Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever wanted a crash course in Norse legends without slogging through ancient sagas, this is your book! Neil Gaiman brings Odin, Thor, Loki, and the rest of the gang to life with wit and personality, making the myths feel fresh and fun. It’s accessible for mythology newbies but still a treat for old fans. The stories are short and punchy - which makes them perfect for sharing or picking up during a busy week. Great for fans of witty retellings, anyone dipping their toes into mythology, or those who enjoy Gaiman’s signature storytelling flair.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the stories too straightforward, wishing for more of Gaiman’s own twist or deeper character exploration. If you already know your Norse myths inside and out, this might feel more like a basic recap than a revelatory retelling. People looking for in-depth analysis or historical context might be disappointed - Gaiman sticks to storytelling over scholarship. Also, the modern language and sometimes repeated explanations can feel a bit simplistic or ‘hand-holdy’ for advanced readers.
About:
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman is a captivating retelling of traditional Norse myths, showcasing the exploits of gods like Odin, Thor, and Loki. The book features a series of engaging stories, each brimming with adventure, humor, and the subtle flaws of its characters. Gaiman's writing style is lyrical and contemporary, making complex tales accessible and enjoyable, while preserving the essence of the original myths. The narrative flows seamlessly, drawing the reader into the chaotic and often ridiculous world of Norse deities and their interactions with giants, trolls, and other mystical beings.
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From The Publisher:
THE NO. 1 SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE CO-AUTHOR OF GOOD OMENS, NOW A MAJOR AMAZON PRIME SERIES
'With the deftest of touches, the characters are once again brought to life' JOANNE HARRIS
'The halls of Valhalla have been crying out for Gaiman to tell their stories' OBSERVER
The great Norse myths, which have inspired so much of modern fiction, are dazzlingly retold by Neil Gaiman. Tales of dwarfs and frost giants, of treasure and magic, and of Asgard, home to the gods: Odin the all-father, highest and oldest of the Aesir; his mighty son Thor, whose hammer Mjollnir makes the mountain giants tremble; Loki, wily and handsome, reliably unreliable in his lusts; and Freya, more beautiful than the sun or the moon, who spurns those who seek to control her.
From the dawn of the world to the twilight of the gods, this is a thrilling, vivid retelling of the Norse myths from the award-winning, bestselling Neil Gaiman.
*This book has been printed with two different cover designs. We are unable to accept requests for a specific cover. The different covers will be assigned to orders at random*
Ratings (212)
Incredible (34) | |
Loved It (80) | |
Liked It (66) | |
It Was OK (30) | |
Did Not Like (2) |
Reader Stats (436):
Read It (227) | |
Currently Reading (4) | |
Want To Read (127) | |
Did Not Finish (9) | |
Not Interested (69) |
8 comment(s)
Entertaining stories, some more than others. Repetitions of terms and names seemed tedious at first but then I realised that as someone who is not well versed in Norse mythology, it guides me through the characters and locations better.
Side note: my favorite story is Thor's journey to the land of the giants
This was a great telling of Norse Mythology. It was engaging and once you picked it up it was hard to put down. My favorite of the stories came early in the book, who doesn't like gods crossdressing? Loki is a complex character and is both likable and unlikable.
An entertaining read covering the beginning of time as well as stories of Norse gods including Odin, Thor and Loki among others. Out of the 16 stories presented, my favorite was "Freya's unusual wedding" which is a fun story involving giants, Thor and trickery. Although I read about Norse gods before, Gaiman breathes new life into these myths and invites the reader into a world full of unimaginable feats of strength as well as a world of unspeakable sorry. This is a great book for those who love mythology as well as fans of Neil Gaiman.
I love books about mythology
seems like it was a money maker for gaiman
i almost dnf'ed this when it really just looked like a primer for stories on norse mythology
but then gaiman slipped in a bit of his wit, a twist of wry humor, a melancholy foreshadowing
so i finished it since it's only a couple hundred pages
not a great book, but it has gaiman's touch as well as his name to make it a big seller
****3.0****
I kind of have mixed feelings for this book. Though I liked it I was a bit disappointed and for strangely unknown reasons. But as the days pass, I think I was expecting more of "Mighty Thor" stories and found "The Mighty Thor" was sometimes stupid, uncertain, show-off.
Gaiman's interpretation of Norse Myths are really great when told in his way, the colors change, the air has a different aura. Then I have not read Norse Myths in any form so Gaiman's Norse Mythology is like my Bible (For Now).
I liked many stories in the book ,"Freya's Unusual Wedding", "Hymir and Thor's Fishing Expedition", "The Treasure of the Gods" and "The master Builder" were my favorites.
When I was expecting something from Thor , It was Loki that I enjoyed the most. Loki, the cunning, whom I went on reading in almost all the stories and laughed out loud.
Of course it was Loki. It's always Loki.”
“That was the thing about Loki. You resented him even when you were at your most grateful, and you were grateful to him even when you hated him the most.”
“Loki was not evil, although he was certainly not a force for good. Loki was . . . complicated.”
See, I really love Loki!
No comments of Gaiman's narration which was electric as ever.
Happy Reading!!
A nice anthology about Norse mythology. Neil does a good job of capturing the readers attention in these short stories. As always Loki is still the best character
These small stories are easy to read and entertaining. I also learned that most of the gods are assholes (Tyr is pretty cool though).
What can you read after
Norse Mythology?
About the Author:
Neil Gaiman is the creator of The Sandman comic book series and the bestselling author of the novels Neverwhere (1995), Stardust (1999), the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning American Gods (2001), Coraline (2002), Anansi Boys (2005), The Ocean at the End of the Lane (2013), Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett, 1990) and a retelling of the Norse myths: Norse Mythology (2017). His short story collections include Smoke and Mirrors (1998) and Fragile Things (2006). His screenwriting credits include the original BBC TV series of Neverwhere (1996), Dave McKean's first feature film, Mirrormask (2005), two Doctor Who episodes, and Good Omens (2019).
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