The UC Berkeley Summer Reading List is an annual compilation of recommended (though not required) readings suggested by Cal faculty, staff, and students as a welcome to incoming freshmen and transfer students.
This week we take a closer look at
Anonymous Icelander
Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1971
“Our department teaches introductory courses in Scandinavian culture (literature, film, art), and we welcome freshmen to join us in Scandinavian 60 (focusing on early Scandinavia — aka Vikings) and Scandinavian 75 (modern Scandinavia). Here are a couple of titles [See also the next entry for Jar City] from our syllabi:
Hrafnkel’s Saga is the medieval story of a chieftain in Viking-age Iceland who bullies all comers until he meets his match…in a lawyer. Watch for the twist at the end. Great character study and introduction to the world of the sagas in short format.”
— Linda Rugg, Professor, Scandinavian
This post was contributed by Michael Larkin Lecturer, College Writing Programs
Tim Dilworth First Year Coordinator, Library
Jonathan Garrett Site designer, Doe & Moffitt Libraries