Leif the Unlucky by Erik Christian Haugaard
"Leif the Unlucky" by Erik Christian Haugaard is a historical fiction novel that explores the challenges faced by the Norse settlers in Greenland during a time of climate decline and societal struggle. Set in the late 14th century, the story unfolds around Leif Magnussen, a hopeful leader, who dreams of uniting the dwindling colonists to preserve their way of life. The narrative interweaves themes of conflict and survival, notably through the rivalry between Leif and Egil Sigurdson, a character representing treachery and ambition. As the settlements fall into despair, Leif attempts to rally the remaining inhabitants, emphasizing cooperation and shared resources to revive their community. The stark, detached language mirrors the harsh realities of life in Greenland, while the character dynamics reflect timeless themes of good versus evil. Haugaard's portrayal of Leif's journey is both a personal and communal struggle, ultimately offering a poignant reflection on leadership, friendship, and the costs of conflict. The novel's exploration of these themes resonates with readers interested in historical narratives and the complexities of human relationships in challenging circumstances.
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Subject Terms
Leif the Unlucky by Erik Christian Haugaard
First published: 1982
Type of work: Historical fiction
Themes: Nature, coming-of-age, and war
Time of work: The fifteenth century
Recommended Ages: 13-15
Locale: Greenland
Principal Characters:
Leif Magnussen , a tall, strong fifteen-year-old, who feels destined to bring the fragmented colonies together in order to save them from extinctionMagnus Eriksen , his father, who counts his Norwegian coins and waits for the king’s ships from Norway instead of tending his farm on IsafjordEgil Sigurdson , a youth who sets about to conquer Brattahlid after his father abandons his floundering farm and moves to the larger colonyGunnar Ulfson , the demoralized master of Brattahlid, who also counts his silver and awaits the king’s shipsIngeborg Gudrunsdatter , Gunnar’s daughter, friend and cousin of LeifBera , Egil’s sister, who dislikes her brother and admires Leif
The Story
Told in the spirit of the sagas of old, this tale of battle and conquest offers a fictional explanation for what might have taken place shortly before the demise of the last Norse colony in Greenland. It is known that in the year 986 Erik the Red led a fleet of longships from Iceland to Greenland. Only fourteen ships survived the ensuing storms, but the resulting settlements prospered for several centuries and reached a total of more than five thousand inhabitants.
In the fourteenth century, the climate becomes colder and harsher. It is no longer possible to raise horses and cattle, and help from an unstable government in Norway is not forthcoming. Farm owners such as Gunnar Ulfson, master of the settlement at Brattahlid, and Magnus Eriksen, owner of a farm on Isafjord, lose spirit. They occupy their time counting the Norwegian coins they have saved over the years while waiting in vain for the king’s ships to appear. Meanwhile, their farms stand neglected and vulnerable to attack, or simply await abandonment. When Sigurd Ivarson’s wife dies, he becomes so dispirited that he moves his family of two children along with a small number of sheep to the settlement at Brattahlid. It is here that his cunning son, Egil, embarks on a plot that will put him on a collision course with Leif Magnussen.
Leif dreams of the time long ago when Erik the Red sailed up the fjord, after which farms and churches were built and the island flourished. There had even been a bishop of Greenland, in Gardar on Einersfjord. It was said that he had had a barn large enough for one hundred cows. There had been many priests to serve the populace, but eventually they and the bishop had died, and no one had ever come from Norway to replace them. In fact, Leif even wonders whether there is a king of Norway anymore.
In any event, it is clear to him that if the few remaining colonists are to survive, they will need to unite in body and in spirit. Leif proposes that all the inhabitants move to one settlement where they can share their sheep and goats so that the herds can survive and grow, the men can hunt and fish together, and the women can spin and weave. Their spirits will be restored as they sit about the fire on long winter evenings listening to tales of the heroism of their forebears. Somewhere in all Leif’s planning are soft and tender thoughts of Ingeborg Gudrunsdatter, a warm and delicate young girl who resembles her dead mother.
It is not long before Egil Sigurdson becomes master of his new home and acquires a “hird,” a following of young boys who can be counted on to carry out his bidding. To be sure, Ingeborg, who interests him very much, and Bera, his sister, clearly are not in his camp, nor is Ingeborg’s handsome Uncle Olav, who has decided to act as bishop since there is no one else to serve the Christian needs of the people. Leif hopes that the two strong boys can work together, but clearly Egil has other intentions.
A battle to the death is inevitable, and Egil dies, as do Magnus Eriksen and Ingeborg. Leif becomes the chieftain of Brattahlid, ruler of the Norse in Greenland. As the story of what might have happened ends, Leif has high hopes for the future.
Context
Erik Haugaard, author of Leif the Unlucky, was born in Denmark and spent his youth there, so his knowledge of and interest in the Icelandic sagas and Scandinavian history are understandable. Hakon of Rogen’s Saga (1963), A Slave’s Tale (1965), and The Untold Tale (1971) are among his books that also use a historical event to deal with universal concerns of adults and children. Interrelationships of the characters with their times, the struggles of the strong and the weak, the good and the evil, and the inevitable outcome of those struggles characterize these books.
The language in Leif the Unlucky is as stark and spare as fifteenth century Greenland itself, and the tone is almost one of detachment. If the characterizations are sketchy and the language stilted, as some critics have indicated, the power struggle and the events leading up to it paint a broad picture of individuals and groups and how their actions or inactions affect the destinies of all.
Leif Magnussen is the symbol of good, Egil Sigurdson of evil. One critic suggested that the situation is reminiscent of that in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies (1959). In many instances, the author negates through Leif the view of physical combat as heroic action. For example, on one occasion, when Leif sets off for Brattahlid, he decides to leave the spear and carry only his knife, believing that the sight of the spear will arouse antagonism and fear on the part of Egil and his hird. Later, when he meets an arrogant Egil, Leif’s first act is to extend his hand in greeting.
On the other hand, Magnus Eriksen, Leif’s father, is neither good nor evil. He epitomizes those who fall far short of the standard set by Leif. In life, he does little but gloat over his silver coins. Ironically, those very coins cause his death when he fights so violently to protect them that he is killed by a youthful gang of robbers. Leif remarks bitterly that his father’s life was no more noble than his death. At least the man who died defending him died in the name of friendship, and to die for friendship’s sake is noble. Such views are hardly new, but their impact is strong in the powerful context of Leif the Unlucky.