When We Were Vikings - Andrew David MacDonald - A Short Summary and Review
When We Were Vikings - Andrew David MacDonald - A Short Summary and Review
By: a.d. elliott | Take the Back Roads - Art and Other Odd Adventures
A Rite of Fancy Book Recommendation and Review
A Short Summary:
When We Were Vikings follows Zelda, a young woman with developmental disabilities who dreams of living according to the heroic ideals of Viking legends. Guided by her love of mythology and her personal “rules for living,” Zelda sets out on a journey to build a meaningful and independent life while protecting the people she cares about.
As Zelda navigates friendships, danger, betrayal, and adulthood, the novel explores vulnerability, trust, family, and the struggle to find dignity in a world where too many people are willing to exploit others. Through all of it, Zelda’s courage and determination give the story both warmth and emotional power.
My Favorite Quote from the Book:
Questions to ponder while reading:
My Review:
When We Were Vikings is an enjoyable and deeply human story that balances humor, heartbreak, and hope surprisingly well. Zelda is the kind of character who immediately draws readers into her world because she approaches life with sincerity, determination, and a uniquely shaped perspective rooted in her love of Viking mythology.
What hit me hardest in this novel was the way it handled vulnerability and exploitation. The book does not shy away from the reality that people with developmental disabilities are often taken advantage of by others, sometimes by the very people who are supposed to protect them. That aspect of the story is frustrating and heartbreaking because it feels painfully real. Watching Zelda try to understand the complex motivations and failures of the people around her gave the novel considerable emotional weight.
At the same time, the story never becomes hopeless. Zelda’s voice carries the novel, and her belief in heroism, loyalty, and courage gives the book an uplifting core even during difficult moments. Her “Viking rules” could have felt gimmicky in another writer’s hands, but here they become a meaningful framework for how she tries to navigate an often confusing world.
By the end, I was simply glad Zelda found a place where she was valued and understood. The novel is funny, sad, warm, and ultimately compassionate. Readers who enjoy character-driven literary fiction with emotional depth and unconventional protagonists will likely connect strongly with this one.
If you liked When We Were Vikings, you may also like:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time - Mark Haddon
600 Hours of Edward - Craig Lancaster
The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland - Rebekah Crane
She shares her journeys at Take the Back Roads, explores new reads at Rite of Fancy, and highlights U.S. military biographies at Everyday Patriot.
You can also browse her online photography gallery at shop.takethebackroads.com.
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