The Saga of Eric the Viking (Puffin Books) [Paperback]

Terry Jones (Author), Michael Foreman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Puffin Books | Publication Date: June 1, 1993

This is the tale of a Viking warrior by the name of Erik. But Erik is no ordinary Viking. With his trusty band of men he sets sail in search of the land where the sun goes at night - but he finds much more! The Sea Dragon, Dogfighters and giants combine to make his voyage a great saga of thrilling adventures. Written by Terry Jones, most famous for his membership of the Monty Python team, this is a wonderful tale, expertly spun, which won the Children's Book Award.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-In this faux Viking saga, Jones's sense of narrative invention is much sharper than his way with the English language. While the author is, to be sure, deliberately attempting to create an approximation of the "bardic" voice, the effect is too often either stilted or static-and therefore somewhat irritating. (For this reason, the book's episodic nature actually works in its favor because readers need not feel driven to read more than one chapter, or adventure, at a time.) Briefly told, the "saga" narrates the adventures of the Viking warrior Erik and his men as they sail in search of the land "where the sun goes at night." Along the way, they meet the dangerous Old Man of the Sea; the terrifying Dogfighters; and enormous creatures whose heads are mounted in the centers of their chests. Erik and his men learn lessons along the way, test their courage and determination, and eventually, of course, "succeed." Fans of fantasy and science fiction may get caught up in the "mythic" elements and speedy action of the tales without minding their often clumsy style. But they would be much better served by the far more noteworthy books by Susan Cooper, Joy Chant, and John Christopher, to say nothing of J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and maybe even the Norse sagas themselves. Far and away the most notable feature of this book is Foreman's watercolor artwork.
Coop Renner, Coldwell Elementary-Intermediate School, El Paso, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Kirkus Reviews

Erik and his crew go in search of ``the land where the sun goes at night.'' Along the way they encounter the Old Man of the Sea, whom they outwit three times, a dragon, a magic sword, enchanters, assorted monsters and mythical beasts, and even Death. They are tested in various ways, go over the edge of the world and beneath the bottom of the sea, and fight inner demons as well as outer, until they find the land they seek and discover it is not for them. By turns adventurous, humorous, and philosophical, this is a sort of melancholic Odyssey where they seek to ``sail beyond the sunset,'' but unlike Odysseus, they are sure at every step that they are doomed. Despite their pessimism, they manage great and heroic deeds, which are dazzlingly illustrated by Foreman. Most of the chapters are complete in themselves and can be read as a series of related short stories. An enjoyable volume. (Fiction. 8-12) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (June 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140322612
• ISBN-13: 978-0140322613
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #189,263 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertainment at it's NORDIC BEST!, April 18, 2003

By 

GixxxerKim (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SAGA OF ERIK THE VIKING (Hardcover)

The boys from Monte Python have done it! After reading this book, I was thoroughly satisfied. I don't know what I expected to find within, but the impulse buy was worth it. The illustrations are lovely, and the stories are filled with meaning that you will carry with you always. The tales weave into each another to make on big journey. Each ends up with a moral, therefore making it important for children AND adults to read (since we seem to thinkg growing up means to forget childhood "lessons"). Learn them again with this pleasing book, it will keep you fingering through the pages until there are no more.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to lesser known mythologies, March 16, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Montana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Saga of Eric the Viking (Puffin Books) (Paperback)

This is a good set of stories about Erik's voyages and adventures. Oral traditions of these stories are blatenly obvious, but help younger readers follow the stories. These stories will make great bedtime stories or beginning reader stories. The lessons are timeless and will surely get any child interested in reading more about mythology or the Vikings.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is one very good book., October 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Saga of Eric the Viking (Puffin Books) (Paperback)

Written by ex-Monty Python member Terry Jones, it tells the tale of a Viking named Erik, who, with his men, goes on a quest to find the land where the sun goes at night. It is involving, exciting, well written, and great reading for all ages. I highly recommend it.