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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/113828-Norse-Mythology
ASIN: 0393356183
ID #113828
Norse Mythology   (Rated: 18+)
Product Type: Book
Reviewer: Jayngle Bells Author Icon
Review Rated: 18+
Amazon's Price: $ 8.73
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Here's the thing about me and Mr. Gaiman: I think he is exceptionally talented, has a command of language of phrase that is in the upper echelons of authors, and I have hated every one of his books I've tried to read.

American Gods, four times I tried. Four times it was relegated to DNF. I know the difference between stories that don't appeal to me, despite beautiful writing, and stories that don't appeal to me because the writing stinks. Gaiman is talented. He's just not my cup of tea.

So here I am, giving Norse Mythology 4 stars. I think it's the perfect vehicle for Gaiman - I mean, mythology is plain weird when you get down to it. The extra-legged horse - well, there's a tale for around the campfire. I'd say Loki took one for the team, but Loki isn't really a team kind of player, so...that happened.

The origins of bad poetry is the funniest thing I have read in a long time.

Ragnarok +1. Loki, you bastard.

The original myths can be a little dense for some readers, and the casual tone of this collection serves as a nice primer. It's worth it just to meet Hel. Yes, that Hel (Hell). It was enough to whet my apetite for more, perhaps less casual, exploration.

Despite the casual tone, I felt parts of it were uneven. It's almost as though you can see where Gaiman's favorites are, and where he needed to include pieces to create a cohesive collection. That's not to say any of them are bad. Some are simply better than others. And the best are an absolute joy. And page-count wise, it is spot-on. Not too long, not too short, not bogged in detail and not short on substance.

Gaiman expertly gives order to the chaos of the worlds, which is one of the things I have always found most challenging to keep straight. Each God is well fleshed-out, and fairly modern (by design). Much of the tongue-in-cheek feel is so subtle it's wonderful, and the actual flat-out humour is at time so dry, it's hysterical (see: the tale of bad poetry).

Well worth the read, even if you don't particularly like Gaiman. Certainly worth it as a refresher, or introduction to, Norse Mythology, and chock-full of Gaiman's signature style.
Created Dec 06, 2018 at 8:43pm • Submit your own review...

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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/product_reviews/pr_id/113828-Norse-Mythology