When We Were Vikings

By Andrew David MacDonald

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A heart-swelling debut for fans of The Silver Linings Playbook and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

Sometimes life isn’t as simple as heroes and villains.

For Zelda, a twenty-one-year-old Viking enthusiast who lives with her older brother, Gert, life is best lived with some basic rules:

1. A smile means “thank you for doing something small that I liked.”
2. Fist bumps and dabs = respect.
3. Strange people are not appreciated in her home.
4. Tomatoes must go in the middle of the sandwich and not get the bread wet.
5. Sometimes the most important things don’t fit on lists.

But when Zelda finds out that Gert has resorted to some questionable—and dangerous—methods to make enough money to keep them afloat, Zelda decides to launch her own quest. Her mission: to be legendary. It isn’t long before Zelda finds herself in a battle that tests the reach of her heroism, her love for her brother, and the depth of her Viking strength.

When We Were Vikings is an uplifting debut about an unlikely heroine whose journey will leave you wanting to embark on a quest of your own, because after all...

We are all legends of our own making.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Release date: Feb 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781982152642

Andrew David MacDonald

Andrew David MacDonald grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He won a Western Magazine Award for Fiction, was shortlisted for the Canadian National Magazine Award for Fiction, and his work has been anthologized in four volumes of The Journey Prize Stories, collecting the year’s best Canadian stories from emerging writers. He has an MFA from the Program for Poets and Writers at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.  

Reviews for When We Were Vikings

[castlelass · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Zelda, a young woman born with fetal alcohol syndrome, lives with her older brother, Gert. They were previously living with an abusive uncle, but to get away, Gert borrows money from a shady character – not his best idea. Zelda is a fan of Vikings. She knows she is different and wants to create her own legend, just as a Viking would aspire to do. She makes a checklist to accomplish her goal.

The novel is written in first person from Zelda’s perspective. The language is direct, as if Zelda is talking to the reader. The primary theme is enabling people to self-actualize as much as their abilities permit. The author gets a bit carried away with the f-bombs. Near the end it turns into a thriller, which is not my taste, but I liked Zelda and felt a sense of compassion for her and her friends.

[phoenixcomet · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Zelda MacLeish is a 21 year old living with her brother, Gert. Zelda's brain does not operate the same way other people's do as she is a product of fetal alcohol syndrome. Zelda loves Vikings and sets out to make her own legend as an adult while confronting the brother that she loves and who is making a mess out of his own life.

[forsanolim · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Similar in concept to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this book is told in first person from the perspective of Zelda, a high-functioning young adult with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Zelda lives with her brother, Gert, and the book explores her coming of age and reckoning with the life circumstances in which the two find themselves. I've been struggling a little thinking about how to rate this book. I thought that the book was an interesting look into Zelda's world, and I think that it definitely raised some thoughts on topics like the spectrum of disability and sexuality. At the same time, though, I didn't connect with it as much as I might have hoped. Also, be aware that there is generally a LOT of profanity and a fair bit of violence throughout the book.

[janismack · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Charming book about a girl living with her brother. She has fetal alcohol syndrome but her brother does not. This is a coming of age story revolving around her and her brother Gert. They have had a difficult life with abuse and adiction.

[chasidar_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Great heroine.

[twink_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was intrigued by the publisher's description of Andrew David MacDonald's debut novel, When We Were Vikings."A heart-swelling debut for fans of The Silver Linings Playbook and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." And yes, that descriptor is spot on!Twenty one year old Zelda is a Viking enthusiast. She also has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. She is high functioning, but her view of the world is seen through a different set of eyes. Zelda lives with her brother Gert. They've agreed to a set of rules that is posted in their apartment. But, money is tight and when Zelda suspects that Gert is operating outside the rules, she sets herself a quest."...Zelda finds herself in a battle that tests the reach of her heroism, her love for her brother, and the depth of her Viking strength."Oh, where to start? Zelda is such a wonderfully drawn lead character. The reader can't help but be on her side, urging her forward, fearing for her safety and discovering what we might take for granted, as she also navigates her own coming of age. The supporting cast is just as wonderful - her brother's girlfriend AK47 is a calming influence, her therapist is the voice of reason, her boyfriend Marxy and the rest of the gang at the community center are inclusive and without guile. Gert is a complex character and I appreciate his struggles as he tries so hard to raise himself and Zelda. The 'villains'? Yes, you will love to hate them.I love that MacDonald kept things 'real' with Zelda. She sees Viking lore and values as a guide for living, but she's still a young woman exploring her sexuality, the meaning of love, the responsibility of family, finding a place for herself and so much more.When We Were Vikings was an unexpected, captivating, heart string tugging (and nail biting in some spots!) tale. I can't wait to read what MacDonald writes next.I chose to listen to When Were Vikings. The reader was Phoebe Strole. Her voice was perfect for Zelda. She has a younger tone of voice and it absolutely matched the mental image I had created for Zelda. She also captures Zelda's personality and outlook with her intonation, speed, volume and emphasis. Voices used for the rest of the cast were just as well done. Strole speaks clearly and is very easy to understand. I've said it before and I'll say it again - listening to a book immerses me in the story. And in the case of When We Were Vikings, I know that I enjoyed listening to Zelda's story so much more than I would have by reading. (But either way, you're going to love it!)And remember - "We are all legends of our own making." Absolutely recommended.

[ayoshina-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you haven't already picked this gem up, the novel is centre around Zelda, a high functioning young adult diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The heroic heroine is a viking enthusiast and uses "Kepple's Guide to the Vikings", a book Zelda reads obsessively as a handbook to her everyday life. The smooth and easy read told in Zelda's perspective is a phenomenal coming-to-age story filled with love, legends, and self-discovery. It was a pull at the heartstrings type of story that further enthralled the reader with the out of ordinary characters, storyline, and content.

[jennynau10 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a story about Gert and Zelda, brother and sister orphaned at a young age, shifted to a not so great Uncle Richard, and how they navigate the world.
Twenty-one year old Zelda has fetal alcohol syndrome and lives her life by what she feels are the rules of the Vikings. Zelda is on an epic quest to be a modern-day Viking warrior. Her journey includes building a "tribe," and experiencing new adventures (a new job at a library).
Gert has his issues with drugs and alcohol addiction. Although he tries to do the right thing, it takes Gert and Zelda together to get out from under some trouble with a drug dealer.
Most of the reviews I've read paint Gert as being Zelda's caretaker when I see it more as they are both damaged by their upbringing and are equals. I loved that in Zelda's mind, she is a warrior and that she brings those ideals to her modern life. She is the quirky heroine I've wanted to read about for a long time.
PSA: I wouldn't hand this one off to anyone under the age of fifteen, as the story contains a lot of graphic language and adult situations.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a very hard book to review - it is staying with me and won’t shrink into the background. This one made me think long and hard and then reflect on everything I thought I understood to realize I understand nothing. For those of us on the spectrum that is considered “normal” we rarely reflect on what it would be like to be considered “different”, “challenged” “high functioning”. It would behoove all of us to take a step back and change our perspective and try to understand the difficulties that the protagonist, Zelda attempts to overcome. She wants to be brave, strong so that people have to think twice before trying to hurt her and she wants to be able to stand up for people who can’t defend themselves.This is such a clever story on so many levels. The whole concept of using The Vikings and their tenets is brilliant and serves perfectly allowing the reader to embrace Zelda and what she says and does. The heartbreak of this story bleeds through when you examine what Zelda’s brother forces himself to sacrifice to protect the sister he adores. All the while I was screaming “What about social services and assistance for people in this situation?” “Why does life have to be so unfair? How can people be so mean and uncaring?” Where is the help? How do you help? If you never thought about being more conscious, more kind, more compassionate this book will hold your feet to the fire. In Zelda’s words; “Deeds and actions are what will make a person great and legendary.”Thank you NetGalley andGallery, Pocket Books for a copy.

[sjgirl-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

These characters, especially Zelda, though really everyone in her tribe, they took such a hold on my heart and I kind of feel like they always will. Zelda, twenty-one and on the fetal alcohol syndrome spectrum, lives with her older brother Gert, her days are made up of spending time with her brother’s ex (AK47, one of my favorite characters), sessions with a therapist, and visits to a community center where she learns to do everyday things like her signature and banking and she plays basketball with friends (including boyfriend Marxy) who also face challenges to varying degrees. More than anything, Zelda wants to be a legend like the viking heroes from her favorite book. After Gert lands them in a dangerous situation, and Zelda, inadvertently, innocently, longingly, gets them in even deeper, for better or worse, she believes its time for her to prove her viking mettle and defeat the villain on her own. This book, Zelda, they take the reader on an emotional, occasionally teary ride, sometimes you’re cringing, terrified over what’s going to happen to Zelda and her tribe and at other times, her journey is inspired and exhilarating, exploring her sexuality and her independence, and showing how deeply she loves and is loved. I received this ARC through a Goodreads giveaway.

[carmenere_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an incredible debut from author, Andrew David MacDonald! Told in the voice of his 21 year old, special needs, Viking obsessed protagonist, Zelda, the reader is taken into a modern day Viking Saga where Zelda strives to uphold the Viking standards to become a skjaldmaer, a woman warrior, a legend. Up to this point, in the absence of parents, Gert, Zelda's brother and care-giver, has aimed to provide and protect his sister and surround her with a watchful "tribe". When, Gert finds some unseemly ways to pay the rent, Zelda springs into action and roles are reversed. This is not a book to take lightly. It is a coming of age novel different from what you may have read. Adult issues come into play especially the difficulties special needs adults face in trying to come to terms with their emotions and sexuality.I highly recommend this wonderful, very readable and heart warming novel and I look forward to reading more of MacDonald in the future.Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the Advanced Copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[limelite_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

On the heels of the now defunct (thank goodness) plethora of vampire fiction, "disability fiction" has now taken over. Many authors have tapped into the public's thirst for stories about high functioning people on the Asperger's spectrum. MacDonald veers away from that into the spectrum of FAS in telling the story of twenty-one year-old Zelda who is determined to write her on legend, modeling the Viking women warriors.In contrast to Asperger novels, protagonists who are FAS patients do not have "abnormal" abilities that signal a happy ending in fiction. Nor do they have that extraordinary differentness of Asperger protagonists so intriguing to readers who function "normally." In truth, FAS afflicted lack the romantic exotic quirkiness of the bright Asperger fiction heroes. MacDonald's tone, while relieved by occasional natural and charming humor, leaves no doubt that this is a dark novel, foretelling danger that the heroine, her brother, and his girlfriend will have to confront and overcome.All the main characters are sympathetic in spite of their weaknesses and failings; they are realistic and distinct personalities who make up nearly equal weight in the novel. Their struggles to be the warriors in their own legends make the reader root for them. However, MacDonald doesn't seem to like writing about true villains as much as he does like writing about truly heroic strugglers. His novel emphasizes the values of courage, persistence, and the duty of individuals to fulfill their potential, the qualities that enrich contemporary fiction all too rarely. I found this to be a thought provoking read but a rather rosy depiction of fetal alcohol syndrome, which in my experience, is much more devastating to those afflicted than it ever was to Zelda. But don't let that critical reaction keep you from reading an inspiring and satisfying novel about three people who are easy to love and respect. This is that book.Disclosure: I received this arc from Net Galley for an honest review. Pub date: 28 Jan 2020

[mcelhra · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Zelda has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, which has left her with some cognitive issues that affect her outlook on life. She’s obsessed with Vikings and desperately wants to be a Viking herself. She lives with her older brother Gert, who is also her caretaker. He’s extremely protective of her – to a fault. During the day, she goes to a community center for people with intellectual disabilities and even has a boyfriend named Marxy who goes there too.I love Zelda. She’s earnest, kind and even though she’s intellectually challenged, she can be very insightful. She can also be unintentionally funny but MacDonald writes her in a way that never makes fun of her. The Viking code she lives by could be useful for everyone. When her brother Gert gets into trouble, Zelda vows to help him. Gert is in over his head trying to take care of Zelda now that’s she’s an adult. His intentions are good but he doesn’t always makes the best choices regarding Zelda or his life in general. In addition to Gert, Zelda has a wonderful “tribe” of people that support her emotionally, including Gert’s on-again, off-again girlfriend and the people that work at the center. They are fabulous supporting characters.I loved this book. I read it in one afternoon which is rare for me. There are some tense moments when Zelda is trying to secretly help Gert in his dealings with some extremely unsavory people. My stomach was in knots as a furiously read to see if Gert and Zelda were going to have a happy ending. Surprisingly, When We Were Vikings is MacDonald’s debut novel. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. Highly recommended.

[shazjhb · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked the book. FAS well explained. Loved being the hero in your own life. Unpredictable ending