The Saga of Gudrid the Far-Traveler

The daughter of a Viking chieftain, Gudrid has been betrothed since birth to the son of Eirik the Red, but she much prefers handsome Einar, so an arranged “kidnapping” makes her his bride. Then a shipwreck and a hard winter leave her a widow, and she is forced to consider Leif, the man to whom she was originally promised. Quick maneuvering secures her marriage to Leif’s younger, kinder brother, Stein, instead, but Gudrid’s run of bad luck is not over, and Stein doesn’t survive a disastrous voyage attempting to explore the rich land to the west. An old woman prophesies that Gudrid will marry a third time, but will she ever make it to the place Leif Eiriksson calls Wine Land, full of walnuts and grapes, trees taller than the mast of a ship, and grass that never withers? Brown’s tale is based on a woman mentioned in two medieval sagas about the Viking discovery of Vinland (probably New Brunswick, Canada), as well as on modern-day archaeological discoveries. The wealth of detail about early Icelandic seafaring culture -- including gender roles and the division of labor, house construction, food preservation, clothing styles and adornment, treasure, the church, and inheritance laws -- could carry the story on its own. It’s Gudrid’s strong will, hard work, and passion for exploration, however, that will resonate authentically with adventure-seeking young readers. anita l. burkam

Gudrid has been betrothed since birth to Leif Eiriksson, but she marries handsome Einar instead. She's subsequently widowed, remarries, and is widowed again. Gudrid is prophesied to marry a third time, but will she ever make it to the place Leif calls Wine Land? This historical novel based on medieval sagas offers a wealth of detail about Viking seafaring culture and a strong-willed, adventurous protagonist.