The Broken Sword (1954/1971) by Poul Anderson is a moving story of epic proportions masterfully told. Anderson skillfully combines Christian traditions and Norse mythologies into a story that diminishes neither. The Broken Sword is heroic fantasy told with literary intent succeding wonderfully.

Elf-earl Imric secretly takes the son of Orm and replaces him with a creature born of the faerie. Imric raises Skafloc as an elf while Orm raises Valgard as a man. Skafloc grows full of strength and goodness while Valgard becomes unruly and wild. Even though they have never met their lives are intertwined.

Valgard, searching for his brother, finds him with a beautiful woman. In a fit of jelousy he slays his brother to make the woman his. The woman reveals the truth of Valgard’s existence, that he is not the son of Orm but of elf and troll. This sets Valgard on a path of revenge.

Word has come to Imric that the trolls across the sea are preparing to make war on the elves. Skafloc, more elf than man, sets sail to attack the trolls before they can complete their plans. Thus begins a war that will determine not only the fate of the Faerie but the world of men.

The events of The Broken Sword take place during the times of the vikings. It is a time when Christianity is beginning to flourish yet there are still those that follow the old gods. Anderson goes further by infusing his world with magic and witchcraft. Without attempting to reconcile either Anderson brings the world of The Broken Sword to visceral life.

Working from his own Danish heritage, Anderson’s style with The Broken Sword is lyrical and poetic. The story has a feel similar to the Norse Eddas at times as Anderson uses short stanzas to tell story and add atmosphere. Modern readers might find this style awkward at first but it quickly becomes part of the flow.

Anderson’s characters develop in a direct way. Like literature of the past the characters’ development happens primarily through their actions. When a character does something this is because it is part of their internal make up. To some this may make the characters somewhat flat. However, this style makes the characters concrete as the characters tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves.

The plot and action of The Broken Sword are powerful. The action is violent and terrifying without being overtly graphic. Events are epic in proportion and demand appropriate responses. Anderson does a marvelous job of painting the action without needless exposition.

Many modern fantasy stories have fairy-tale endings that are meant to comfort the reader. Anderson eshews this completely. He understands that when men deal with gods and giants and magic the result is often terrible. The Broken Sword has more in common with Greek tragedies than modern fantasy and that is refreshing.

Fans of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings will find many elements of The Broken Sword familiar. Anderson and Tolkien both take inspiration from the same sources. However, where Tolkien uses them to draw out his story, Anderson boils them down to their essence. Both approaches are equally valid and both have much to say. And while Anderson’s work is much shorter than Tolkien’s, it’s just as epic in scope.

While The Broken Sword was first published in 1954, the version I read was Anderson’s revised 1971 text. What the differences are between the two I cannot say, however, Anderson claims the changes are due to him being a better writer. I have no doubts the revisions make book better.

The Broken Sword is one of Anderson’s earliest novels. As a work of fantasy it sets an extremely high bar. One that most authors can never hope to achieve. Anderson creates a work that has both literary and enterainment values. This makes The Broken Sword a classic work of fantasy that is must read for all readers regardless of genre.