The Broken Sword (Fantasy Masterworks)

by Poul Anderson

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 Scafloc, a human child kidnapped and raised by the elves, can hope to persuade Bolverk the ice-giant to make Tyrfing whole again. But Scafloc must also confront his shadow self, Valgard the changeling who has taken his place in the world of men.

• ISBN10: 0575074256
• ISBN13: 9780575074255
• Publish Date: 12 September 2002 (first published 6 December 1973)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 22 February 2010
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Gollancz
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[teachergorman]

This novel is high on style, so if you don’t like fantasy or norse mythology, it probably isn’t for you, but if you like that kind of thing (I love it) then you’ll be impressed by Anderson’s ability to create an original tale that feels like ancient lore everyone should already be carrying around in our collective memory. The story is tragic, but that’s not a huge spoiler. You see the tragedy coming from early on in the novel. To Anderson’s credit, he compels you to suspend your disbelief, to spend the entirety of the story hoping against hope that it will end some other way than the way it must end. Anderson’s use of poetry, sparing and constructive rather than self-indulgent, gives the book part of it’s ancient feel without ever detracting from the story. If you like stories of the Aesir, Elves, Trolls, etc., be sure to check this one out!

[Linda]

I love norse mythology, elves and Beowulf, so when I read Michael's review I just couldn't help but add The Broken Sword to my massive list of books I'd like to read.