Book Review

Norse Mythology

by Chaz

Goodreads – Norse Mythology

Author – Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman, long inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction, presents a bravura rendition of the Norse gods and their world from their origin though their upheaval in Ragnarok. 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. – Goodreads Synopsis 

Mythology has always captivated me for as long as I can remember. I mean it makes sense right? Fantasy and mythology go hand in hand. Grandpa Tolkien has said that he was inspired by these same stories that Neil Gaiman has masterfully covered in his take on Norse Mythology. (Who better to captivate you than Neil Gaiman himself?!) Mythology has been inspiring authors for quite some time now, and had helped born my favorite genre of books. (paranormal fetish erotica)

If you have read The Prose Edda, you already know the stories that are going to be in this IMG_20180625_181754_618collection, but somehow, Neil Gaiman is just able to make it flow better. The man is a master story-teller, and you can tell he really loves his craft. He is also a great orator! I really just wish Neil Gaiman could read me a book to sleep every night. (Just kidding…but not really…) If you have not heard him before, go check out the Norse Mythology audiobook, or look up some of his speeches. (Those are quite good as well.)

The stories themselves are just so wholesome that you can not help but smile when you are reading through them. You can just picture how these were originally told around a campfire to a captivated audience. There are morals to learn and good times to be had by reading through each of the Norse tales. Everyone knows Thor and Loki’s relationship together, which only proves how magical these stories are. They have stood the test of time already.  That is also the reason why Thanos Thor is my favorite Avenger! (If you follow me on any social media you probably know that I have a somewhat creepy questionable attachment to Thanos…)

The magic of mythology never goes away. That magic has seeped into some of sigurd3my favorite forms of art. Obviously it helped spawn Fantasy novels, but there is also music, video-games, and beautiful works of art. It’s easy to see how the Norse tales can inspire such beautiful representations, and it is easy to see how beautiful these representations are. For years I have been telling myself if I ever get a tattoo, it is going to be mythology based, with all of the gods from every pantheon fighting it out in my own version of Ragnarok. (And hopefully look something like this.)

If you like mythology at all, or are just interested in just reading some good stories, you need to check out Norse Mythology. Neil Gaiman has really done something quite special with his adaption.

(Also check out this speech that he gave)

life of chaz

 

 

 

76 thoughts on “Norse Mythology”

  5. On my TBR – looking forward to it 🙂 “I really just wish Neil Gaiman could read me a book to sleep every night. (Just kidding…but not really…)” – you could download his interviews etc. to listen to before bed but pretty sure he only reads bedtime stories to his adorable littlest one.

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  12. I loved this book. I only have a shallow knowledge of Norse mythology but after reading this, I did my researched. It’s so much more than just Thor and Odin and Loki.

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  15. sooooo. any Paranormal Fetish Erotica recommendations? That sounds fun. I would like to read some of that. Neil Gaiman is awesome though too of course lol 🙂

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  18. I love this book so hard. I have it and the book Make Mead Like a Viking and it’s made my home brewing adventures so much more amusing.

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  20. I’ve always been a fan of Neil Gaiman – ever since I read American Gods and I make it a point to read something of his at least once a year. I’ll have to see if my local library has this book. Thanks!

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    1. Definitely agree. Your passion for mythology is exciting. Especially the line where you said it “makes sense”.

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  29. I can’t believe I haven’t read this one yet. Neil Gaiman is one of my favourite authors, and yet this one keeps getting shoved to the wayside… I’m glad I have another great review to add to my reasons I should push it up the list, though! 🍻👍

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  33. Great post! Gaiman is one of my favorites. Since we were given just a smidgen of Norse myths in our Mythology course (undergrad level), maybe Gaiman’s book would fill in the gaps and what I missed out on. Thanks for putting that thought in my head.

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  35. Hi, would you like to review an epic historical fiction dramatizing the life of Charlie Savage? Book starts in Sweden and ends in Fiji. CS died 6.9.1813. I am independently publishing a paperback shortly. Book is 662 pages long and requires the reader to appreciate thought and also be able to deal with man’s and culture’s violence. You can contact me at my blog leeawrites.wordpress.com (I have seen your face there occasionally).Tried to get your contact details here, but could not. Thanks

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  40. Chaz- I have been thinking about purchasing this book but didn’t know anyone who has read it. Your review has given me the nudge that I needed. Great review. Also there is a book copy of the Neil Gaiman commencement speech. I have used it for teaching creativity classes. -Jill

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  49. Nice review Chaz, I listened to Norse Mythology on Audible this year and really enjoyed it. Have listened to this makes the Thor and Marvel movies a little more interesting.

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