she has not included the most recent contributions on the studies of medieval world views, such a... more she has not included the most recent contributions on the studies of medieval world views, such as John Tolan’s study on the medieval images of Saracens (2002) or Sverrir Jakobsson’s Við og veröldin (2005). These omissions might be explained by the fact that the book is based on a doctoral thesis submitted in 1999, but it would have benefited from including discussions of more recent studies. Moreover, most readers would have preferred to have the (often extensive) citations from Old Norse texts translated into English. Certainly, Divjak has done scholarship a great service in providing the first translation of this saga into English (pp. 297–352); still, in the main text the citations to the Old Norse is only to the Kålund edition of 1917, of which few of those interested in the book readily have on their shelves. It would have been more convenient if the translations appeared on the same page as the citations, or at least with a reference to where the translation of the passage can be found in the appendix. Also quotations from other Old Norse texts lack translations. This should not discourage anyone to read this very useful, thorough and pioneering study. Everyone interested in the transmission, perceptions and uses of European culture in Iceland will find much to learn here. Alenka Divjak has done scholars a great service by publishing this book.
she has not included the most recent contributions on the studies of medieval world views, such a... more she has not included the most recent contributions on the studies of medieval world views, such as John Tolan’s study on the medieval images of Saracens (2002) or Sverrir Jakobsson’s Við og veröldin (2005). These omissions might be explained by the fact that the book is based on a doctoral thesis submitted in 1999, but it would have benefited from including discussions of more recent studies. Moreover, most readers would have preferred to have the (often extensive) citations from Old Norse texts translated into English. Certainly, Divjak has done scholarship a great service in providing the first translation of this saga into English (pp. 297–352); still, in the main text the citations to the Old Norse is only to the Kålund edition of 1917, of which few of those interested in the book readily have on their shelves. It would have been more convenient if the translations appeared on the same page as the citations, or at least with a reference to where the translation of the passage can be found in the appendix. Also quotations from other Old Norse texts lack translations. This should not discourage anyone to read this very useful, thorough and pioneering study. Everyone interested in the transmission, perceptions and uses of European culture in Iceland will find much to learn here. Alenka Divjak has done scholars a great service by publishing this book.
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