The Broken Sword

By: Poul Anderson

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

Thor has broken the sword Tyrfing so that it cannot strike at the roots of Yggdrasil, the tree that binds together earth, heaven, and hell. But now the mighty sword is needed again to save the elves in their war against the trolls, and only Skafloc, a human child kidnapped and raised by the elves, can hope to persuade Bölverk the ice-giant to make Tyrfing whole again. But Skafloc must also confront his shadow self, Valgard the changeling, who has taken his place in the world of men.

©1954 Poul Anderson (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Its good but I don't understand the white Christ

Its good but I don't understand the white Christ. Jesus was born in Israel which most people born there are more dark skin then white lol

Very good, just shy of great

thrilling and beautifully written, but there's a slightly rushed quality to the ending. Recommended for fantasy and mythology fans.

A spirited homage to old myths

In The Broken Sword, Poul Anderson mines the same Nordic/British myths and folklore that Tolkien did, and tells a rousing, tragic adventure. An infant is born to a Viking warrior and his Christianized family, but a proud and haughty elf lord takes the child and leaves a changeling in his place. Thus, Skafloc grows up among the elves and learns their ways, while the half-troll-half-elf Valgard is raised as human, but becomes a savage, unruly warrior.

The plot isn’t too complex: the two warriors, who have a close physical resemblance, take opposite sides in a troll-elf war, and battle each other using magic, trickery, and might. However, a tragic twist comes into play, thanks to Skafloc’s ignorance of his origins and some intervention by Norse gods.

This isn't up with The Lord of the Rings in terms of depth of world-building, but it’s got a fiercer, darker spirit. Look for homage to all the traditional elements of Northern European myth: old gods who do not allow mortals to renege on a promise; aloof, immortal, fleet-footed elves, who dwell in ethereal castles and “know friendship but not love”; seductive maidens who aren’t what they appear; and big, ferocious trolls (who call to mind the roided-out orcs in Peter Jackson’s LOTR films). Though the description never gets too explicit (this novel was written in the 1950s), there’s plenty of larger-than-life action, treachery, black magic, ale-quaffing, bawdiness, and skull splitting. The Hobbit, this isn’t.

Fans of epic warrior sagas or the kind of blood-soaked faerie tales that are no longer considered suitable fare for children will eat this one up. Anderson's writing is faithful to the lusty descriptions of old epics like Beowulf, but not as dusty-sounding. You can practically hear the war horns blowing and the swords ringing. Audiobook narrator Bronson Pinchot might overact a bit here and there, but that's in keeping with the tale’s energy.

A novel with the power of a myth.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This is a great blending of gritty historical dark ages with elves and trolls, gods and giants. These aren't the elves from Tolkein, they are amoral, child-stealing immortals. And these are the

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Broken Sword?

Imric, the Elf-earl, learning of the unbaptised child, racing home to make the Changeling.

What about Bronson Pinchot’s performance did you like?

Strong narration. Excellent tone to match the mythical tragic themes of the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

In the last days of Faerie and the Old Gods, what is the price of True Love.

Great old-school fantasy

A very well-written dark fantasy of the kind that isn’t written much anymore, pastiching the Norse sagas and Celtic heroic stories. The reader is great, with a stellar range. My only warning would be to readers who haven’t read much older fantasy, as there is some archaic language that could trip up an inexperienced reader.

This is a truly disturbing story

thr lore is familiar, the names of deities are known, the overall story has been told many times: boy finds girl, boy loses girl/groom makes boy leave, they find each other, again ... but the devil is in the details. writing style is old school ... worth the listen but ... you may need some therapy, thereafter...

Good story. Spectacular narration

Had no idea Bronson Pinchot narrated this. Wonderful voice acting and performance. Really enjoyed this.

awesome performance!

I love a story that stands on its own. the is no sequel needed!

Not for the casual reader

This book is written much more in the style of Edgar A Poe than in that of any current author. Not surprising given Mr Anderson’s generation. Most will find it difficult to read/listen to. You must work at it. However, for those with the will to work through it there are rewards of beautifully crafted passages; even though many are of the darkest kind of beauty. Be prepared. It is a very dark and grim story with no happy ending. The body count probably surpasses E. R. Burroughs’ Barsoom books put together. It is not a work that many will reread even once. It IS worth reading just this once.

Grim and dark

Overall very interesting, but too grim for my taste. Basically nothing good happens. Also the ending leaves a lot to be desired. What happens with Odin and the award?