The Northwomen: Untold Stories from the Other Half of the Viking World by Heather Pringle: A Book Review

The Northwomen: Untold Stories from the Other Half of the Viking World

Author: Heather Pringle

Genre: Nonfiction, History, Biography 

Publisher: National Geographic Digital

Book Release Date: 2025

Pages: 389

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: For fans of provocative history and "Game of Thrones" alike, this revisionist narrative reveals how the little-known women of the Viking era shaped their world.

      Until Scandinavia converted to Christianity and came under the rule of powerful kings, the Vikings were a dominant force in the medieval world. Outfitted with wind-powered sailing ships, they left their mark, spreading terror across Europe, sacking cities, deposing kings, and ransacking entire economies. After the Vikings, the world was never the same.

      But as much as we know about this celebrated culture, there is a large missing piece: its women. All but ignored by contemporary European writers, these shadowy figures were thought to have played little part in the famous feats of the Vikings, instead remaining at home as wives, mothers, and homemakers.

       In this cutting-edge, revisionist portrait, renowned science journalist Heather Pringle turns those assumptions on their head, using the latest archaeological research and historical findings to reveal this group as they actually were. Members of a complex society rich in culture, courage, and a surprisingly modern gender ideology, the women of the Viking age were in fact forces to be reckoned with, serving as: Sorceresses, Warriors, Traders, Artisans, Explorers, Settlers, Landowners, Power brokers, and Queens

      Both ambitious and compelling, THE NORTHWOMEN is the true story of some of the most captivating figures of the Viking world—and what they reveal about the modern age.

      My Review: Vikings were a brutal force to be reckoned with during the Middle Ages. They raided and pillaged cities across Europe, destroying everything in their wake. They also settled in Greenland and Iceland. However, this book questions what were the Viking women’s place in society. This book attempts to answer what a women’s role was. It shows that in certain circumstances, they could have assumed male roles. They could become queens, sorcerers, traders, voyagers, and even warriors.

      I have always been fascinated with the Vikings after watching a few Viking dramas, in particular Vikings and The Last Kingdom. I also have a passion for Norse mythology, and I love Wagner’s, The Ring Cycle. Therefore, I was curious to read a book about Viking women. The chapters that I liked most about these Viking women were where they were sorcerers. I found it fascinating that sometimes Vikings could use deceased women as oracles. I also liked the chapters on voyagers where some were adventurous and settled in Greenland and Iceland. I also like how women could become warriors in certain circumstances. I also liked how women could do trading business, including trading slaves, which I found was incredibly sad. The hardest and most heart-wrenching chapter to get through was the slaves. It was a very difficult subject matter, and I felt bad about what happened to the slaves. I also learned about some fascinating women like Princess Olga, Gundrid, and Freydis. Therefore, there was never a dull chapter in this book.

       Overall, this was a comprehensive and fascinating look at these Viking women. Even though it was a light and breezy read, it was very detailed and meticulously researched. Even though the book is short, it is clear that there is very little known information about these women. However, it is only just recently that these discoveries about these Viking women have just been unearthed. I’m sure that given research and studies, more facts about these women will be brought to light. I did not like how the author used her imagination and wrote historical fiction scenes in the introduction of each chapter. I thought it was best that the author stick simply to known facts and leave her imagination out of the book. Nevertheless, it was still a very illuminating and fascinating read! It fulfilled my craving about all things Viking! I recommend this book for fans of Hidden Lives of Viking Women, Women in the Viking Age, and The Real Valkyrie!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars