Friday, May 12, 2017

#BookReview - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Title:  Norse Mythology
Author:  Neil Gaiman
Genre:  Folklore and Mythology
Release Date:  February 7, 2017

About the Book:

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.

Buy Links: Amazon 
My Review:

I heard good things about this book, so on a recent car trip I listened to the Audible version of Norse Mythology.  It was fabulous!  Absolutely delightful!  Neil Gaiman, himself, was the narrator and did an excellent job!  

In my youth I had a sprinkling of knowledge about Norse Mythology but never read any of the stories in detail.  This collection of myths about Odin, Thor, Loki and other gods and ancient creatures was told in fascinating tales that flowed from one to the next, starting with the creation of the worlds and ending with the end of times.  These stories held my interest so intently that I almost missed my exit off the expressway.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants Norse Mythology explained with wit and wonder in a remarkable collection of stories combined into one novel told by a storytelling genius - Neil Gaiman.

My Rating:

About the Author:


I make things up and write them down. Which takes us from comics (like SANDMAN) to novels (like ANANSI BOYS and AMERICAN GODS) to short stories (some are collected in SMOKE AND MIRRORS) and to occasionally movies (like Dave McKean's MIRRORMASK or the NEVERWHERE TV series, or my own short film A SHORT FILM ABOUT JOHN BOLTON).

In my spare time I read and sleep and eat and try to keep the blog at www.neilgaiman.com more or less up to date.

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