"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...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.--
Record details
ISBN:9780393609097
Physical Description:regular print 293 pages ; 22 cm
Edition:First edition.
Publisher:New York : W.W. Norton & Company, [2017]
The players -- Before the beginning, and after -- Yggdrasil and the nine worlds -- Mimir's head and Odin's eye -- The treasures of the gods -- The master builder -- The children of Loki -- Freya's unusual wedding -- The mead of poets -- Thor's journey to the land of the giants -- The apples of immortality -- The story of Gerd and Frey -- Hymir and Thor's fishing expedition -- The death of Balder -- The last days of Loki -- Ragnarok: the final destiny of the gods.