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The Tree of Strife
The Tree of Strife
Oct 7, 2024 8:26 AM

Author:David Wade,Bernard Hepton,Maureen O'Brien,Struan Rodger,Norman Rodway,Barbara Jefford,Robert Glenister,Maggie McCarthy,Full Cast

The Tree of Strife

An epic BBC historical drama based on Iceland's famous saga of tragedy, heroism and fate

Written by an anonymous storyteller in the 13th Century, and describing events between 960 and 1020, Njáls saga is one of the great works of medieval literature. The longest and most celebrated of the Icelandic sagas, it deals with family honour, vengeance, and a vicious blood feud spanning almost 50 years.

Based on the classic translation by Magnus Magnusson and Hermann Pálsson, this gripping dramatisation centres around two friends - the wise, learned Njal, and the brave warrior Gunnar. Gifted with the ability to see into the future, Njal can foretell his own death - but he is powerless to stunt the growth of the tree of strife that flourishes after Gunnar's betrothal to Hallgerd with the thief's eyes.

Embroiled in his wife's intrigues, Gunnar is caught in a cycle of killings and revenge - and as Njal's sons are drawn into this web of violence, tragedy ensues. Bound by ties of blood, and unable to escape their destiny, Gunnar, Njal, and their descendants seem doomed to an endless vendetta. Even the coming of a new faith, Christianity, fails to halt the conflict- and as brother turns upon brother, will peace ever be restored?

Adapted by veteran dramatist David Wade, this gripping tale vividly evokes Iceland's heroic age. Thronged with action, passion, power struggles and prophetic dreams, it features a host of vividly-drawn characters, and stars Bernard Hepton as Njal, Struan Rodger as Gunnar and Maureen O'Brien as Hallgerd.

Production credits

Dramatised by David Wade from a translation by Magnus Magnusson and Herman Palsson

Music by David Chilton and Nick Russell-Pavier

Directed by Jeremy Mortimer

Cast

Narrators - Norman Rodway & Barbara Jefford

Njal Thorgeirsson - Bernard Hepton

Gunnar Hámundarson- Struan Rodger

Hallgerd Long-Legs- Maureen O'Brien

Ahdli/Thorgeir Otkelsson - Ian Targett

Bergthóra, Njal's wife - Maggie McCarthy

Unn - Anna Cropper

Skarphedin Njalsson - Robert Glenister

Helgi Njalsson/Otkel Skarfsson - Vincent Brimble

Greem Njalsson - Andrew Branch

Brynjolv/Hoskuld Dala-Kollsson/Gayrmund - John Bull

Hrut Herjolfsson/Ketill/Thorgeir - David King

Kolskegg Gunnarsson - David Goudge

Thord Freemansson/Hocni Gunnarsson - Paul Downing

Thrain Sigfusson - John Church

Mord Valgardsson - Shaun Prendegast

Valgard the Grey - John Moffatt

Hoskuld Thrainsson - Jonathan Tafler

Hildigunn - Victoria Carling

Sigmundt/Skammkel/Gudmund - Brian Millar

Skjold/Law Speaker - Donald Gee

Asgnmr Ellioa-Grimsson/Thorgeir - Alan Barker

Flosi Thordarson - Crawford Logan

Kari Solumndarson - Jimmy Yuill

Kawl/Bjorn the White/Melkov - Ken Cumberlidge

Thorgardh/Bjorn's wife - Alice Arnold

Halvard/Thorgeir Skorargeir- Joe Dunlop

Greeman - Drew Branch

With Sam Bennett, Simon Linnell, Joan Matheson, Danny Schiller and Joan Walker

First broadcast BBC Radio 3, 17-18 February 1990

© 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P) 2022 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd

Reviews

Electrifyingly good...sharply comic and perfectly poignant

—— Daisy Buchanan, author of Insatiable

Keenly observed and hecking funny, this is a book for our times

—— Red

A fresh, funny novel filled with truths about relationships and perfect details. I tore though it

—— Amy Liptrot

The #HOTMESS manifesto... a relatable story about a slow-mo car crash of early 30s.

—— Evening Standard

Witty and heart-warming, we couldn't put this book down

—— Closer

A smart and witty portrait of modern female relationships

—— Metro

A funny and charming novel full of fresh observations, tenderness and hope

—— Katy Wix, author of Delicacy and star of Stath Lets Flats and Ghosts

With Rachel Lynn Solomon's trademark brand of humour and charm, Weather Girl is a love letter to every woman who's ever felt they had to hide their stormy days behind a sunshine exterior. With a tender romance at its center, this story will heat you up, melt your heart, and affirm the incredible beauty of being loved for exactly who you are

—— Sonia Hartl, author of Heartbreak for Hire

Weather Girl is warm and deeply romantic. Once again, Rachel Lynn Solomon has created a cast of characters that we fall in love with from the moment we meet them

—— Annette Christie, author of The Rehearsals

[Solomon's] realistic portrayal of the internal struggles that come with the highs and lows of optimism and depression, and how it affects sex and relationships, is an important one. Paired with humorous dialogue and many swoon-worthy moments, this romance book has all the joy you need

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Sparkles with quirky humour

—— Apple Books

Humorous, captivating, and delightful

—— USA Today

Heartfelt charm, memorable characters, steamy moments...this rom-com has it all

—— Women's World

Many treasures in this brilliant novel

—— Elizabeth Hardwick

Pankaj Mishra writes the most perfect prose of any Indian novelist of his generation

—— William Dalrymple

Mishra's eye is sharp, his prose flawless

—— Time

[A] surprisingly assured, provocatively balanced meditation on the familiar culture flash

—— Boston Globe

A truly ambitious attempt to compare the way people in the East and the West dream . . . Delicate and subtly tantalising in the way only a book can really be

—— Vogue

It is almost as if when everyone is flashing De Beers diamonds, Mishra traps the quiet luminescence of the moonstone in his theme and style

—— The Hindu

Mishra's writing has a lovely potency . . . subtly layered and compelling

—— Times Literary Supplement

Impressive . . . The Romantics turns its back on the exotic richness and the "teeming" panoramic quality which we readily assume to be expressive of Indianness itself

—— Sydney Morning Herald

A first novel whose achievement is something that most writers could be proud of at any stage in their careers

—— Vancouver Sun

Another brilliant tale from best-selling author Jane Fallon

—— Hello!

Brilliant

—— Bella

PRAISE FOR JANE FALLON

—— - -

Another Fallonesque treat. Full of heart, humour and humanity. She's so good at tapping into the best and the worst in us. Fabulous

—— RUTH JONES

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—— MILLY JOHNSON

Intelligent, edgy and witty

—— Glamour

We adore Jane Fallon's novels, and this witty page-turner could be her best yet

—— Closer

Ingenious. Her eye for detail, compressed emotion and the absurdity that lurks beneath what people say to each other, is unerring. One of our very finest comic novelists

—— Tortoise Media

I LOVE her books. She always delivers a fabaliss read

—— MARIAN KEYES

A romcom with attitude

—— Mail on Sunday

Jane Fallon is cool as f***

—— DAWN O'PORTER

Ingenious . . . This is one book you can't miss out on. Moriarty has an extraordinary talent. Thrilling

—— Female First

There is not a word wasted. I could not put it down

—— Today UK News

The ending is witty and satisfying, but comes with a dark twist. Apples Never Fall is another enjoyable offering full of intrigue, suspense and surprises, sure to delight

—— Press Association

Praise for Liane Moriarty

—— -

Wise, honest, beautifully observed. One of the few writers I'll drop anything for

—— Jojo Moyes

Staggeringly brilliant, literally unputdownable

—— Sophie Hannah

Keeps you guessing until the very end - perfect summer read

—— Reese Witherspoon

Moriarty writes vividly, wittily and wickedly

—— Sunday Express

Straight-from-life characters, knife-sharp insight and almost unbearable suspense will have you racing through it

—— Good Housekeeping

As brilliantly accomplished as it is dark, twisty and compulsive

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—— Stephen King

Riveting drama packed with suspense and secrets

—— Woman & Home

Like drinking a pink Cosmo laced with arsenic . . . a fun, engaging and sometimes disturbing read

—— USA Today

Perfect

—— Hello

Fascinating and compassionate

—— Daily Telegraph

I loved every line of it

—— Louise Candlish

Funny and captivating

—— Closer

A cracking story cleverly told

—— Fabulous

It would be easy to compare Straub to other masters of the genre like Meg Wolitzer or Jennifer Egan, but she's already a master in her own right

—— The Millions

Emma Straub is such a funny and brilliant writer and this time-travelling tale is a charming exploration of what it would be like to find yourself younger and surrounded by the people you love when they're still at the height of their power

—— Stylist

Wise and often hilarious

—— Buzzfeed

Readers will devour this witty and warmly satisfying novel

—— Publishers Weekly

A precise and observant writer whose supple prose carries the story along without a snag. Straub's characters are a quirky and interesting bunch . . . it's a pleasure spending time with them

—— Starred Review, Kirkus

Devilishly observed

—— Starred Review, Booklist

Sprinkled with humour and insight

—— Starred Review, Library Journal

Straub is consistently excellent

—— Book Riot
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