StoryGraph Saturday is a weekly thing where I randomly choose a book from my To Read pile on StoryGraph and show it off to both remind myself that it’s there and to show it to you in case you might find it interesting, too.

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Vinland
by George Mackay Brown
Historical Fiction
256 pages
Published in 1993

From The StoryGraph:

This book takes the reader on a journey from Orkney, over to Norway, into Iceland and Ireland, recreating with historical accuracy the customs and landscapes of the time while bringing the age to life through a large cast of engaging characters. Through the telling of Ranald’s story, Mackay Brown displays abundant knowledge about many facets of early Orkney life, of seamanship, marriage customs, beliefs and traditions and his portrayal of this age extends to the routine of the Norwegian Royal court. Traditional poetry is scattered throughout Mackay Brown’s prose adding a richness and depth to the tale he tells. Lore and legend, the elemental pull of the sea and the land, the sweetness of the early religion, and the darker, more ancient rites, weave through this exquisite celebration of Orcadian history and the inexorable seasons of life.

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A friend on Instagram gushed about the works of George Mackay Brown a few months ago, and he got me interested in it. Unfortunately, my library doesn’t have any of Brown’s books in its catalog, so I’ll have to do some searching, either via inter-library loan or used online. From my friend’s description, Brown’s work is introspective and beautiful, and when you throw the British Isles, Iceland, and the Medieval era into the mix, I’m bound to be interested.