The Legend of the Ice People

The Legend of the Ice People

Cover of the novel.

2012 e-book cover for the English e-book adaptation of Spellbound
Author Margit Sandemo
Original title Sagaen om Isfolket (Norwegian)
Language Norwegian
Genre Adventure
Fantasy
Paranormal Romance
Historical
Publisher Katrin Agency
Published 1982–1989

The Legend of the Ice People (in Norwegian language Sagaen om Isfolket) is a 47-volume story of a family bloodline, first published in 1982.[1] The author of the series is Margit Sandemo. The novels are predominantly based in Scandinavia and focus on historical fact, but contain some fantastical elements. The series first began as a feuilleton in the Norwegian magazine Hjemmet. The first volume was released 1982, and the series became one of the best-selling series of novels in Scandinavia, with more than 39 million copies sold.[2]

The series was originally published in Norwegian, but have been translated into over eight languages including Swedish, Polish, Icelandic, Russian, Hungarian and English.

The Legend

Once upon a time, many centuries ago, Thengil the Evil went out to the wilderness and sold his soul to the Devil. He became the forefather of the Ice People. For wealth and power, one of his descendants, in every generation, would be cursed to serve the devil and perform evil deeds. Their distinguishing feature would be yellow cat eyes and they would possess magical powers. Some say they will never be free of the curse until they unearth the urn containing the potion that Tengel the Evil used to summon the Devil. It is said one day a child of his blood will be born, gifted with knowledge and wisdom the like of which the world has never known before who will end the family curse. So says the legend but no one knows if it’s true.

In the 16th century, a cursed child of the Ice People was born. He tried to turn evil to good, and therefore he was called Thengil the Good. This saga is about his family. Or rather it is about the women in his family.

Plot

The story begins in Trondheim, Norway in 1581, with the story of Silje Arngrimsdotter, and how she comes into contact with the Ice People, a community of outcasts living in an isolated valley. From there on it follows the Ice People through the centuries, with members of the clan migrating from Norway to Denmark and Sweden. Other members of the clan wind up in or visit various corners of Europe and Asia over the course of the series.

The Ice People are cursed with a terrible forefather, Tengel the Evil, whose actions resulted in at least one cursed individual being born in every generation. The cursed individuals were born with magical and mystical abilities, but also the potential for bottomless evil. The cursed men have yellow eyes, malformed shoulder blades and Mongol features, while the cursed women have yellow eyes, but are otherwise beautiful. Some cursed individuals fight their tendency for evil, whilst others embrace it.

Each book tells a separate story, very often the story of one or a few individuals of the clan. Quite often the protagonist of each book is a female, sometimes of the Ice People, but sometimes one who will marry into the clan. Many of the books also focus on the cursed individuals, their battle with their evil tendencies, and also how they utilise their powers, be it for good or evil.

Throughout the series, the cursed and their helpers steadily increase their efforts to rid the clan of the curse from Tengel the Evil. But the beastly forefather is not dead, he is merely sleeping, awaiting a special signal that will wake him up and allow him to take over the entire world with a reign of terror. Before this signal is played his descendants must find a way to defeat Tengel and rid themselves and the world of his curse. The end battle will require the birth of a very special individual as well as the help of some powerful mythological creatures.

Adaptations

Stage

In 2008 stage productions based upon the first three novels in the Legend of the Ice People premiered, receiving positive reviews from critics.[3]

Television

In 2011 it was announced that a television adaptation of the series was being planned, with an estimated length of 200 episodes.[4]

The Legend of the Ice People

Swedish title Norwegian title Icelandic title Translated title English title Polish title Hungarian title Published
1TrollbundenTrollbundetÁlagafjötrarSpellboundSpellboundZauroczenieVarázslat 1982
2HäxjaktenHeksejaktenNornaveiðarThe Witch-huntWitch-huntPolowanie na czarowniceÁtkos örökség 1982
3AvgrundenAvgrunnenHyldýpiðThe PrecipiceDaughter of DarknessOtchłańÖrvényben 1982
4LängtanLengselVoninLongingDesireTęsknotaVágyakozás 1982
5DödssyndenDødssyndenDauðasyndinThe Mortal SinMortal SinGrzech śmiertelnyHalálos bűn 1982
6Det onda arvetDen onde arvenIllur arfurThe Evil LegacyEvil InheritanceDziedzictwo złaNincs menekülés 1982
7Spökslottet (novel)SpökslottetDraugahöllinThe Ghost CastleNemesisZamek duchówKísértetkastély 1982
8Bödelns dotterBøddelens datterDóttir böðulsinsThe Executioner's DaughterThe Executioner's DaughterCórka hyclaA pribék lánya 1982
9Den ensammeDen ensommeSkuggi fortíðarThe Lonely One SamotnyA magányos lovag 1982
10VinterstormVinterstormVetrarhríðWinter Storm Zimowa zawieruchaHóvihar 1983
11BlodshämndBlodhevnBlóðhefndBlood Feud ZemstaVérbosszú 1983
12Feber i blodetFeber i blodetÁstarfuniFever in the Blood GorączkaNyugtalan szív 1983
13Satans fotspårSatans fotsporFótspor SatansFootprints of Satan Ślady SzatanaA sátán lábnyoma 1983
14Den siste riddarenDen siste ridderSíðasti riddarinnThe Last Knight Ostatni rycerzRemény nélkül 1983
15Vinden från österVinden fra østAustanvindarThe Wind from the East Wiatr od WschoduKeleti szél 1984
16GalgdockanGalgeblomstenGálgablómiðThe Mandrake Kwiat wisielcówA bitófa virága 1984
17Dödens trädgårdDødens haveGarður dauðansThe Garden of Death Ogród śmierciA halál kertje 1984
18Bakom fasadenBak fasadenGríman fellurBehind the Facade Dom upiorówMaszkabál 1984
19Drakens tänderDragens tennerTennur drekansDragon's Teeth Zęby smokaSárkányfogvetemény 1984
20Korpens vingarRavnens vingerHrafnsvængirWings of the Raven Skrzydła krukaHollószárnyak suhogása 1985
21VargtimmenDjevlekløftenUm óttubilThe Wolf Hour Diabelski JarFarkasok órája 1985
22Demonen och jungfrunDemonen og jomfruenJómfrúin og vætturinThe Demon and the Maiden Demon i pannaDémon és angyal 1985
23VårofferVårofferVorfórnSpring Sacrifice Wiosenna ofiaraÁldozat 1985
24Djupt i jordenI jordens dypÍ iðrum jarðarDeep in the Ground Martwe WrzosyA mélyben 1985
25Ängel med dolda hornEngel med svarte vingerGuðsbarn eða galdranornAngel with Hidden Horns Anioł o czarnych skrzydłachÁlnok tündér 1985
26Huset i EldafjordHuset i EldafjordÁlagahúsiðThe House in Eldafjord Dom w EldafjordAz eldafjordi ház 1986
27Synden har lång svansSkandalenHneyksliðSin has a Long Tail SkandalSkandalum 1986
28Is och eldIs og ildÍs og eldurIce and Fire Lód i ogieńLáng és jég 1986
29Lucifers kärlekLucifers kjærlighetÁstir LúcífersLucifer's Love Miłość LucyferaLucifer szerelme 1986
30MänniskadjuretUtysketÓkindinThe Man-Beast Bestia i wilkiA dúvad 1986
31FärjkarlenFergemannenFerjumaðurinnThe Ferryman PrzewoźnikA révész 1987
32HungerHungerHungurHunger GłódÉhség 1987
33Nattens demonNattens demonMartröðThe Demon of the Night Demon NocyNem isten, nem ember 1987
34Kvinnan på strandenKvinnen på strandenKonan á ströndinniThe Woman on the Beach Kobieta na brzeguA tengerparti lány 1987
35Vandring i mörkretVandring i mørketMyrkraverkWanderings in Darkness Droga w ciemnościachVándorlás a sötétben 1987
36TrollmåneTrollmåneGaldratunglMagic Moon Magiczny księżycHoldvarázs 1987
37Stad i skräckSkrekkens byVágesturA Town in Fear Miasto strachuA rettegő város 1987
38Små män kastar långa skuggorSkjulte sporÍ skugga stríðsinsSmall Men Throw Long Shadows Urwany śladCsigaház 1988
39Rop av stumma rösterRop av stumme røsterRaddirnarScreams of Silent Voices Nieme głosyHangtalan sikoly 1988
40Fångad av tidenFanget av tidenFangi tímansImprisoned by Time Więźniowie czasuA múlt börtönében 1988
41Demonernas fjällDemonenes fjellDjöflafjalliðDemon Mountain Góra DemonówA démonok hegyén 1988
42Lugnet före stormenStille før stormenÚr launsátriThe Calm Before the Storm Cisza przed burząVihar előtti csend 1988
43En glimt av ömhetEt streif av ømhetÍ blíðu og stríðuA Glimpse of Tenderness Odrobina czułościA szeretet hatalma 1989
44Den onda dagenDen onde dagenSkapadægurThe Evil Day Fatalny dzieńBaljós nap 1989
45Legenden om MarcoLegenden om MarcoBöðullinnThe Legend of Marco Książę Czarnych SalMarco legendája 1989
46Det svarta vattnetDet svarte vannetSvarta vatniðThe Black Water Woda złaA fekete víz 1989
47Är det någon därute?Er det noen der ute?Er einhver þarna úti?Is There Anybody Out There? Czy jesteśmy tutaj sami?Van valaki odakint? 1989

References

  1. "Eventyr for voksne". NRK. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  2. "Britene oppdager "Isfolket"". ABC. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  3. "Isfolket på Fagernes Sol av Isfolket er eit friluftsteater på Valdres Folkemuseum, Fagernes.". Teaternett. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  4. "Sagaen om Isfolket blir TV-serie". NRK. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
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