Today we talk about Bergthora’s Saga: A Heathen Revenge in a Christian Iceland, a book by Reiner Prochaska published with our publishing house Europe Books.
Europe Books had the pleasure of interviewing the author Reiner Prochaska to get to know him better, where he found the inspiration to write his Bergthora’s Saga: A Heathen Revenge in a Christian Iceland, as well as how she describes her Writing style.
Below you can find our interview. Take a seat and enjoy your reading!!!
- Where did you find the inspiration to write this book?
In 2018, we spent five days in Iceland while travelling to Germany. We visited the Settlement Museum in Borgarnes and the Snorrastofa museum in Reykholt. The former is a fascinating introduction to the history and culture of (primarily) Norwegians settling in Iceland between 874 and 930 while the latter is a center dedicated to the research into medieval Icelandic literature in general, and Snorri Sturluson’s works in particular. Snorri was a thirteenth-century historian, politician, and poet; he is credited with having authored literature that contributes to our understanding of Norse mythology today. His works are assumed to have influenced modern authors, including J.R.R. Tolkien. Learning about Icelandic family sagas inspired me to write a novel based on medieval storytelling for modern audiences and to explore themes that are relevant in both an historic and a modern context.
- What are the crucial themes of your work?
The main themes in the book are female empowerment, religious tolerance, gender identification, colonialization, and family life.
Female Empowerment: No family sagas are named after women. Women figure in them prominently, but men are the central characters. In my book, Bergthora is the protagonist; it is the story of her revenge. The story also explores how men manipulate women into competing with one another but how women can find power when they become one another’s allies.
Religious Tolerance: The story is told against the backdrop of conversion to Christianity in Iceland—a choice driven more by political necessity to avoid civil strife than by spiritual conviction. Bergthora searches for peace in Christianity but discovers power in her heathen roots. But Christians and heathens coexist peacefully after conversion. Bergthora’s best friend in Greenland, the historical Gudrid Thornbjarnardottir, is a devout Christian who, after a pilgrimage to Rome, became one of Iceland’s first anchorites, or independent nuns. Although they could not be more different from a spiritual perspective, the two women unite in their shared humanity. Their friendship is rooted in their respect for the other woman’s convictions and principles.
Gender Identity: Kjartan’s relationship with Cosmas in Constantinople explores a world where members of a “third gender” must skillfully navigate the worlds of men and women.
Colonialization:The Norse reached North America via Greenland 500 years before Columbus. Viking-age Scandinavians were known for either annexing land outright (Iceland and Greenland) or assimilating into other cultures through settlement and marriage (Normandy, Eastern Europe, etc.). I would like my readers to reflect on their reaction to Thorfinn’s voyage to Vinland (the Norse name for North America) and his interaction with the indigenous population. Do we root for Thorfinn’s group, or are we outraged?
- What would you like to hear from your readers about this work?
Three things. First, I’d like to know if readers experienced the world I (re-)created as authentic. A substantial amount of research went into the daily life in Iceland, Greenland, and Constantinople. I hope my readers feel immersed in that world. Secondly, as a reader, I usually relate most to a specific character in a story (as an actor, I am happiest when I get to play that character). Therefore, I am eager to know which characters my readers most identify with—and why. Finally, as a male writer, I am always concerned about creating believable, nuanced, compelling female characters. I hope that my readers will admire Bergthora, Engilborg, and Ægileif for their strength, intelligence, integrity, and courage.
- How do you describe your Writing style?
I like experimenting with perspective. I learned early in my writing career that I prefer first person because it is the most vivid and insightful perspective a character can share with a reader. However, this novel weave multiple perspectives into one story: (1) Helgi’s frame narrative in first person, (2) the saga he writes in past tense and third person, and (3) the first-person, present-tense accounts of the people in Helgi’s saga. The two latter narrative strands are meant to create tension because the story Helgi tells 350 years later from a male, Christian perspective is often at odds with the actual experiences of the people in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. Also, as a playwright and screenwriter, I have a natural tendency to infuse my stories with dialogue. This can add life to a scene. It also creates tension because—due to the first-person perspective—we know what the character is thinking, as well as what she is saying or not saying.
- Are you planning to write more books? Can you tell us something about it?
I am currently working on two book projects. One is an illustrated children’s book set in a magical alpine kingdom populated by animals who, through their adventures, learn about kindness, honesty, integrity, and charity. The other project is a trilogy of novels—perhaps graphic novels. I am still developing my illustrations skills. The story, which I would describe as fantasy/Sci-fi/historical, is set during the Cold War on an Earth in a parallel universe. Another historical project I am working on is a stage script for a living history festival I am producing next year. It is set at Catoctin Furnace, Maryland, during the Revolutionary War and explores the contributions of European immigrants and African slaves to the American war effort.
Europe Books thanks the author Reiner Prochaska once again for taking the time and answering our questions. We are really pleased to have walked alongside him on the editorial path that led to the publication of his book Bergthora’s Saga: A Heathen Revenge in a Christian Iceland. We wish him the best of luck for his book and for his future works.
To you, my dear reader, may this book allow you to immerse yourself in the story here told and that the vicissitudes of the characters will capture you and keep you entertained.
So, my dear reader, all I have to say is to enjoy your reading!
Your Editor!