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 fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of a giant, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerge the 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.
Exciting and Flawless I grew up reading books full of folk and fairy tales, the Norse myths included, soaking them and their violence, their humor, their logic, their magic, into my soul. My major was inspired by folk lore and fairy tale, and part of my love for Neil Gaiman has always come from the way the structures of fairy tale weave through and warp in his works, and his incorporation of mythic figures from a full compendium of folk lore figures. Because of that, it was unlikely that I’d have any reaction…
a must get for any into Norse Mythology or Gaiman. Top flight! Best of the Norse myths, collected and rewritten from the original Eddas by that master of modern fantasy- Neil Gaiman. Written in a easy to read and non technical manner, this series of myths nearly reads like fantasy novel.Â
It is clear Gaiman has a great interest in the subject and he put a lot … I bought this book right when it released at midnight and being hard to put down, I read it completely through the night. It was a fairly quick read but very enjoyable. As I recently read my first novel by Gaiman, I was interested in his writing style and intrigued to hear he would be retelling Norse Mythology.Â