Like many of the Norse sagas, this epic of the heroic (and handsome) Gunnar Hamundarson and his scheming friend Njal is a tragedy shot through with black comedy. Originally written in Icelandic sometime in the 13th century AD, it's an earthy tale with a strong sense of place, featuring murder, mayhem, a famous feud, and noble deeds.  (ICL16, $16.00)