2007 Volund Smed fra Store Skauby (Bjørn Fougner)

Smith of Wootton Major

Release Date: 2003.09.13
Reader: Bjørn Fougner
Language: Norwegian
Translator: Johannes H. Berg jr
Organisation: © 2007 Lydbokforlaget
ISBN: 9788242120090
Duration: 1 hours 11 minutes
Unabridged: Yes
Country: Norway
Licenced: Yes
Formats: CD, Digital

Bjørn Fougner (1939–2009) was a well-known Norwegian actor and voice artist, he managed a dual career that transitioned from the professional stage to a long-standing service as a nurse, all while maintaining a prolific presence as an audiobook narrator. Sadly, he passed away only two years after this release.

The production is in Norsk Bokmål, the standard written and spoken variety for most Norwegian media using the translation by Johannes H. Berg jr. He translated the title as Volund Smed fra Store Skauby. “Volund” is a deliberate choice, referencing the mythological master smith Wayland (Völundr) of Germanic and Norse legend, which provides a deep cultural resonance for Norwegian listeners that “Smith” alone might lack.

Johannes H. Berg Jr. (1956–2004) was a Norwegian science fiction and fantasy enthusiast, club organiser, and translator who played a foundational role in popularizing role-playing games and speculative fiction in Norway.

He has translated Tree and Leaf (containing Leaf by Niggle and On Fairy-Stories) and Smith of Wootton Major into Norwegian. He also served as a consultant for the Norwegian subtitling of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

He also translated the original Dungeons & Dragons basic set (the red and blue books) into Norwegian, launching the role-playing game community in the country.