Of Christians and Vikings: The Fiction of Lars Walker
It happens every once in a while. You discover something that is really special, that should be incredibly successful, but unaccountably, isn’t. A very well read friend made me aware of the fiction of Lars Walker. He writes mostly about Vikings during the period when Christianity contended with pagan religions, but he also has a contemporary novel (which happens to deal with Viking lore!).
I cannot give a high enough recommendation to Lars Walker’s The Year of the Warrior. I had to wait for it, but it was completely worth the wait. The narrator of the story is a young Irishman taken captive to sell as a slave by Vikings. They give him a tonsure to make him look like a priest so he’ll fetch a higher price. A newly converted Viking nobleman buys him because he needs a priest for his village. The Irishman decides to play the part of the priest in order to survive and the action flows from there.
Wonderful historical saga. Interesting insights about the Christian faith and its relationship to political power. Some beautiful battle sequences, too. Fully developed characters. Worth reading in every way.
So why the lack of bestseller status? I have a guess. The Lars Walker novels are published by Baen, which really specializes in sword and sorcery/science fiction. The covers of the Walker books have that look to them, but they are actually much deeper. I think the normal Baen reader is disappointed by the lack of standard genre stuff when they buy the book. But you, dear reader, will not be disappointed. You shall be blessed.
August 30th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
Looks interesting. Thanks for the recommendation!
August 30th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
Thanks, Hunter.
August 31st, 2006 at 9:35 am
I second the recommendation for Lars Walker and agree that he should be much better known. If the market for bad books doesn’t drive out the good, then he wll be.
August 31st, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Thanks for the recomendation. Here in Iraq I am always looking for something good to read.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:16 pm
“Here in Iraq I am always looking for something good to read.”
What? You have time to read?!?
Seriously, do you have any trouble getting books over there? Can we arrange to send you a copy?
August 31st, 2006 at 5:48 pm
Grover is right. Let on if you need a copy sent via some military package or something.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:44 pm
Joel: E-mail me through my website and I’ll sign a copy and send it to you.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Part 2: Joel, use the address link on this message. My blog doesn’t make it very easy.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Beats the heck out of my offer to run over to Borders!
September 1st, 2006 at 3:22 am
Mr. Walker,
Thank you for your kind offer. I will do just that.
Hunter and Grover,
Thank you for your consideration.
September 1st, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Thanks, Lars. A wonderful gesture.