This
unique and enchanting book opens the door to a captivating world of Icelandic
folk legends unfolding across six chapters, each based on a different
setting: farm, wilderness, darkness, church, ocean and shore. The anthology
provides translated tales from the 19th and 20th centuries, many in English
for the first time as well as introductions by the author which place these
often-supernatural happenings in the context of Icelandic society.

The legends include tales of hidden people, trolls, ghosts, sea monsters
and even polar bears, exploring themes of love, revenge and conflict. The
book highlights the tension between Christianity and heathen beliefs, past
and present, nature and humanity, and divides within society.

Drawing from a wide variety of Icelandic sources, the book makes these
colourful, entertaining, lively stories available to non-Icelandic speakers,
some for the first time.