Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
“Of course it was Loki. It's always Loki.”
Author
Neil Gaiman
Publisher
Bloomsbury
Genre
Fantasy/Folk Tales/Mythology
Pages
261
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Summary
The book contains 16 tales from the Norse Myths starting from the beginning of times till the end of the world (Ragnarok) inspired by an old anonymous Norse poetry book called the Prose Edda. The primary characters are Odin, The All-Father, Thor, son of Odin, and Loki, blood brother to Odin.
My Review
A lot of modern fiction has been inspired by these great tales. And it is entertaining and absorbing to read the original stories.
The stories reminded me of stories from Indian mythology, of the various gods and goddesses who slay demons, or stories from the epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana that are equally if not more fascinating and mesmerizing. I grew up on them.
So it was surprising for me to learn that in other parts of the world such fantasy stories with magical beings, fair maidens, imaginary lands, and poisonous serpents that circle the earth do exist. Stories of strength, and valor, and murder and betrayal.
The stories are short and very easy to read and I think even a 12-year-old will easily read them. At the end of it, all the characters with their relations have been listed, which makes the most complicated part of the book very simple.
Final Verdict
I only wished there was a map of that world or something that resembles one, that would have made the book simply perfect. Nevertheless an entertaining read.
Who Should Read This
Mythology fans will not be disappointed.
Neil Gaiman
is the author of the best-selling National Book Awards 2013 book of the Year the ocean at the end of the line and the Carnegie Mellon medal winning the graveyard book as well as Caroline neverwhere the essay collection the view from the cheap seats and the Sandman series of graphic novels Among many other works. Originally from England Neil now divides his time between the UK and the US where is professor in the arts at the Bard college. He has four children and three grandchildren. His fiction has received many awards.
- Top Quotes from Norse Mythology -
“Because,” said Thor, “when something goes wrong, the first thing I always think is, it is Loki’s fault. It saves a lot of time.”
“He said nothing: seldom do those who are silent make mistakes.”
“The Norse myths are the myths of a chilly place, with long, long winter nights and endless summer days, myths of a people who did not entirely trust or even like their gods, although they respected and feared them.”
“Loki was not evil, although he was certainly not a force for good. Loki was . . . complicated.”
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