Book Review
Norse Mythology
by Neil Gaiman
"Before the Beginning there was nothing - no earth, no heavens, no stars, no sky: only the mist world, formless and shapeless, and the fire world, always burning."
I enjoyed reading this book, the words flowed off the page in waves, and it felt that I was getting to know many of the characters as realistic legions as real as legions can be. This feels like the way the Norse Gods had always been told, in small bits with ancient ideas and bizarre creatures.
I enjoyed the sad tale of the master builder, and liked the tale behinds Sif's golden hair and the mead of the poets.
The Frost giants, dwarfs, the magic and the treasures beautifully described, but having been a long reader of Tolkien's work the clunky rude humour made it pale in comparison and I felt myself longing for a more serious story teller that wasn't trying to make a joke out of every scene. However, it felt strong and creative, and I finished it quickly. It became evident the further I read that Loki was the most intelligent and cunning of all the Gods, and the author regarded him as the catalyst to all the God's problems. I felt that there was too much focus on him in almost every story, and not enough ramblings and adventure on the other Gods.
The books feels like it is similar Peter Pan, or Alice in Wonderland, but something cuts it short for me, maybe I just don't get the humour or his style of story telling, I found the book Stardust a strange read as well. I enjoyed the plot, but felt a few of the scenes should have been edited. The book will make a good gift to my brother and sister in law, to read to my nephew when he grows up a bit. I know I can't see this as a treasure for me to have I definitely won't be keeping this.
by Abbs
