Book Review: When we were Vikings by Andrew David MacDonald

Zelda, the protagonist of the novel When we were Vikings, is a high-functioning 21-year-old woman born with fetal alcohol syndrome who has everything she needs to embark on an epic quest. She has her tribe, which includes her protective older brother Gert and his girlfriend Annie, whom Zelda affectionately calls AK47. Her psychiatrist Dr. Laird plays the role of a wise man who can advise her on her quest. And like every other hero, she also has the love of a “fair maiden,” her boyfriend Marxy. Zelda realizes that there is nothing wrong with fair maidens being men, or with brave warriors being women. 
She wants to prove that people are wrong to underestimate her power. In her own words, she declares, “For me, my legend was about showing people that I was not dumb or a shit-heel, that I could help the tribe and also show the world that people like me and Marxy could become powerful” (pg 158). She wants to show the world that she’s a Viking. 

One thing that helps Zelda function is sticking to some strict rules, such as the house rules that she made with Gert for the apartment. Everyone has to take their shoes off at the entrance, for example. And that’s non-negotiable. But when the villain of her legend enters her life, she realizes she’s going to have to get comfortable with not following rules in order to defeat him. Toucan is a drug dealer, and one who Gert owes a lot of money to. Readers will be fascinated by Zelda’s courage when it comes to protecting her loved ones. 

Edmonton-based author Andrew David MacDonald has written a stunning debut novel with a loveable protagonist. The story does not revolve around Zelda’s condition. Instead, It focuses on the important aspects of her life, such as her interests and her relationships with other people, the things that really make her unique. MacDonald crafted a character who readers can truly empathize with, laughing along with her when she is happy and crying when she’s sad. 

The doctors predicted Zelda would never be able to read, live independently, or or have normal social interactions with others. Dr. Laird, the wise man, tells her that some experts thought that all Viking warriors were male. But it turns out that one of the most famous Viking skeletons was actually a woman and that the experts were wrong. He tells Zelda that “sometimes the world thinks something is not possible, but it turns out that they can be wrong. Even fancy scientists can be wrong” (317). Zelda delights us by showing us that everyone who didn’t believe in her was wrong. She triumphs and becomes the hero of her legend. 

For fans of the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, this story is heart-touching. And its main character is unforgettable. Her unique way of seeing the world is celebrated as a gift.