WINTER'S DAUGHTER: The Saying of Signe Ragnhilds-datter

by Charles Whitmore ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 1984

A stylish saga--in the ancient, traditional sense of ""saga""--set in a future where nuclear war has destroyed most of the industrial northern hemisphere. Africa remains relatively unscathed; here lives Norwegian doctor Ragnhild, whose problems center on a succession of insistent (and sometimes unpleasant) suitors. But Ragnhild finally marries, and she gives birth to daughter Signe. Later, as the Africans grow less tolerant of the whites among them, some locals rob and murder Signe's father; a terrified witness, Signe soon coolly poisons the perpetrators. But then all whites are expelled--so Ragnhild returns to her family in Norway, while Signe and her brother Edvard decide upon Wisconsin, where their father's family resides. But Wisconsin, occupied by Argentina and torn by struggles between peasants, landlords, and church, proves unaccommodating. Finally, then, Signe proceeds to Norway--where there are further disputes involving the local economy, religion, and relatives. Signe herself is a well-drawn, strong, believable heroine. But the supporting cast fails to come to life. Confusing, too, are the huge numbers of indistinguishable relatives. And the flat, bald narrative--stylistically remarkably near to ancient adventures like Njal's Saga--offers little in the way of involvement or appeal. Overall, then: technically impressive, dramatically dubious--though fanciers of socio-political fantasy will find lots to chew on here.

Pub Date: July 1, 1984

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Timescape/Pocket Books--dist. by Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1984

Categories: FICTION