Book Review: The Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World Edited by Leszek Gardeła, Sophie Bønding and Peter Pentz
Published July 2023 by Oxbow Books
Print Length: 528 pages
Nonfiction. Archeology/history
The Norse Sorceress: Mind and Materiality in the Viking World is an incredible volume of essays that must be the definitive discussion of the Völva from current academic perspectives. The Völva or Norse Sorceress is a figure well known from the Eddas and Sagas of the Viking Age. Now, across academic disciples, experts are reconsidering and examining this figure not only as a literary construct but as an active and important part of Viking Age society.
The Norse Sorceress examines the magic, rituals and roles of the Völva, revealing the current analysis of archeological findings, historical knowledge and scientific investigation. Covering a huge area of consideration, The Norse Sorceress explores related topics including the role of animals and birds in ritual, land and buildings as ritual spaces, funeral and burial practices of the time, gender roles and representation, and of course the figure of the Völva herself. There are case studies of grave sites identified as possible Völva burials and thorough investigation of the items that may have made up the sorceress’s toolkit. The aspects covered are detailed and fascinating, giving the reader new insights into magic and the Völva in the Viking Age.
The contributors to The Norse Sorceress are all specialists in their particular fields, which their writing makes apparent. This volume has been written for a more academic audience, with an expectation of some basic knowledge in the fields discussed. This does make for a dense read; as a non-academic, I did find the essays challenging yet enjoyable. The different authors have individual written voices, some being more detailed and technical, while others have a more conversational and accessible approach. I would recommend anyone interested in diving into this book to already have a solid grasp of the period, as the historical context is assumed knowledge. I would also recommend a familiarity with the Eddas and Sagas, to gain the most enjoyment and insight from the sections that explore the literary aspects of the topic at hand.
It is worth noting that as an academic book, The Norse Sorceress is expensive. The hardcover edition looks absolutely amazing, but at almost AUD$150, it is sadly out of my price range. It is available as an ebook but still at a high price range at around AUD$55. If you are interested and can afford the cost, it is well worth it. If not, there are options. If you are a subscriber to the online ebook services Everand or KoboPlus, you can read this and most other books published by Oxbow books as part of your monthly subscription. If you have access to a university or academic library, they may also be happy to purchase a copy if you request it.
The Norse Sorceress is, in my opinion, an absolute treasure for anyone interested in the figure of the Völva and the archeological and historical understanding of her. Each essay explores a fascinating facet of the Viking Age, covering material culture, myth, ritual and magic. I cannot recommend this highly enough. Fascinating, challenging and inspiring, The Norse Sorceress is a must read for anyone curious about the subject.
For more information:
Publishers website: https://www.oxbowbooks.com/9781789259537/the-norse-sorceress/