Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman || Book Review

I’ve had this book for a while on my TBR list, only to finally remember that my husband downloaded the audiobook a few years back and I’ve had it right under my nose all this time.

So naturally I had to dive into it full speed and devour up all the information Neil Gaiman had to offer.

DISCLAIMER: This review could contain possible spoilers based on my opinions. All opinions and views are my own.

Book review: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman #bookreview #norsemythology #neilgaiman #fantasybooks #mythology #booktwt #bookaddict #booktwitter
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Originally published: 2017

Time: 6 hours 29 min
Format: Audiobook

Plot from GoodReads:

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 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.

Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Once, when Thor’s hammer is stolen, Thor must disguise himself as a woman―difficult with his beard and huge appetite―to steal it back. More poignant is the tale in which the blood of Kvasir―the most sagacious of gods―is turned into a mead that infuses drinkers with poetry. The work culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and rebirth of a new time and people.

Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerge these 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.

Thoughts:

After listening to the audiobook and hearing all the stories, the ones closer to the true history, I’ll never look at the Marvel Universe versions of the Norse Gods the same again. Compared to the origins, Marvel’s Thor, Loki and Odin are cute fluffy versions of their true beings.

While the focus anywhere seems to only be on the top three mentioned legends, the book explores so many more characters, unknown to many and tells the whole story. It’s not all sugar and sweetness, I can you guarantee that.

The Ragnarok story was mind-blowing and there was so much more to it than I knew of.

I love how the author stayed true to the characters from the myths, how much effort was put into researching the facts and adding so much detail.

A bonus was Neil Gaiman’s narration of his book, I loved the easy flow and his calming voice as I got lost in the myths and legends from Norse Mythology.