Hardcover, 299 pages
English language
Published Feb. 7, 2017 by W. W. Norton & Company.
Introducing an instant classic―master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales.
In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki―son of a giant―blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Once, when Thor’s hammer is stolen, Thor must disguise himself as a woman―difficult with his beard and huge appetite―to steal …
Introducing an instant classic―master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales.
In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki―son of a giant―blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Once, when Thor’s hammer is stolen, Thor must disguise himself as a woman―difficult with his beard and huge appetite―to steal it back. More poignant is the tale in which the blood of Kvasir―the most sagacious of gods―is turned into a mead that infuses drinkers with poetry. The work culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and rebirth of a new time and people.
Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerge these gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.
I read this book in almost one sitting, during a flight over Greenland and Iceland. It is a series of very enjoyable short stories that form chapters of a larger time frame, from the beginning to the end of time. The story-telling is remarkable. The characters are endearing and I was touched by their humanity, even though they are gods.
To put things into context, let me explain HOW I came to enjoy this book. I started from zero knowledge of Norse Mythology (though way too many hours of education in Greek/Roman mythology as a teenager). I downloaded the e-book version, read by the author, as a single mp3 - running time: 6 hours. And seeing that my mp3 player is old and makes the process of rewinding and forwarding a track a real pain, I just listened on and on and on. For three days, my commutes and lunch breaks were animated by tales of all-too-human gods tricking and slaying each other. By the end, it all felt a bit surreal, characters were melting into each others, giant wolves visiting my brain even when the mp3 was off. ...and yet: it is a great book. The myths are easy to follow, even if they are all intertwined and linked …
To put things into context, let me explain HOW I came to enjoy this book. I started from zero knowledge of Norse Mythology (though way too many hours of education in Greek/Roman mythology as a teenager). I downloaded the e-book version, read by the author, as a single mp3 - running time: 6 hours. And seeing that my mp3 player is old and makes the process of rewinding and forwarding a track a real pain, I just listened on and on and on. For three days, my commutes and lunch breaks were animated by tales of all-too-human gods tricking and slaying each other. By the end, it all felt a bit surreal, characters were melting into each others, giant wolves visiting my brain even when the mp3 was off. ...and yet: it is a great book. The myths are easy to follow, even if they are all intertwined and linked to one another. And Gaiman's voice is so soothing, you could listen to it for hours on end. Six, to be precise.
