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Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology

Literary FictionMythology
Pages
280
Published
2017
Language
English

Synopsis

Neil Gaiman retells the great myths of the Norse gods, drawing them from the fragmentary medieval sources into a single, sweeping narrative that runs from the creation of the nine worlds to their fiery destruction. Along the way he gives full, vivid life to the familiar figures of the pantheon: all-seeing, one-eyed Odin; mighty, hammer-wielding Thor, quick to anger and slow to think; and above all Loki, the beautiful, treacherous trickster whose schemes drive so much of the drama and doom.

Gathering tales of the gods' feasts and quarrels, their bargains with giants and dwarfs, the forging of Thor's hammer, the binding of the wolf Fenrir, and the long shadow of Ragnarök, Gaiman renders each with wit, warmth, and a storyteller's ear. He is faithful to the old sources while making the gods feel immediate, funny, and heartbreakingly mortal.

Norse Mythology is a modern retelling of ancient legend by one of contemporary fantasy's great mythmakers. Accessible and richly entertaining, it works as an introduction to the Norse gods and as a pleasure for readers who already know them.

Prose complexity
1/10

Vibe

AdventurousWhimsicalAtmosphericDarkFunny

Genres

Literary Fiction Mythology Folklore Fantasy

About the author

N
Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman (born 10 November 1960 in Portchester, Hampshire) is an English writer of novels, short fiction, comics, screenplays and audio drama. He worked as a journalist before moving into comics, where his DC series The Sandman, begun in 1989, recast the title character as Morpheus, lord of dreams, and became one of the most acclaimed comics of its era. His novels include Good Omens, written with Terry Pratchett, as well as Neverwhere, Stardust, American Gods, Anansi Boys, Coraline and The Oc...

Characters

OdinSupporting

The one-eyed all-father of the Norse gods.

ThorSupporting

The mighty, hammer-wielding god of thunder.

LokiSupporting

The beautiful, treacherous trickster whose schemes drive the myths.

All characters in Norse Mythology

Frequently asked questions

  • Is this book a scholarly or academic resource for studying Norse mythology?

    The text is a creative retelling intended for entertainment rather than an exhaustive or historically accurate academic resource. It intentionally embellishes and adapts source material to create a cohesive narrative flow, and the author has noted that it is not meant to serve as a primary text for serious study of Viking history or culture.

  • Do I need to read other books by Neil Gaiman before starting this one?

    The stories are presented as a standalone collection that begins with the creation of the worlds and concludes with Ragnarök. While the author has explored Norse themes in his other fiction, this book functions independently and does not require prior knowledge of his bibliography.

  • Are these stories connected or can they be read in any order?

    The chapters are arranged in a chronological sequence that moves from the dawn of the worlds to the final destiny of the gods. Although each chapter functions as a distinct tale, the book is structured to be read from beginning to end to follow the overarching progression of the mythic timeline.

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