Judith Lindbergh—The Thrall's Tale
A Review of a Novel About Three Women Trapped by Fate
From the opening words “Einar owns me.” to the closing chapters over 400 pages later when the same character says “Still we are as bond-thralls, but now of my own making.” Judith Lindbergh’s first novel The Thrall’s Tale entangles the reader in the lives of three women, Katla, Thorbjorg, and Bibrau, who are bound by fate and their position in Viking society.
Skillfully Written
Lindbergh’s skill as a writer is undeniable. The characters are well wrought and the descriptions are captivating. When one picks up the hefty tome, Katla and her situation immediately draws the reader into novel. As the story progresses, Katla is rescued by Thorbjorg and the reader is intrigued by the strength and compassion of the ancient seeress. However, by the time Katla’s unwanted daughter Bibrau is born, the reader begins to tire of the characters; who, while fascinating, are often frustrating and unlikable.
The book is told through the voices of three different women who share the story through the lens of their own type of slavery.
Katla
Katla is arguably the central character in the novel since the opening segment is told in her voice. She is the child of an Irish Christian who was captured by Vikings. Born in captivity, Katla only knows bondage. She is cruelly raped by her master’s son and carries a child as a result of that violence. A child whom she hates. Near the end of the novel she speaks of her own enthrallment to Christ and in doing so recognizes that we are all slaves. Freedom doesn’t exist except through our willing acceptance of our bondage.
Thorbjorg
Thorbjorg is a seeress whose life is captivated by the visions granted to her by one-eyed Odin. Despite their religious differences there is an understanding between Katla and Thorbjorg that never wavers despite the divisiveness of Katla’s daughter Bibrau.
Bibrau
Bibrau is Katla’s daughter born of rape. Unwanted from the moment of conception she is twisted in the womb and is born weird and cruel. Thorbjorg adopts her and tries to raise her out of her hate. However, Bibrau is twisted by a hate which consumes her with the need for revenge, the cruelest bondage of all.
Bondage
All three women are enslaved. Bibrau’s captivity is deadly. Thorbjorg has always suffered her bondage willingly. And Katla trades hers for a freely given captivity. Their bondage defines their lives and their relationships, as it does for all people.
Lindbergh states in an interview with Luan Gaines that “Most of us live lives that are essentially insignificant in the scheme of history. And yet we live, want, love, lose, hurt, mourn. To these unnoticed people I want to give the spotlight.”
If common life seen through the lens of history interests you and if you can be persistent and push through the long slog in the middle of the book, the ending of Lindbergh’s novel redeems the struggle.
Lindbergh, Judith. The Thrall’s Tale. Penguin Group, 2006.
