Customer Reviews

Master Maid: A Tale of Norway

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This Norwegian folk tale is about a giant troll who keeps a lovely maid as a prisoner. Leif, a headstrong young boy, goes to work for the troll against his father's wishes. His first day on the job, he is told not to go in the house, and he is threatened with death if he does. Of course, once the troll has left, he enters the house and talks to the maid. She tells him the magical way to solve his task of the day, for otherwise it is impossible.
At first he does not believe her and soon discovers that she was right. For several days, after the troll gives him his daily job and then leaves, Leif goes and visits the maid, who tells him the magical way to do the task. But, being Leif, he has to try to do it his way and fail before doing it as the maid suggested. On the last day, Leif is to be chopped up into pieces for a stew, but he and the maid saddle horses and run away. The troll follows, but the maid uses some spells to stop him and they eventually escape and are married. When the minister asks the maid if she will love, honor and obey Leif, he emphatically states that he should obey her.
Folk tales generally have a purpose and for this one, it is, "pay attention to those who know things." Leif is unwilling to take the advice of people who know better and it creates problems for him. Finally, at the end, he has learned his lesson and vows to obey the maid. The illustrations are excellent, so the combination of quality figures and a good story with a happy ending combine to make this an excellent book for children.

This was a fun story to read,with nice Illistrations to my grand daughter! She is Korean and on my side Norwegian! I wanted to read her tale from both cultures to honor her heritage! The book came on time and in good condition!