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The Story of Rolf and the Viking Bow
244 pp, Sewn Softcover, Ages 10-up, RL5
Item # 01-0 — $14.95
or order by phone: 1-800-757-6831
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Rolf, son of Hiarandi the Unlucky, is a character who exemplifies the effect of Christ's teachings upon the Icelandic people during their heroic age. The book is set in Iceland in the days when Christianity has come to the island though the old customs still linger. Hiarandi, at the urging of his wife, does an unprecedented thing. He lights a signal  fire on a dangerous point of his land, thereby challenging the accepted custom which places lucrative salvage at higher value than the saving of life. However, the life that is saved that night, in the end, causes his own death and the unjust outlawing of his son Rolf. Rolf's response to this injustice creates a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale difficult to put down.
Read an excerpt from this book in our Reading Room.
HISTORICAL FICTION
SUBJECTS:
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Iceland
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Vikings
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Middle Ages
Reviews
"This heroic saga of medieval Iceland ranks with the tales of Sigmund, Beowulf, and more recent masterpieces such as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Written at the turn of the century, it is the story of Rolf and Grani, two men whose fates are intertwined from youth. Through war, death, exile and betrayal the author shows the greatness and weakness of Man, culminating in the stunning moral victory that climaxes the tale."
-- Michael O'Brien
""This heroic saga of medieval Iceland ranks with the tales of Sigmund, Beowulf, and more recent masterpieces such as Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Written at the turn of the century, it is the story of Rolf and Grani, two men whose fates are intertwined from youth. Through war, death, exile and betrayal the author shows the greatness and weakness of Man, culminating in the stunning moral victory that climaxes the tale."
-- Michael O'Brien, author of Father Elijah
"[The Story of Rolf] is a fine and dramatic story, well and vigorously told, with excellent use of action and suspense. Aside from the inherent worth of the story itself, it has a peculiar value in that it provides as good an introduction as could be desired to the heroic literature of epic and saga."
-- Elizabeth Nesbitt in A Critical History of Children's Literature
"By the way, our family just finished reading aloud Rolf and the Viking Bow. THANK YOU for printing this great book!"
-- J.T. Wisconsin
"This was a great story! There is grand adventure, battles, intrigue and an underlying theme, as typical in the old tales, of honor, nobility, courage and faithfulness. The closing even drew together points from the story to make a strong point concerning endurance without complaint and the value of humility and being willing to ask forgiveness. French, according to the introduction, was steeped in the ancient sagas and lore, and this shows in the style and quality of his writing. "
-- Dr. Ray Van Neste
Jackson, TN
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