Fiction
W. W. Norton & Company
February 7, 2017
Audiobook
304

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.
WrensReads Review:
Has anyone else watched and loved the New Zealand fantasy comedy/drama television The Almighty Johnsons?
Well, you really should. Here’s the synopsis: The Almighty Johnsons is a new South Pacific Pictures comedy-drama series about four brothers, raised in heartland New Zealand, who also happen to be the living incarnations of Norse Gods. They even have their own super-god-powers. Sort of – it’s just that their powers aren’t actually all that powerful. Well, not yet – but that could all change soon….
It’s so funny. And has everything to do with Norse Mythology. I watched the show a few years ago on a recommendation and I absolutely loved it. Neil Gaiman’s retellings of a lot of the legends of the Norse gods has me all hyped up again about these beautiful stories.
Neil did nothing but HONOR the legends and myths of the Norse gods. We have Odin the chief divinity of the Norse pantheon, Thor god of thunder (that’s right, he isn’t just a Marvel Avenger), Loki the god of trickery (he makes a few appearances too), and many more gods and goddess (like Figg and Freya!).
If you like the tall tales that are mythological stories, then you will love that Neil Gaiman did. He did a lot of research for this and it paid off. He’s a great story teller, and he even reads the story phenomenally.
I am just in awe.
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