- ISBN13: 9780394748467
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Drawing on a wide variety of sources, the author has re-created 32 classic Norse Myths that compete in power with Greek mythology…. More >>
Drawing on a wide variety of sources, the author has re-created 32 classic Norse Myths that compete in power with Greek mythology…. More >>
…and that this is the book Neil Gaiman recommends on the subject.
Rating: 5 / 5
It is an awesome book. If you don’t believe me and the other reviewers, go to the library and read it to see for yourself. It is definitely worth reading.
Rating: 5 / 5
I’ve just finished Kevin Crossley-Hollands book of Norse myths. It has an introduction with an overview of the myths followed by the myths. I’m not a huge fan of Norse mythology but I thought I would give this book a read anyway considering the immense impact Norse mythology had on fantasy writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Robert E. Howard.
The main god Odin cuts a striking figure with his wide brimmed hat, blue robe, shoulders each with a raven, and one eye missing. The story of how he hung from Yggdrasill for nine nights to find out what death is like has an obvious parallel to the story of Christ’s crucifixion. Crossley-Hollands states that the similarity between the two is a coincidence.
The Norse gods struck me as mean-spirited. They are exactly what I would expect the gods of pirating barbarians to be like. The Vikings were not good people so their gods were not good as well.
The final story of Ragnarok is excellent. Ragnarok or as it is also called, “The Twilight of the Gods”, is when the world comes to an end and the gods along with mankind die. After that a new world rises with the children of the deceased gods to govern it.
After reading this book, I think that the Norse myths have their merits, but I still think the myths are too macho and immoral to appeal to me.
Rating: 4 / 5
I found this book when I began to delve into Norse Mythology. I was in fear that the book would be dry and technically written. However, I found this to be a very informative and entertaining book. I gave this as a gift to my sister, who also enjoys Norse mythology.
This material is a must-have for all beginners.
Rating: 5 / 5
This book is the best intro to the Norse Myths. The authors retelling of the tales is accurate, entertaining and educational. If you are interested in Asatru, Odinism or just the mythos get this book!
Rating: 5 / 5