Book Review
Jul. 22nd, 2011 08:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Thrall's Tale
by Judith Lindbergh
This historical novel traces the story of Katla, a thrall who is part of the first Greenland settlement. Shortly after the arrival in Greenland, Katla is raped and brutally beaten by her master's son, Torvard. As a result, she is transferred to the household of Thorbjorg, seer and shamaness, who heals her. Katla also gives birth to a daughter, Bibrau. As Katla cannot love or bond with her child, Thorbjorg takes Bibrau under her wing and trains her in the shamanic rituals and magic, but, despite her best efforts, Bibrau becomes twisted and hate-filled. The story focuses on these three women and the way their lives intertwine as Norse culture and society begins to change with the arrival of Christian priests in Greenland.
There were several things that I really liked about this novel. Lindbergh clearly did a lot of research and took pains with her depiction of the Norse and their life in Greenland. I could just about feel the chill air and smell the woodsmoke, wool, and plant life. All the characters were vivid and complex.
On the other hand, some aspects of the book really fell flat for me. The events and plot often seemed to lack a real arc, and I never felt like its dramatic and dynamic aspects really bloomed. Also, I found it very frustrating that the unspoken mysteries of her origin and her mother's disregard were a source of real and deep disturbance for Bibrau, yet she never confronts or even asks either Katla or Thorbjorg about it.
by Judith Lindbergh
This historical novel traces the story of Katla, a thrall who is part of the first Greenland settlement. Shortly after the arrival in Greenland, Katla is raped and brutally beaten by her master's son, Torvard. As a result, she is transferred to the household of Thorbjorg, seer and shamaness, who heals her. Katla also gives birth to a daughter, Bibrau. As Katla cannot love or bond with her child, Thorbjorg takes Bibrau under her wing and trains her in the shamanic rituals and magic, but, despite her best efforts, Bibrau becomes twisted and hate-filled. The story focuses on these three women and the way their lives intertwine as Norse culture and society begins to change with the arrival of Christian priests in Greenland.
There were several things that I really liked about this novel. Lindbergh clearly did a lot of research and took pains with her depiction of the Norse and their life in Greenland. I could just about feel the chill air and smell the woodsmoke, wool, and plant life. All the characters were vivid and complex.
On the other hand, some aspects of the book really fell flat for me. The events and plot often seemed to lack a real arc, and I never felt like its dramatic and dynamic aspects really bloomed. Also, I found it very frustrating that the unspoken mysteries of her origin and her mother's disregard were a source of real and deep disturbance for Bibrau, yet she never confronts or even asks either Katla or Thorbjorg about it.
