REVIEW: Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Publishing information: Hardback; 304pgs
Publisher: WW Norton & Co., 7 Feb 17
ISBN: 9780393609097
Standalone
Copy: Out of pocket
Reviewer: Tyson

Amazon

Synopsis: "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 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."

Ever since I took a mythology class in high school I have been a sucker for mythology books and when I had heard that Gaiman was releasing one on Norse mythology, I pre-ordered it. I was curious to see what his creativity could bring to the world of Thor, Odin, Loki, and everyone else.

Unfortunately, Gaiman doesn't seem to bring anything new to the age old myths. There are a few instances where his voice is clearly present but for the majority of the book Gaiman sticks to the tried and true. He doesn't do anything out of the ordinary and sticks to the original script. I was hoping for a new take on stories many are familiar with but it just wasn't the case. If you were to remove Gaiman's name from the cover, I doubt most would even know that he wrote it. Every story reads as if it were a school text book.

I wasn't expecting a linear story but I was hoping that Gaiman would lend his creativity to retell the myths so that we had something new. I will say that he does tell the stories so that they are much easier to take in and read as his prose is much easier than the Eddas but if you have read them you might as well skip Gaiman's version. While it is a nice book to have in the collection, its straight forward retelling is a disappointment.

Overall 6/10