Saga narration traditionally concentrates on plot at the expense of in-depth characterization. Minor characters are killed off almost immediately after they appear, and even major characters are introduced in a matter of fact way: "There was a man named ... " is a standard formula. The characters in the book, like those in many Norse sagas, speak in understatements. For example, when Grettir's brother Atli is pounced upon by surprise and dealt a mortal wound, his only comment is, "Broad swords are becoming fashionable nowadays." The characters' dialogue is also laced with short ironic jabs directed at those who do not measure up to heroic standards.

French's version of Grettir's saga catches the reserved, ironic flavor of speech characteristic of the Norse saga without departing noticeably from modern narrative techniques. His narrative is swift-paced and dramatic. In many Norse sagas, one mark of the true hero is the...