Henrietta Branford (1946–1999)

This is the story of Ran, a young Viking girl who learns of the death of her father and brothers while they are away on a trading voyage. She lives with her grandmother and mother on their farm. Her mother never loved her father, and cannot bear to look upon Ran as she reminds everyone in looks, of her father.

She travels with her mother and the man her mother has taken up with , Vigut, to a nearby holding in order to take part in the winter ceremony. This becomes a nightmare as Ran is show more chosen as the winter sacrifice and flees with a blind musician. Vigut becomes her sworn enemy and pursues her from Norway to Iceland, where she and her musician husband are trying to create a new life for themselves.

A simple story told with straight forward conviction, the author includes many details of Viking day-to-day life, including their beliefs and customs that shaped their world. A rather dark tale of doomed romance and fate. show less

Who would have thought that a children's book about a dog living in England in 1381 would have such a realistic feel? The dog experiences losing her master and mistress, captured and imprisoned by men who don't like the peasants revolting. The dog experiences losing her puppies. The dog experiences the difficulties of trying to find food in lean times. An unexpectedly stark look at life during these times. So stark that I would caution parents of sensitive children.

I read this authors book, 'Fire, Bed, and Bone,' so when I saw this book naturally I picked it up. Both these books have almost the feel of a poem. White Wolf is a beautifuly told story of a wolf. It will make you feel like you can really imagine what a wolf might be thinking. In fact the author made me think....yes that is how they would act. The book is geared towards young readers but most certainly every age will enjoy it.

This is the third book I've read by this author. I would say definitely this is not my favorite. While it was a good story and a glimpse of the life of vikings. It just did not have the poetic feel of the other books. A caution to younger readers, some of the content is not for the conservative younger reader.