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by Paul Hardwick (Editor), Kate Lister (Editor)
This essay collection is a wide-ranging exploration of Vikings, the television series that has successfully summoned the historical world of the Norse people for modern audiences to enjoy. From a range of critical viewpoints, these all fresh essays explore the ways in which past and present representations of the Vikings converge in the show's richly textured dramatization of the rise and fall of Ragnar Loobrok--and the exploits of his heirs--creating what many viewers label a "true" representation of the age. From the show's sources in both saga literature and Victorian revival, to its engagement with contemporary concerns regarding gender, race and identity, via setting, sex, society and more, this first book-length study of the History Channel series appeals to fans of the show, Viking enthusiasts, and anyone with an interest in medievalist representation in the 21st century.
Author Biography
Paul Hardwick is Professor of English at Leeds Trinity University, where he leads the creative writing programs and teaches medieval literature. He has published widely on the art and literature of the Middle Ages, with a particular focus on misericords and animal iconography, and on medievalism. Kate Lister is a lecturer in the School of Arts and Communications at Leeds Trinity University. She has published in the medical humanities, material culture, Victorian Studies, and neo-medievalism. She is a columnist for inews and won the Sexual Freedom Publicist of the Year Award in 2017.
