Listened to the BBC radio adaptation.
An excellent brief overview of the Norse myths. ( )

Neil Gaiman's telling of the norse myths is really accessible and relatable. I don't know whether it is his retelling or the original myths themselves but I was constantly asking myself why the Gods did not just murder Loki, after all he seemed to be behind everything which goes wrong. The second most stiking thought was that the Gods themselves are rather like children, innocent and trusting but likely to lash out violently when they don't get their way.

It was a very entertaining read and I know feel a little more familiar with Norse myths and how they still resonate down to us today. ( )

Egy új klasszikus: a jól ismert skandináv mítoszok a történetmesélés nagymestere, Neil Gaiman elképesztő átiratában.

Az ősi történetekből Gaiman regényszerű ívet kovácsol, kezdve a kilenc világ legendás megteremtésével, majd sorra veszi a félistenek, törpék és óriások tetteit. Például Thor pörölyének ellopását, aki ezután kénytelen nőnek öltözni ez az ő szakállával és étvágyával nem kis feladat, és úgy visszalopni. De elmeséli a legmeghatóbb történetet is, amikor Kvasir, a legbölcsebb isten véréből megfőzik azt a sört, amely aztán létrehozza a költészetet. A számtalan kaland Ragnarökkel, az istenek alkonyával, új idők és emberek születésével zárul.

Gaiman keze alatt a régi poros mítoszok újra élettel telnek meg. A regény mesteri és szellemes prózája kiemeli az istenek versengő énjét, megmutatja hajlamukat arra, hogy átverjenek másokat, és őket is átverjék, valamint megismerteti az olvasót azzal a tulajdonságukkal, hogy a szenvedélyt mindig hagyják felülkerekedni a józan eszükön.(Bookline)

I am glad I finally got around to listening to this ( I have had the paperback on my bookshelf for several years). It is really well narrated by the author and kept me engaged throughout. I now think I could watch one of the superhero movies and actually have an idea at what is going on. ( )

Neil Gaiman seems almost the perfect candidate to write a collection of the myths of the Norse gods and Asgard, and I approached this book with keen anticipation.

It's a great read, breezy and quick, and Gaiman invests the main characters with life and humour. His Thor is a particularly good character, imbued with a blend of dry wit that sometimes comes across almost as stupidity. His Loki is less successful; he fails to really capture the true evil and threat in Loki, preferring to emphasise the trickster in him. The last part of the book, recounting the leadup to and the aftermath of Ragnarok, is probably the best part.

Norse Mythology is worth reading, but does not really stand out from other versions of these tales that I have read; it's just a welcome retelling of familiar stories. Gaiman has not delivered a comprehensive classic in the mold of Robert Graves' Greek myths, and nor has he delivered an adaptation as remarkable as Graves' reworking of Suetonius in the Claudius novels, or T.H. White's take on Morte d'Arthur. A little disappointing; maybe expectations were too high. ( )