Ghosts, Trolls and the Hidden People

The line between the natural and supernatural is blurred in Iceland, where, for over a millennium, farmers and fishermen have eked out an existence and told stories about wizards, hidden folk, ghosts, murderers and trolls. Dagrún’s selection of these Icelandic folk legends immerses the reader in a perilous landscape and provides glimpses into the dangers of the unpredictable behaviors of supernatural beings, while capturing the evolving role storytelling plays in understanding the world around us and the ways in which legend creates meaning for its tellers and audiences alike. Ghosts, Trolls and the Hidden People is a masterful and much needed addition to our growing scholarship on Icelandic and Nordic folklore and will delight readers of all ages and backgrounds. Oh, and be very careful when driving past Skriðinsenni . . . * Timothy R. Tangherlini, Professor in the Department of Scandinavian, UC Berkeley, and editor and translator of Danish Folktales, Legends and Other Stories * Dagrún Ósk Jónsdóttir has selected here nineteenth-century Icelandic legends that offer insights into past beliefs, social attitudes and daily life. They reveal views on gender, class and traditions in rural households. Her commentary provides a deeper understanding, offering a historical perspective from the common folk’s viewpoint. * Rósa Þorsteinsdóttir, Associate Research Professor in Folkloristics, Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies * In Icelandic culture from the eighteenth, nineteenth and well into the twentieth century, ghosts, trolls and the hidden people were an integral part of everyday life. Stories of these beings were shared during the long nights at the so-called winter-evening gatherings (kvöldvaka), and these creatures felt just as real to Icelanders as the people sitting beside them. In this remarkable book, readers are invited into that world through the stories told during those times, brought to life and expertly analysed by one of Iceland’s most promising young folklorists, Dagrún Ósk Jónsdóttir. With her insightful commentary, she offers a deeper understanding of these tales and their significance. This is a book no one with an interest in the world of northern European folklore should miss. * Sigurður Gylfi Magnússon, Professor of Cultural History, University of Iceland * Richly illustrated and accompanied by carefully researched contextual material, this book opens a gateway into the wonderful world of Icelandic folk belief of the past, providing access to a number of narratives that have previously only been accessible to those who speak Icelandic. Dagrún Ósk Jónsdóttir invites readers to enter a shadowy world of Nordic darkness, mystery and enchantment; unforgettable surroundings populated by powerful nature spirits, lovelorn ghosts, vengeful outlaws and marauding monsters. * Terry Gunnell, Professor Emeritus in Folkloristics, University of Iceland *