#AllHallowsWeek Review - Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Series: Standalone 

Genre: Fantasy/Mythology 

Age Group: Adult
Audiobook - 6.5 hours
Harperaudio- 2017 
Add it // Buy it 

Rating - 5/5

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 a giant, 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’ve been an avid mythology fan for most of my life. Take my fascination with ancient myths all the way back to the Ulysses episode of Wishbone.  After being curious about the Norse myths for years, but never knowing where to start, this book seemed like something to ease me into the mass of myth.

All of the myths within are rewritten and reworked by Gaiman in a way that makes them accessible and entertaining to read. Though I cannot speak for accuracy, because this is my first foray into Norse myths, the stories feel timeless. They have the elements of old original myths within. They can explain, warn, and entertain.  

The audiobook was a delight. Gaiman read it himself, like he does most of his audiobooks, and that always add something to the experience for me. Most of the chapters are short which I really enjoyed because it made finishing chapters of the audiobook easy and I could stop at the end of each retelling if I needed to stop listening.

Each story was complete and full of adventure. The gods were fickle and they are all related in some strange way. It was fantastic.