Grettir the Strong

The legendary Grettir was the strongest man in Iceland, cursed with misfortune but determined to make his own destiny

In Iceland’s history, many men stand out for their courage and talent, but one man stands taller than the rest.
 
When young Grettir is outlawed from Iceland after killing a man in self-defense, he makes a name for himself in Norway for his heroic deeds. But he goes one step too far, and in trying to rid a town from an evil spirit terrorizing the land, he is cursed to wander alone as an outlaw for the rest of his days. At first Grettir scoffs at the curse, but it soon becomes clear that no matter where he goes, misfortune follows him by day and the spirit’s eyes follow him by night.
 
Grettir is determined to rise above his fate, and stories of his strength still spread across the land. This is the tale of the rise and fall of the strongest, bravest, and unluckiest man in Iceland.

“A firm, concise retelling of the Icelandic saga.” —Kirkus Reviews

Born in New York City, Robert Newman (1909–1988) was among the pioneers of early radio and was chief writer for the Inner Sanctum Mysteries and Murder at Midnight—forerunners of The Twilight Zone that remain cult favorites to this day. In 1944 Newman was put in charge of the radio campaign to reelect Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was also one of the founding members of the Radio Writers Guild, which became the Writers Guild of America.

In 1973 Newman began writing books for children, most notably the Andrew Tillet, Sara Wiggins & Inspector Wyatt mysteries. The series takes place in Victorian London and follows the adventures of two teenage amateur detectives who begin as Baker Street Irregulars. Newman has also written books of fantasy, among them Merlin’s Mistake and The Testing of Tertius. His books based on myths and folklore include Grettirthe Strong, and he has published two adult novels.

Newman was married to the writer Dorothy Crayder. Their daughter, Hila Feil, has also published novels for children and young adults. Newman lived his last days in Stonington, Connecticut.