What is the Grettis Saga?

The Grettis Saga is one of the finest Icelandic family sagas, which details the life of Grettis Asmundarson, a warrior who became an outlaw. It was written in the 13th and early 14th century. Well-born, brave but trouble-prone Grettis, at 14, kills a man in a quarrel and is outlawed. He spends these years in Norway performing many brave deeds. On his return to Iceland, he saves people from the ghost of Glam. The dying fiend imposes a curse on him, predicting that he will grow afraid of the dark. Grettis accidentally kills the chieftain’s son and is outlawed again. Grettis is pursued by kinsmen of men he has wronged and by other outlaws for the price on his head. At last, his enemies overwhelm him with the aid of witchcraft. His brother avenges his death. The saga’s theme can be summed up thus: good gifts and good luck are often worlds apart.