Book
Eric Brighteyes
First published 1891
Eric Thorgrimursson and Gudruda the Fair are bound by love, but family opposition, rival desire and the sorcerous schemes of Swanhild draw them into feud and exile. Eric’s strength wins fame in combat, yet each attempt to master his fate deepens the tragedy surrounding the households of his Icelandic district.
Haggard shapes the novel in deliberate imitation of an Icelandic family saga. Law assemblies, blood-feud, oath-taking, sea travel and the hard economics of farm life place its romance within the social world of tenth-century Iceland, while prophecy and supernatural suggestion preserve the sagas’ fatalistic atmosphere.
Historical Periods
More from this period
5 more top-rated novels about Saga Age Iceland
Ranked by rating and voting volume; books already shown on this page are omitted.
More by the author
Other books by H. Rider Haggard
Discover more
Authors similar to H. Rider Haggard
Recommended from shared genres and periods.
Georg Ebers
16 books
Henry Treece
35 books
Gillian Bradshaw
20 books
Colin Falconer
22 books
David Field
46 books