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Elfwyn Saga David Wisniewski 9780688095895 Books

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Elfwyn Saga David Wisniewski 9780688095895 Books

We all loved this book. This was a suggested supplemental reading for our homeschool history curriculum (History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 1). I'm torn between the amazing and intricate cut-paper collages that depict the story and the story itself. My girls (7 & 9), enjoyed the story of the strong, gifted Elfwyn.

We bought a used copy and discovered that it was signed by the author! This is one book that we won't be re-selling, it has earned a spot on our shelves permanently.


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Elfwyn Saga David Wisniewski 9780688095895 Books Reviews

This little book is an original story which unfortunately misses the boat on some important areas. The heroine, Elfwyn, has a nice Anglo-Saxon name, which would be fine if she were not an Icelander. The overall thrust of the tale is an explanation of the aurora borealis, which actually may not have been visible during the viking Age in Iceland. It's a great little story, and I whole-heartedly endorse it as such, just not as a good reflection of early Viking iceland and its beliefs.
One fateful day, far to the north, two ships of the northmen are bound toward the greenest valley in the land. One contains Anlaf Haraldsson , his wife Gudrun, and his weary seamen. The other transports Gorm the Grim, a fierce and vengeful beserker and his crew of angry warriors. The hidden folk, those who live only in dreams aid the good Anlaf. But when they see Gorm mercilessly pursuing, they becalm his ship and hold him back. As Gorm frothed with rage that the hidden folk had aided Anlaf, he carved evil runes into a boulder overlooking the valley. The runes were meant to bring sorrow and blight to Anlaf and his kin. The child of Anlaf and Gudrun, Elfwyn, is born blind due to the corrupt influence of the runes. The hidden folk see her plight and bestow upon her a second sight. However, Gorm returns this time bringing a "Gift" of a giant crystal. As Anlaf and his tribe stare into it, they see visions of dreams unattainable and are filled with discontent. Under the power of the crystal the tribe grows foolish. Their only hope for salvation is young Elfwyn, protected from the crystal by her blindness. With time ticking down as Grom prepares to invade, Elfwyn must find a way to not only save herself, but all that she holds dear.
The illtrations are astounding, and this book will hold you firm
Gorm the Grim is outraged that the Hidden Folk have favored Analaf Haraldsson with the greenest valley in the North, so he carves hateful runes deep in a boulder overlooking the valley and lays a curse on Anlaf and all his line. Because of this curse, Elfwyn (a Celtic name meaning "beloved of elves"), the daughter of Anlaf and his wife, Gudrun, is born blind. But although she cannot see and the midwives believe it an ill omen to permit such a one to live, the lovely Elfwyn is blessed by the Hidden Folk with grace, knowledge, and the ability to "see" without sight. Until her tenth birthday Elfwyn lives a happy life, clearly beloved of the Hidden Folk ("huldufolk"). Then on Midsummer's Eve, Gorm the Grim comes uninvited to the great hall and presents Anlaf Haraldsson with a gift a hyge crystal, clear and perfect, shinning with a light of its own. The blind Elfwyn touches the crystal and declares "It is hard and cold, like the man who brought it." Her father is embarrassed by her curt remark, but Elfwyn is able to see what her father cannot that this crystal is but another type of curse that is sowing seeds of discontent within their clan.
David Wisniewski has drawn this Icelandic history and legend to tell this tale of the eternal battle between good and evil. There is also a lesson here about the importance of being attentive to duty, which was a life-and-death matter in the Iceland of the 10th century in the age of the Vikings. After all, distraction from your duty could bring about disaster. Young readers might not be able to appreciate the lessons being taught by this ancient tale, but they will certainly appreciate the wonderfully intricate cut paper illustrations by Wisniewski (photographed by Lee Salsbery). The clouds, waves, and leaves on the trees are all stunningly displayed. Usually it is to be hoped that young readers will be inspired by such artwork to try and do something similar, but what Wisniewski has done here might be too intimidating (the process is explained in the back of the book and involved over one thousand blades in an X-Acto knife).
Older readers will want to check out the Author's Note in the back of the book where Wisniewski talks about the culture behind "Elfwyn's Saga." He explains the origin of the "huldufolk" as the descendants of the unwashed children of Eve, Gorm's mesmerizing crystal being loosely based on the legendary "sunstone," and how Gorm's distinctive helmet is of Swedish origin. These facts might be of more interest to teachers than students, but learning that the Iceland of Viking time had an abundance of birch trees, even though the country today is virtually treeless. But overall while the story is pretty good, it is the illustrations that make this a standout book for young readers.
My 7-year old nephew chose this book to bring home from his school library. He would not stop talking about the terrific illustrations and how hard the author worked to create them. He began to read the book himself, but some of the concepts and language was beyond him and he asked me to read the story to him, which I did.

It's a terrific story that shows how evil and superstition can be overcome by perseverance and faith. The titular character Elfwyn is a child who was born blind, because of a curse on her people. However, with the aid of the good spirits, she is able to live a happy and protected life. The very condition that initially causes the elder midwives of her people to suggest she be euthanized at birth, shields her from an evil effort by those who seek to destroy her people -- they send something that mesmerizes and enslaves Elfwyn's family and tribe, but Elfwyn cannot be snared since she cannot see … but she proves that what she can see is more important as she destroys the evil object (a giant crystal that shows the viewers their heart's desire), outrunning its attack, in a move that causes the attacker to destroy itself, and saves her people while vanquishing the enemy forever.

I suspect my nephew will want this book to keep, so now I'll have to find a copy out there for his own library. It's a keeper.
Interesting story and beautiful and intricate cut paper illustrations.
We all loved this book. This was a suggested supplemental reading for our homeschool history curriculum (History Odyssey Middle Ages Level 1). I'm torn between the amazing and intricate cut-paper collages that depict the story and the story itself. My girls (7 & 9), enjoyed the story of the strong, gifted Elfwyn.

We bought a used copy and discovered that it was signed by the author! This is one book that we won't be re-selling, it has earned a spot on our shelves permanently.