Poems of the Elder Edda

The Middle Ages Series

By: Patricia Terry

Narrated by: Shiromi Arserio, Wanda Moats, Matthew Posner, ThomaS Landbo

The great poetic tradition of pre-Christian Scandinavia is known to us almost exclusively though the Prose Edda, a collection of narrative literature, and its companion, the Poetic Edda. The poems originated in Iceland, Norway, and Greenland between the ninth and 13th centuries, when they were compiled in a unique manuscript known as the Codex Regius. The poems are primarily lyrical rather than narrative. Terry's fine translation includes the magnificent cosmological poem, "The Völuspá", didactic poems concerned with mythology and the everyday conduct of life, and heroic poems, of which an important group is concerned with the story of Sigurd and Brynhild.

Poems of the Elder Edda will appeal to students of Old Norse, Icelandic, and Medieval literature, as well as to general readers and listeners of poetry. This audio version presents each poem followed by the translator's notes.

©1990 University of Pennsylvania Press (P)2015 Mondello Publishing

Critic reviews

“Listeners unfamiliar with classic Old Norse poetry will gain an appreciation for the passion and the values--blind heroism, revenge, honor--that inhabit it. Although each narrator has a particular style, they all enunciate clearly, which is important with a text that has so many unfamiliar-sounding names of characters and places. In an interesting choice, Matthew Posner adopts a rich, clear Scottish accent. The poems draw on stories from the Old Norse religion and tales of heroism, with bits of the histories of Huns, Goths, and Burgundians. Those who are looking for an introduction to Viking literature should be pleased with this production.“ (D.M.H. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2015])

Great listen and we'll voiced by the Narrators

What an easy to digest translation of the Elder Edda. the Narrators did a great job and made the long stories easier to understand and enjoy.

amazing

good to help you understand the old ways of Norse mythology. amazing book imo

First 10 Chapters is smooth sailing

After that it takes some fore knowledge of the obscure characters because they are introduced without much of a back story. I had to stop and research the many names that were thrown out there that I didn’t recognize. Do yourself a favor and get very acquainted with who is who before listening or you’re in for a bumpy ride.
Most useful chapters are the ones in regard to the Havamal.
The narrators were ok but takes some getting used to. I’m not sure how the Scottish accent fits in.
Maybe I will revisit this after I know the characters better and see if it flows better for me.

Funny accent

The narrator using the Scottish accent sounds more Russian than Scottish sometimes, which I found amusing.

excellent best translation

I loved it! loved the diversity of narrators and also the explanations at the end of each chapter. highly recommend for anyone looking for historically accurate heathen or Asatru literature!!!!

Perhaps best heard

Possibly better heard than read with the eyes, as befits poetry originally oral.
The readers have pleasing voices.

Don't pop on your own Balls it

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brilliance

nothing short of exceptional. very beautiful also with the author's notes. hail hail hail hail

well done.

nothing left to say. this was well orchestrated. again, well done four three two one

Performance was great, stories even better

Face it The Elder Edda isn’t as popular, but this version is my favorite lately. The author’s notes after each story pushed the overall book for me.