Ok, I’m a little out of my element here, reviewing a book, but I guess there’s a first time for everything, huh? This should be relatively short with minor spoilers hidden in a drop menu for your convenience. Maybe I’ll do this again, maybe I won’t. We’ll see!
I’ve had Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman sitting on my to-read shelf for a long time now. It’s one of those books where the cover grabbed me and I knew enough of the topic to be interested. Plus the fact that it was written by Neil Gaiman made the plunge even more enticing. I had been wanting to get into a book of his for a while, as I kept hearing of his works and was always intrigued. So with all the stars aligning, the only thing left to do was set the time aside to read it.
And boy, did I find the time! It seemed like I had just started it and before I knew it I was halfway through, and about a day later I was done. And that’s huge for me! I’m usually a little slower getting through a book. If you’re unfamiliar, Norse Mythology reads very much like a collection of short stories. Myths and folklore Gaiman had collected and researched from various resources. Reading through, it felt as if it was all pure fiction. Reading the tales of the gods and the things they’ve done was a lot to take in. Giants who can be mistaken for mountains, a serpent that can circle the world, unbreakable hammers, apples that grant immortality. It is easy to read it and forget these are stories that have been read for over 900 years. Stories that many believe to be age old truths. I mean, it’s hard to think in such a small world we live in now, where we can communicate with each other across the planet in an instant, that there would be things we could encounter that would prove such myths. You’d think we would’ve found something by now, right? Maybe? What gets me is how the Earth’s oceans have yet to be fully explored… But that’s another post.
Anyway, I started reading because of God of War, which had just released for the PlayStation 4. For the unknowing, it’s a game that takes place and revolves around Norse mythology. So I thought what better way to prep for the game than to read this? I tell ya, it’s one of the better ideas I’ve had! I feel like I’m so much more educated than I was, I have this strange urge to just start random conversations with people like “Hey, remember that time Thor had to wear a wedding dress?! Hahahaha!” Yeah, I’m already socially awkward, I don’t need Thor’s help, thanks.
When I started to read I wondered if I was going to be into it at all, to be honest. In the first few chapters, I was going through that slog of trying to keep up with all the hip new Norse slang being thrown around, trying to learn what is what and who is who’s brother, this dude doesn’t like him, it’s all pretty daunting. But after a few chapters, it evened itself out and established a balance between knowing and learning. I found myself trying to burn through the chapters just so I could get to the next one to see what it was about. I quickly learned the tales of Thor and Loki were my favorite. I was fine with them on their own, but loved the ones with both of them featured together. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy other chapters, But they were definitely a favorite. Perhaps it was my connection with them from the Marvel movies? Maybe I already had established thoughts on them and whatever I was reading in the book was just adding to that? Whatever the case, I loved hearing of Thor’s strength and how feared he was among everyone and everything. And even though he… well, this isn’t a spoiler, but.. even though Loki is a huge jerk, his mischievous and cynical ways were too intriguing to not adore. I guess therein lies the magic and danger of Loki. With all of the trouble he caused the gods, he was conniving enough to fix his wrongs and make things right. Usually with another wrong or two, but still, he handled things.
To give you a taste of what I’m talking about, here’s the spoiler I said I would mention. It stood out to me the most from the book because it not only showed the many levels of Loki, how he can go from dangerous and unrelenting to somewhat helpful to mend what he’s caused. Sure, it’s to protect himself in the long run but he still gets things done. And in turn, accidentally helps create one of the god’s most powerful weapons:
There are so many other details in the different stories you’ll read in Norse Mythology. Some funny, some unbelievable. And if you’re anything like me and you were following along so engrossed in everything, the last story will leave you with a scar. Ragnarök – The Fate of the Gods – is Norse mythology’s Judgement Day. It’s what was alluded to throughout the book and when you read the descriptions of the events that occur you feel an emptiness inside. It’s eerie too when you think about Gaiman’s words from the beginning of the book where he explains how he’s not sure if Ragnarök has taken place yet. When you read this chapter and you’re a wuss like me, don’t read it at midnight because you’ll rob yourself of some sleep.
Ragnarök, much like the general portrayal of the gods from Norse Mythology, is a sad, and lonely ending. Usually, when you’re reading of super powerful beings and their tales of heroism or villainy, you get a pretty straightforward ending where you feel satisfied and complete. Happy. No, there is no happiness here. If you’re expecting Marvel’s Thor and the bunch, you should check those feelings at the door, as they are not that similar. Reading of the gods and what they go through and encounter is not for the faint of heart. It is not a romantic trollop through history, where you’ll think fondly of certain characters.
The lives of these gods are full of treachery, sadness, and death. Sure there are plenty of laughs and ale and magical encounters. But the tragic intertwined tales of the gods from Norse Mythology will make you feel empty the more you consume.
With that said, this book is a collection of stories that will be hard to put down. You’ll get tangled up in Odin’s head, you’ll be in awe of Thor’s strength, and you will most definitely fall for Loki’s mischievous charms. As much as I enjoy watching, reading, and keeping up with Marvel’s versions of the gods, reading the myths from which others have studied for more than 900 years is eye opening and just as engrossing.
If you’re a fan at all of Marvel’s Thor and wish to learn more of that world, you won’t be sorry to read up on where those characters derived from. Even though they are not identical, mirror representations, the source material will give you plenty to love and enjoy.
This review was a little painful for me to write. The book takes such a rich, mythological dive into so many things worth researching, it’s almost a disservice to just write a review about the book and not get into the details of certain gods and stories. The Prose Edda and Poetic Edda are 13th century works of Old Norse literature that seem to be the basis of Norse mythology. I’ll leave it up to you to do your own research if you’re interested, which if you are and you read the book, you’ll be going crazy with everything just like I am right now.
