Eaters of the Dead
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 8/15/2012
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 8/15/2012 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
I found this slightly-battered paperback at the Used Book Superstore, and as I'd never read it - and it was on sale - I picked it up. It's the book that inspired the 1999 film The 13th Warrior.
I enjoyed the "found document" framing device, and appreciated the mix of historical details with influences from a number of myths (most notably Beowulf). The narrator here is Ibn Fadlan, a courtier from Baghdad who's been sent on a diplomatic mission, but encounters a band of Vikings on the way and is caught up in their mission to battle the terrifying "monsters in the mist". (He's a real person, by the way, and many elements of his real-life journals are incorporated here.) His narrative tone is very dry and detached, though he does let drop occasional tidbits about some of his own racier deeds, as well as some embarrassing ones.
The contrast between the Vikings' usual attitude towards battle and their reaction to the news of the mist-creatures is striking, and gives the reader a clear impression that these mist-creatures are something truly horrifying - and the details of what they do to their victims only adds to that. But their attacks are increasing to the point where they can't be ignored, so Buliwyf and his men - including Ibn Fadlan - set out to take the battle to them. After bloody and terrifying encounters, and some very difficult travel, they reach the heart of the mist-creatures' tribe...
There's an appendix in which the author discusses the possible identity of the mist-creatures, and there's a bibliography for those who want to sift the historical from the fictional.
I enjoyed this historical-mashup, which reminded me a bit of another such mashup that inserts zombies into an ancient Roman setting, De Bello Lemures.
[There's a TV Tropes page about the book and film, under the film's title; entertaining and informative, but do beware of spoilers.]
I enjoyed the "found document" framing device, and appreciated the mix of historical details with influences from a number of myths (most notably Beowulf). The narrator here is Ibn Fadlan, a courtier from Baghdad who's been sent on a diplomatic mission, but encounters a band of Vikings on the way and is caught up in their mission to battle the terrifying "monsters in the mist". (He's a real person, by the way, and many elements of his real-life journals are incorporated here.) His narrative tone is very dry and detached, though he does let drop occasional tidbits about some of his own racier deeds, as well as some embarrassing ones.
The contrast between the Vikings' usual attitude towards battle and their reaction to the news of the mist-creatures is striking, and gives the reader a clear impression that these mist-creatures are something truly horrifying - and the details of what they do to their victims only adds to that. But their attacks are increasing to the point where they can't be ignored, so Buliwyf and his men - including Ibn Fadlan - set out to take the battle to them. After bloody and terrifying encounters, and some very difficult travel, they reach the heart of the mist-creatures' tribe...
There's an appendix in which the author discusses the possible identity of the mist-creatures, and there's a bibliography for those who want to sift the historical from the fictional.
I enjoyed this historical-mashup, which reminded me a bit of another such mashup that inserts zombies into an ancient Roman setting, De Bello Lemures.
[There's a TV Tropes page about the book and film, under the film's title; entertaining and informative, but do beware of spoilers.]
Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails at Shopping Plaza, 440 Middlesex Rd in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
GoryDetails at Shopping Plaza, 440 Middlesex Rd in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts USA on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Released 11 yrs ago (8/21/2012 UTC) at Shopping Plaza, 440 Middlesex Rd in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I left this book propped up on a lamp post in the parking lot in front of the AMC Theaters at the plaza at about 5; hope the finder enjoys it!*** Released as part of the 2012 Chills & Spills release challenge; the theme for August includes cannibalism. ***
*** Released as part of the 2012 Movie release challenge. ***
