Norse Mythology
by Neil Gaiman
Buy on AmazonNeil 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.…
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"It’s hard not to be familiar with Thor, Loki, Odin and the other characters of Nordic mythology who populate our operas, video games and TV shows. But I was a bit sketchy on the details despite my obsession with all things Icelandic. This is the book I’ve been waiting for. Let’s face it, the classic version of these tales – the Edda – is a bit impenetrable for many of us modern mortals. Gaiman’s take is a funny and accessible account of how these Norse deities succumb to greed and vanity, how they are blinded by their self-righteousness and entitlement, and how, time and time again, they persist through – yup, you guessed it – trickery and force. In the way of myths, these ancient stories speak enduring truths about our time."
NPR Books We Love — 2017 · apps.npr.org
Goodreads Choice Awards — 2017 · goodreads.com
"An obvious choice for me, but truly a staggeringly important book for anyone interested in the myths of the Vikings. I have studied all these texts in the original Old Norse, but Gaiman has done something superb with them: he was woven them into compelling narratives for a Marvel-book comic-loving generation, who can find fun, drama and excitement in these thousand year old stories. “A staggeringly important book for anyone interested in the myths of the Vikings” Neil is a personal friend and has been a huge support with the launch of Riddle of the Runes . We share a fascination with the imaginative world of the Vikings. My kids have also adored listening to this on audiobook – his voice is so calming, while the adventures are so wacky!"
The Best Viking History Books for Kids · fivebooks.com