The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga); with Excerpts from the Poetic Edda

The Story of the Volsungs (Volsunga Saga); with Excerpts from the Poetic Edda

By Anonymous
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length5h 55m

About this audiobook

The 'Story of the Volsungs' (Volsunga Saga), an essential work of Old Norse literature, intricately weaves together myth, legend, and historical narrative. Composed in the 13th century, this epic chronicles the heroic saga of the Volsung clan, encapsulating themes of fate, revenge, and the complexities of human emotion. Rich in poetic imagery and employing a distinctive prose style interspersed with verse, the saga invites readers into a world where gods, heroes, and monsters coexist, providing an invaluable glimpse into the cultural and social fabrics of medieval Scandinavia. The incorporation of excerpts from the Poetic Edda further enhances its depth, linking the saga to a broader tradition of Norse mythology. Although attributed to an anonymous author, the saga is believed to reflect the collective oral tradition of the Norse peoples, deeply influenced by the anxieties of power, mortality, and the supernatural. The author's engagement with heroic ideals and existential concerns speaks to the prevalent ethos during a transformative period in Icelandic history when literature began to flourish as a means of identity and resilience. Readers seeking a profound understanding of Norse mythology and its literary heritage will find 'The Story of the Volsungs' not only an enthralling tale but also a significant cultural artifact. This saga is a must-read for enthusiasts of epic literature and those interested in the interplay between fate and heroism in human storytelling.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 4.1 (2.4K)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, Amazon, StoryGraph
GenreGeneral Fiction, Fairy Tales and Folklore
Length5 hrs 55 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 15, 2022
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1INTRODUCTION
2TRANSLATORS' PREFACE.
3CHAPTER I. Of Sigi, the Son of Odin.
4CHAPTER II. Of the Birth of Volsung, the Son of Rerir, who was the Son of Sigi.
5CHAPTER III. Of the Sword that Sigmund, Volsung's son, drew from the Branstock.
Show all chapters
6CHAPTER IV. How King Siggeir wedded Signy, and bade King Volsung and his son to Gothland.
7CHAPTER V. Of the Slaying of King Volsung.
8CHAPTER VI. Of how Signy sent the Children of her and Siggeir to Sigmund.
9CHAPTER VII. Of the Birth of Sinfjotli the Son of Sigmund.
10CHAPTER VIII. The Death of King Siggeir and of Signy.
11CHAPTER IX. How Helgi, the son of Sigmund, won King Hodbrod and his Realm, and wedded Sigrun.
12CHAPTER X. The ending of Sinfjotli, Sigmund's Son.
13CHAPTER XI. Of King Sigmund's last Battle, and of how he must yield up his Sword again.
14CHAPTER XII. Of the Shards of the Sword Gram, and how Hjordis went to King Alf.
15CHAPTER XIII. Of the Birth and Waxing of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane.
16CHAPTER XIV. Regin's tale of his Brothers, and of the Gold called Andvari's Hoard.
17So Regin makes a sword, and gives it into Sigurd's hands. He took the sword, and said—
18CHAPTER XVI. The prophecy of Grifir.
19Now Sigurd went to the kings, and spake thus—
20CHAPTER XVIII. Of the Slaying of the Worm Fafnir.
21CHAPTER XIX. Of the Slaying of Regin, Son of Hreidmar.
22CHAPTER XX. Of Sigurd's Meeting with Brynhild on the Mountain.
23Sigurd spake now, "Sure no wiser woman than thou art one may be found in the wide world; yea, yea, teach me more yet of thy wisdom!"
24CHAPTER XXII. Of the Semblance and Array of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane. (1)
25CHAPTER XXIII. Sigurd comes to Hlymdale.
26CHAPTER XXIV. Sigurd sees Brynhild at Hlymdale.
27CHAPTER XXV. Of the Dream of Gudrun, Giuki's daughter.
28CHAPTER XXVI. Sigurd comes to the Giukings and is wedded to Gudrun.
29CHAPTER XXVII. The Wooing of Brynhild.
30CHAPTER XXVIII. How the Queens held angry converse together at the Bathing.
31CHAPTER XXIX. Of Brynhild's great Grief and Mourning.
32CHAPTER XXX. Of the Slaying of Sigurd Fafnir's-bane.
33CHAPTER XXXI. Of the Lamentation of Gudrun over Sigurd dead, as it is told told in ancient Songs. (1)
34And now none might know for what cause Brynhild must bewail with weeping for what she had prayed for with laughter: but she spake—
35CHAPTER XXXIII. Gudrun wedded to Atli.
36Now tells the tale that on a night King Atli woke from sleep and spake to Gudrun—
37CHAPTER XXXV. The Dreams of the Wives of the Giukings.
38CHAPTER XXXVI. Of the Journey of the Giukings to King Atli.
39CHAPTER XXXVII. The Battle in the Burg of King Atli.
40CHAPTER XXXVIII. Of the slaying of the Giukings.
41CHAPTER XXXIX. The End of Atli and his Kin and Folk.
42CHAPTER XL. How Gudrun cast herself into the Sea, but was brought ashore again.
43CHAPTER XLI. Of the Wedding and Slaying of Swanhild.
44CHAPTER XLII. Gudrun sends her Sons to avenge Swanhild.
45CHAPTER XLIII. The Latter End of all the Kin of the Giukings.
46APPENDIX: EXCERPTS FROM THE POETIC EDDA.
47PART OF THE SECOND LAY OF HELGI HUNDINGS-BANE (1)
48PART OF THE LAY OF SIGRDRIFA (1)
49THE LAY CALLED THE SHORT LAY OF SIGURD.
50THE HELL-RIDE OF BRYNHILD.
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