Title: Norse Mythology
By: Neil Gaiman
Published: February 7th 2017
By: W. W. Norton Company
Genre: Mythology-Short Stories
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 giants, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerges the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to dupe others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.
I enjoy a lot of these short stories about Norse Mythology, I really think it’s a great work by the author, it’s informative, it’s very well told and I think if you’re interested in learning more about the Nordic gods this book is perfect to start or if you really like Vikings like my lol
It’s my first experience with Neil Gaiman, so I’m happy to finally have read one of his works. I loved his writing style and how natural it was for him to tell us these stories. I like and I appreciate that he took the time at the beginning of the book to do a little introduction about how he came to want to write about this, how was his research and also to clarify the fact that a lot of the comments in the stories are personal and only his. He also highlights those who have helped him with the book and I think that it’s great. I liked how he’s so open and genuine with what he believes and what he writes about. Surely I’ll be reading more about this talented author in the future
Personally I’m a fan of mythology in general I find it fascinating to know about all these myths and legends, my favorite will always be Greek Mythology I have been reading about it for years, so it seemed a good idea to know more about Norse in this opportunity. Finding books that include myths of this nature is always something that I appreciate that the authors do, I think you can build so many stories based on only in one myth, you know?. And if the author knows how to handle it, it will always be very valuable. In this opportunity to know more about Nordic mythology was great, I already knew some things but anyway it was fun to read about it again, but there were also many things that I didn’t know abut. I met some gods and other beings I didn’t know anything about and that was super fun, I also feel that this book leaves you a lot of new knowledge which is fantastic.
I couldn’t stop comparing the gods with the Marvel characters lol. I guess it’s something that is born naturally, but in my head there can’t be another Loki or another Thor, is impossible
I feel very surprised that I didn’t really liked Thor as much as I thought I would. I think he’s a pretty proud god, like too much for me. My favorite stories are those that focused more on Odin and Loki (since I’ve learned many things that I didn’t know about them, many stories and situations new to me), also those that describe the beginning of everything and of course the last chapter dedicated to Ragnarok, I think it’s absolutely terrifying as much as wonderful
I highly recommend this book if you like Nordic mythology, I think there will be some data that will probably surprise you, plus you’ll enjoy the Neil Gaiman’s writing style. It’s a book with stories that are captivating and dark and there are other fun and very weird ones too, so I think you’ll not get bored with it.
Great review! I listened to this book at the beginning of the year and it absolutely blew me away! I’m glad you liked it 😊
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Thanks😊! I’m glad you liked it as well. He’s a great writer and I can’t wait to read another of his works soon
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Aaaaaah, this book has been so hyped that I’m now a tinge wary. Excellent review, though! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts.
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Thanks! I’m so glad you liked my review❤️. And don’t worry, I totally get it, there are so many books that seem incredible and everyone loves them but still I feel tinge wary about whether read them or not 🤔
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Neil Gaiman is the best! If you like his writing, and you like mythology, I highly recommend American Gods.
I did the same, comparing the Marvel series with these stories. It’s difficult not to. It’s interesting how Marvel completely changed Ragnorok, and the character of Hella and her origin in the new Thor movie.
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Thanks for your recommendation💕!, I would really love to read American Gods at some point, I’ve heard that alot of pepole seems to love it so I will 💪 .
Totally, I think that they should be as faithful as possible to the myths in the movies, that would be so incredible to see 🙂
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I’m a huge Gaiman fan and the whole time I was reading this I was thinking about the Marvel movies to! I kept trying to tell myself no, get Hemsworth and Hiddleston out of your head but it never worked 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
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YES !, it’s impossible not to think about them😩
Thanks honey, I can’t wait to read something more by the author soon 💕
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I just bought this! I can’t wait to read it! Great review 🙂
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YAY, I hope you like it 😄
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I have been underwhelmed by Gaiman in the past. But I’m massively into most anything history-related where Norse history is concerned. So I fully expect to get onto this one at some point 😊
Currently in the midst of reading an amazing viking trilogy. There’s always room for more Norsemen.
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I think you’ll enjoy this if that’s what you like!
That sounds amazing, I hope you’re enjoying it 😄 😄
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SAME HERE! While I was reading this, I was constantly picturing all the Marvel characters 😂I mean, it wasn’t a bad portrayal.
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It’s impossible not to think about them! It’s so crazy 😆
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Omg!! I’ve seen this book at the store & I’m going to buy it lol thx for the review 💓👌
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YAY, that’s great, I hope you enjoy it a lot once you read it & Thanks! 💕💕
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✌️😉💓
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i love mythology too, but my favorite is also greek mythology 😀 i’m also pretty intrigued with vikings (both the people and the tv show 😀 is it good?) and i love neil gaiman so i can’t wait to read this book!
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Vikings (the tv show) is absolutely incredible, I’m personally obsessed with it and I highly recommend it, you never know what will happen and each chapter manages to surprise, also contains so much of Nordic mythology, is brilliant 😃 😃
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If you enjoyed this one than you should really check out the rest of Neil Gaiman’s writing! This one has been a hit or miss with a lot of people, but his other novels are even stronger in my opinion!
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That makes me feel even more excited to read his other works, I really can’t wait 😄
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I feel like if I read this, I won’t be able to take the Marvel superheroes out of my head… but it’ll be so exciting to learn more about Ragnarok!!
(also I am 100% #TeamLoki though Thor is also one of my faves <3)
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YAY! #TeamLoki💕. I think you’ll love this book if you give it a chance, there are so many things about the gods that I had no idea about, so I think you’ll learn more things as well, especially about the Ragnarok, it’s so interesting 😊 😊
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[…] Goodreads / My Review […]
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Great review! I actually brought this book recently and now after reading your review I am even more excited about picking it up 🙂
I have a feeling I won’t love Thor as much as I love him in the Marvel movies as from the mythology I have read he does seem like a proud God and yay to Loki – love him 😉
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YAY !, it makes me happy that you’re going to read it, I hope you enjoy it a lot.😄
I would love to know your thoughts once you’ve read it, personally I feel that the myths show the gods in a much more raw and real way so it may make you doubt everything, it’s so interesting! #TeamLoki💕
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This is in my TBR pile!! Thank you for the review I’m super excited for it!
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YAY!, I’m glad you’re going to read it, I hope you enjoy it a lot 😊
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[…] Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman (4/5 Stars) REVIEW HERE […]
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I did not like this book but I guess it is my fault. I think I was expecting some kind of magical and amazing story like Percy’s adventures, but it wasn’t, so I was disappointed. I get that this is a great completion of Norse mythology stories from all times but business the great job done in his research… I don’t find this to be outstanding… There is a History Channel documentary about Norse mythology that address the same stories the same way…
Sorry 😦
But great review! And I like how you compare them 🙂 they are completely different stories the ones from Marvel and the real ones. 🙂
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Don’t be sorry😊!, I fully understand your point, in a way I also expected something completely different from what it really is, so I understand that there are other opinions about it. On the other hand I’m very excited and curious to read something more by author !. Have you read any other of his works?
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Oh totally, I just found this book not to be like the best representation of the author XD
I have not read anything but American Gods is a book that calls my attention so bad and it even has its own TV show, so I think I will be trying that one at some point 😀
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This is a book, that it has become impossible for me to sleep without having my earphones in and I’ll be listening to those stories.
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That is so incredible 😄
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[…] Short Book Review: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman […]
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