eleventh centuries. The Vikings were a fatalistic people who believed in personal honor in battle. They're like the Klingons of Star Trek. It's the story of a boy who becomes embroiled in a family feud. No, not the one with Richard Dawson. Hakon's father kidnaps a woman named Thora Magnusdaughter. Her father, enraged, leads an invasion to take her home. Hakon and his friend, Helga, the daughter of his former wet nurse, Gunhild, are caught in the middle of it. Gunhild, like the rest of his father's servants, including Rark, are slaves. When his father's killed, Hakon becomes the new king of Rogen. Rark rallies the army of his father to defeat the invaders. Hakon's uncle is partly to blame for the treachery. He wanted the throne of Rogen for himself. Haugaard's Viking verse comes close to approximating the real thing. Read this book for the rest of the story. The Vikings gave Russia its name, they ruled England, and they were the imperial bodyguard of the Byzantine emperors. This would be an excellent introduction to Byzantine and English history. Most people think the Viking era ended with the Battle of Hastings. It didn't. It ended with the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Harold II defeated Harold Hardrata and his own brother, Tostig. Then he was defeated by William the Conqueror. The English Danelaw and Normandy were both founded by the Vikings.

No, not those Vikings. The ones who raided the coasts of Europe from England and Scotland to the Mediterranean, and even served as the bodyguards of the Byzantine emperors. In Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, Turkey, there's a piece of graffiti that says "Halfdan was here." The Vikings founded colonies in Greenland, Iceland, and probably Newfoundland. Their reign of terror lasted over three hundred years. The Vikings ruled England off and on. I first read this book back in the '70s. A must read for those who love history. I recommend it to all college students. Don't dismiss this classic historical novel as a "kid's book." (Haugaard also wrote a book set in Roman-occupied Palestine called The Rider and His Horse.) I recommend this as well. If you can find it here. If not, then go to a used bookstore.

Hakon of Rogen's saga is a wonderful example of fine literature for kids my age (I'm 13)! I loves the book. In fact , all of Erik Christian Haugaard's novel are wonderful and I want to read them all. Reading the book was like being there, right at that moment. I highly suggest this book!

Hakon of Rogen's Saga is a classic children's book that has stood the test of time. I have seen it recommended on reading lists for children by those who place an emphasis on quality or "living" books that aren't "twaddle." In other words, quality literature. As the author himself states in the preface, "It was not written for `youth,' in the sense that I have blunted my pen before I started. I abhor those writers who have not the skill to keep the attention of adults, and therefore think themselves equipped to write for children. I have done my best, and I leave you to be my critic." And, I am one very satisfied critic.

The book is set in the Viking period on the island of Rogen. The main character, a boy named Hakon is the son of the chieftan, whose mother died in childbirth. When Hakon is about 10 or 12, his father kidnaps as his bride the daughter of a powerful chieftan. When his stepmother's family retaliates the following year, Hakon is left an orphan and goes through many trials in seeking his manhood and his birthright, Rogen.

I found this book to be enjoyable reading for me as an adult, and I have no doubt that my 8-year-old son will enjoy it as well. He reads on a 6th grade level, and while he may not be able to understand every single individual word, he can understand and appreciate the story. I also think this would be an appropriate read-aloud for lower elementary years, but in general it would be best suite to upper elementary school or middle school years.

Some themes to be aware of. There are several battle scenes, and Hakon is hit by his uncle several times. There are no particularly graphic depictions, they aren't very frequent, and are very appropriate to the time period. I would not have any trouble reading these to my 8 yo and 6 yo. One of the more graphic descriptions follows as an example: "Then swiftly, before anyone could stop him, he thrust his sword through Bjorn. `Brave man," Bjorn muttered; then sighing, he spoke his last words, `Now I shall sleep.' Blood flowed from his mouth, and his body twisted and fell with a dull thud from his bench to the floor." Personally, I don't find that really anymore gruesome than telling children Hansel & Gretel where the witch pushes the children into the oven. In addition, there are some passing references to the Viking's religious beliefs, nothing extensive enough to bother me as a conservative Christian parent, though I would discuss it as reading aloud or before giving it to an independent reader.

A good feel was given for the time period, the practical aspects of everyday life, the culture, the harshness. Besides being informative, the story was entertaining and made the reader want to follow along with Hakon. I would definitely recommend this as a children's book on the Viking period, especially for homeschooling families.

I read this book about 20 years ago, and I loved it. It is equally fun for both boys and girls. My brothers and I (we were in middle school back then) agree that its sequel 'A slave's tale' is even better.

"Hakon of Rogen's Saga" starts with a monologue of Hakon the main character. This book is about his growth and development as a fully grown viking. At first he was just a little boy and through many harsh experience - like death of his father and lost his birthright by his own uncle - learn something about life and about things he must do. Eric Haugaard's solemn and serene style brought the nature of northen europe in that age into relief. And the main theme of this story, thought about the dignity of man, is expressed fully with a historical background - the fall of the vikings and newly-risen Christianty. I believe children can find some important value with this one just as I did.