Ice Land: A Novel [Advance Uncorrected Proofs]

Dvalin, the hero of ICE LAND, a half dwarf, half god (through his swan maiden mother)rides across Iceland to visit his mentally disturbed, extremely ill sister Idun, goddess of eternal youth. He discusses Idun's condition with her husband Bragi, god of poetry. Why had Bragi left Asgard, home of the other Aesir (race of Nordic gods)? "I grew tired of life among the Aesir. There was so much deceit. So much corruption. When a race of people is universally admired, their hearts turn to stone." ***

ICE LAND is about the coming disappearance of Odin, Loki, Idun, Bragi, Freya and all the other Nordic gods. We see the earliest stage of their displacement by the first Christian missionaries sent to Iceland by King Olaf of Norway. We experience the destruction of the home of the Aesir, Asgard, by the mighty volcano Hekla. It is "Goetterdaemmerung," the Twilight of the Gods. ***

Powerful and magical as they are (Loki changes shapes, Freya flies, thanks to her feathered cloak given her by Odin), at bottom the gods of Iceland are just folks like everybody else, no more worthy of special attention than other races such as giants and dwarves. All races can and do interbreed. We will miss those human, all too human, Viking gods with their quarrels, jealousies and amours. But they were not destined to be more than a passing phase in the history of Germanic religion. Odin hadn't a chance against God the Father. Freya could not hold a candle to the Blessed Virgin Mary. But they were arresting while men still believed in them. ***

ICE LAND is for easy bedtime reading. It is smooth, undemanding, touching lightly on important issues and topics such as plate tectonics, fate, the true religion, monogamy, loyalty, political decentralization of power, climate, agricultural and ranching practices. Great fun. Enjoy! - OOO -