2026 Reading Challenge
Njal's Saga

Questions About Njal's Saga

by Anonymous

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Njal's Saga, please sign up.

Answered Questions (1)

Its a compilation of traditional folk tales, arranged by anonymous. Right?
Ian Slater Njal's Saga probably has roots in oral traditions about the Icelandic past (i.e., around 1000, as recollected in the 1200s). But not in folktales, if …moreNjal's Saga probably has roots in oral traditions about the Icelandic past (i.e., around 1000, as recollected in the 1200s). But not in folktales, if by "folktale" you mean the sort of thing collected by the Brothers Grimm, with anonymous or typically-named protagonists, and plots that could take place anywhere (or nowhere).

Literary influences, including at least some in Latin, also have been identified by scholars, although the author (whoever he was) may have encountered them in oral retellings by those with more book learning.

In any case, this saga (among others) has been increasingly recognized as a very sophisticated piece of storytelling, not a compilation of stories that share some scenes and characters.

(Nor, for that matter, are the sagas just accurate reporting of events, a notion once popular in Iceland and abroad, encouraged by their spare, "journalistic" style, apparent objectivity regarding characters, and great specificity regarding family trees and local landmarks.)

As for "anonymous," that is the standard condition for the Sagas of the Icelanders, as opposed to some of the Kings' Sagas (and perhaps some of the Bishops' sagas, which I have not so much as looked at).

The only exception to this rule may be Egil's Saga, which some distinguished scholars have attributed to Snorri Sturluson (1179–1241), who is more securely tied to the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, the latter a collection of sagas about the kings of Norway.(less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (2)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more