"Nowhere does a nation bare its soul to the same extent as in its popular lore, its folktales, ' say translators May and Hallberg Hallmundsson n their introduction to this section of Icelandic folk and fairy tales. Spanning the rich folk tradition from ghosts and elves to sorcerers, saints and outlaws, the stories reflect everyday life of Iceland through the centuries, throwing a unique light on the Icelandic character in humorous as well as serious circumstances. The Hallmunssons have selected and translated all the tales in this volume from classic collection of 19th-century folklorist Jón Árnason, who devoted years of his life to recording stories preserved by oral tradition since the early days of Iceland's history.
