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The Long Ships

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The Long Ships

By: Frans G. Bengtsson, Michael Meyer, Michael Chabon
Narrated by: Michael Page
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About this listen

Bengtsson's hero, Red Orm-canny - courageous and above all lucky - is only a boy when he is abducted from his Danish home by the Vikings and made to take his place at the oars of their dragon-prowed ships. Orm is then captured by the Moors in Spain, where he is initiated into the pleasures of the senses and fights for the Caliph of Cordova. Escaping from captivity, Orm washes up in Ireland, where he marvels at those epicene creatures, the Christian monks, and from which he then moves on to play an ever more important part in the intrigues of the various Scandinavian kings and clans and dependencies. Eventually, Orm contributes to the Viking defeat of the army of the king of England and returns home an off-the-cuff Christian and a very rich man, though back on his native turf new trials and tribulations will test his cunning and determination.

Packed with pitched battles and blood feuds, and told throughout with wit and high spirits, Bengtsson's book is a splendid adventure that features one of the most unexpectedly winning heroes in modern fiction.

©1954, 2010 Frans G. Bengtsson; translation copyright 1954 by Michael Meyer; Introduction copyright 2010 by Michael Chabon (P)2017 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Sea Adventures Adventure Royalty Middle Ages Viking Vikings Historical Fiction
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This is without doubt one of the best books I have listened to; great story and well read.

Wonderful

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honestly one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to, beautifully narrated and fantastic story, loved it

awesome book, must read

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Like; the 'blurb" on the original paperback said, man-sized helpings of battle, murder and humour.

unparalled heroic saga The Long Ships

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What a delight to lose yourself to Red Orm’s world. Brilliant pacy story, and wonderful translation. Will miss coming back to this book. Lots and lots of fun.

Swashbuckling Viking Adventures!

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Wow what a book I loved it I could not fault it in any way.

Well worth it

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Very enjoyable narrative with great performance by the reader. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone who likes Vikings and stories of high adventure.

What an adventure!

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High adventure! I was captivated from the start. When I came to the end it was as if I had said good bye to great friends whom I would never see again. I can now only wait until the memory fades sufficiently, so that I can listen anew.

I swear by ancient oaths ... It is really good!

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This is a magnificent book full of humour. Definitely in my top 10 books of all time. very masculine, at time superbly understated. I have read and listened to this more than once, and have found my enjoyment underminished from the repetition.

sublime

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Really nice narration and great story. I love the way it has been written. Recommend to a friend

One of my favourites so far

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reads very much like a historic chronical and story given around a campfire. The story itself is very exciting but does feel like it jumps around quickly in the first half.

excellent saga of norse adventure

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