Five years of research into this novel based on the way life was in ninth century Norway.

When you pick up a copy of Pauline Kulseth’s first novel, FORGIVEN, which was released in March, you’ll find the author listed as "P M Kulseth."

There’s a reason it’s "P M" and not "Pauline."

"I didn’t want to necessarily identify myself as female, because a lot of times when you see a woman author, the men think ‘I didn’t want just a woman’s book,’" Pauline says.

And Forgiven: A Story of a Discarded Infant in Ninth Century Norway is far from "just a woman’s book." It is a violent depiction of Viking Age life in ninth century Norway, but with an uplifting, redemptive conclusion.

In fact, Kulseth goes so far as to put a "reader discretion" warning on the book.

"It’s not for kids," Pauline says. "Anybody under 14 or 15 years old shouldn’t read it. It probably will give you nightmares. The characters really go through hard times because that was their way of life.

"A lot of the death and violence was true; it was part of history."

Nevertheless, the book, published by Philadelphia, Pa.-based Xlibris, weaves fact with fiction in a historical account of an unwanted and unloved infant named Eyja.

She is rescued and raised by a reclusive mountain woman, but is later raped by Arni, who eventually takes away Eyja’s child. All along the way, the story describes life as it really was when Viking Age Norwegians worshipped Nordic gods before converting to Christianity.

"I enjoyed this a lot and I actually mourned and had difficulty writing some things because these characters were real to me," says Kulseth, a lifelong Windom resident who graduated from Windom High School in 1963.

"But I enjoyed this because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and it happened to be the perfect time and place. God’s timing was perfect."

But why the title Forgiven?

"Eyja had to forgive Arni --- not for him, but for herself," Kulseth explains. "Therefore, the book really is a story of conversion and forgiveness, the restoration of broken spirits and the discovery of a most unexpected love."

So, for what type of reader is the book written?
Anyone who enjoys adventure and history will enjoy this novel in which complex characters tell the stories of their lives in ninth century Norway.

"Once I started Forgiven, I couldn’t put it down," says Rick Frederickson of Windom. "What a wonderful book! Pauline is a masterful storyteller who obviously researched her work thoroughly.

"It was fascinating to read about the brutality and humanity of my Norse ancestors. The story of the Christian conversion of Eyja, Arni and other characters was heartwarming and compelling."

And it was Kulseth’s Norwegian heritage that fueled her desire to research her ancestors’ past. She spent nearly five years researching Norwegian life and history on the Internet while writing the book. It was a project that delightfully consumed her time.

"I think in every person’s life there comes a time where circumstances allow you to do something you’ve always wanted to do," Kulseth explains. "I used to live here with mom, dad and Judy. After they had gone, I found myself living alone and in the back of my mind, I had always admired authors and I thought, ‘I’d really, really like to write a novel.’ I’ve always loved books and I’ve read a lot.

"I just wanted to try to do a story that people would like to read."
The setting and plot for the book emerged from Kulseth’s curiosity about her forefathers. She wondered how these vicious and cruel Vikings she read about became the kind and generous Norwegians she had always known.

Her research revealed a Christian conversion was the answer. They went from believing in Norse gods to believing in the One True God. And as strong as their faith was in the Norse gods, their faith became equally as strong in God.

And that conversion is revealed over a three-generation time frame during the ninth century.

She admits she didn’t want to write a novel about such an early period in time, but she wanted a typical Mal valley setting that hadn’t yet been taken over by kings.

Such historical facts, or footnotes, are included in the book and are one of the unique features of it. As readers read the story, the footnotes connect to real history.

"If you’re interested in (the real history) you can read it, if not, the story flows. I don’t have to explain the history within the story," Kulseth says.

Readers also will find other additions that are not typically part of a novel --- recipes, actual Old Norse names, maps of actual Viking trading routes and Bible verses.

The recipes sprinkled throughout the book are actual period recipes that Kulseth says are based on known cooking traditions and ingredients known to be available at that time. She says readers can skip the recipes, but those who are interested will be able to tie in the types of foods ninth century Norse ate.

The names are from the Old Norse, or pre-Christian era of Norwegian history, while the Viking trading route maps offer readers some idea of where and why Vikings traveled.

And then there are the Bible verses that start each chapter.

"God was in control of this whole thing," Kulseth says. "I can really say that, because I am my worst critic. I can never say anything that I do is good. But this --- when I was writing it --- I said to Renee (Giefer, Pauline’s niece), ‘This is really good.’
"But I could say that because it wasn’t me. I was typing it as I was being told it."
Indeed, the entire project has been a blessing to Kulseth and she says the book wrote itself.
"The characters told the story. There were a lot of things that happened that I would go to bed and think, ‘I wonder what’s going to happen tomorrow,’" she says. "I had a route, a pattern and an idea, but when I started letting them tell the story, they became alive and they took me places I hadn’t planned."
Interestingly, Kulseth says her character, Eyja, has not told Pauline the whole story and that’s why Kulseth has already begun work on a sequel about Eyja’s daughter and son.
Oh, and the title of her second novel?
"REDEEMED."
To purchase Forgiven, or for more information on the book and the author, visit Kulseth’s website at www.forgivenastory.com.

Author has a story, too
By Dave Fjeld, Reporter  davef@windomnews.com