
audiobook
E-text prepared by Louise Hope, David Starner,
INTRODUCTION
EYVIND OF THE HILLS - [BJÆRG-EJVIND OG HANS HUSTRU] - A DRAMA IN FOUR ACTS - 1911
THE HRAUN FARM - [GAARDEN HRAUN] - A PLAY IN THREE ACTS - 1912
Kari’s Song
Icelandic Folk Melody
Icelandic Folk Melody
Set against the stark, wind‑blown valleys of early twentieth‑century Iceland, the drama follows the rugged shepherd Eyvind and his devoted wife as they carve a life from stone and snow. The couple’s simple routine is punctuated by the relentless demands of the land—stormy weather, scarce food, and the ever‑present specter of isolation. Through vivid dialogue and a keen eye for the subtle power of nature, the playwright draws a tense portrait of love tested by an unforgiving world.
Eyvind, a man of few words but great strength, wrestles with an inner need to prove his worth beyond the hills, while his wife clings to the hope that their home can become a sanctuary. Their interactions reveal both tender devotion and the unspoken fears that linger when survival hangs in the balance. The opening act builds a quiet suspense, letting listeners feel the chill of the wind and the heat of the hearth, setting the stage for choices that will shape their future.
Full title
Modern Icelandic Plays Eyvind of the Hills; The Hraun Farm Eyvind of the Hills; The Hraun Farm
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (190K characters)
Series
Scandinavian classics, v. 6
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2007-06-25
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1880–1919
Best remembered for the powerful play Fjalla-Eyvindur (Eyvind of the Mountains), this Icelandic dramatist and poet helped bring Icelandic stories to audiences far beyond his home country. Writing in both Icelandic and Danish, he built a reputation for intense, lyrical work before his life was cut short at just 39.
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