The Broken Sword

Originally published in 1954 prior to Tolkien’s Fellowship of the Ring and later revised and republished by the author in 1971, I reread this classic as an audiobook, recently released by Tantor Media (in 2022). I found striking parallels to Tolkien’s later tragic tale of Turin Turambar. Also very similar to the Icelandic Kullervo of the Finnish Kalevala. No happy endings to be found here.

I read two reviews of this book, one by Michael Morcock published in the Guardian in 2003 https://theguardian.com/books/2003/jan/25/featuresreviews.guardianreview18 and another by Harvey Ryan last year https://blackgate.com/broken-in-two-poul-andersons-two-versions-of-the-broken-sword

An excellent swashbuckling and romantic fantasy sword adventure; like a more accessible version of the Icelandic sagas. Great read!