Mary Thaler’s novel in verse, Ulfhildr, is an epic tale of vengeance, greed, violence, and betrayal, but also of courage, friendship, and trust. On a quest to avenge her spouse Thorstein, the fictional queen Ulfhildr is confronted with a series of moral and existential challenges forcing her to negotiate her roles as leader, warrior, woman, and partner with her responsibilities towards her community. Over the course of three chapters, poignantly illustrated by Niv Sekar, the short volume builds up to its moving conclusion by adding layer after layer to the queen’s tragic conflicts with her own companions and subjects.
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Ulfhildr
Mary Thaler
Illustrated by Niv Sekar
Untimely Books
$13.99
paper
60pp
9781961334038
There is more than one way to manage your life.
Some build a wall when a storm-tide rises;
I made myself a boat, going to meet the greater risk
Thus, Thaler’s adaptation of Old English conventions and themes culminates in a compelling work of poetic narration that feels refreshing not despite, but because of, its ambitious return to medieval form.mRb
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