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secondhusk's review
4.0
I saw this on my friend's bookshelf and read it in a hammock over a long weekend. My god, what a delight. The weird and beautiful illustrations. The amused writing style. And most of all, just how freakin' bizarre Norse mythology is. I mean, knowledge exists because a bunch of gods spit berry juice into a vat and then asked the spit questions. Come on. Also, Valhalla is a wonderfully fucked-up place.
witchofthemountains's review
5.0
This book has spoiled me for other books on Norse mythology.
The illustrations are gorgeous and the retellings are fairly true to the source material. I can't wait to buy a copy for myself! The pages are thick, almost like construction paper, and the layout makes for easy reading in the form of either bedtime stories or personal enjoyment.
If you're going to read the myths in a format other than the Eddas, please consider this book over the others! (Especially avoid the National Geographic retellings. They're off-base and horribly told, in addition to being downright offensive in many places. Go for this book instead!)
The illustrations are gorgeous and the retellings are fairly true to the source material. I can't wait to buy a copy for myself! The pages are thick, almost like construction paper, and the layout makes for easy reading in the form of either bedtime stories or personal enjoyment.
If you're going to read the myths in a format other than the Eddas, please consider this book over the others! (Especially avoid the National Geographic retellings. They're off-base and horribly told, in addition to being downright offensive in many places. Go for this book instead!)
mollyringle's review
5.0
I grew up with the D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths as my introduction to Zeus, Hades, and co., so I was happy to come to this as my introduction to Norse mythology. (Well, my first in-depth introduction. We won't really count 'The Avengers,' I guess.) As expected, they do a fabulous job, laying out the weirdness and wonder of the myths in an accessible way, all with their signature frivolous and beautiful illustrations, and with a much appreciated glossary of names and how to pronounce them.
As with any such reference book, I'll need several perusings before I really have a proper handle on the myths. But I feel my Norse indoctrination has earned its first level, at least, by this first reading. And yep, as Michael Chabon says in his preface to this edition, Loki is totally the best character in the myths. Ah, the unfathomable mind of the trickster. I'll never get tired of it.
As with any such reference book, I'll need several perusings before I really have a proper handle on the myths. But I feel my Norse indoctrination has earned its first level, at least, by this first reading. And yep, as Michael Chabon says in his preface to this edition, Loki is totally the best character in the myths. Ah, the unfathomable mind of the trickster. I'll never get tired of it.
eirenophile's review
3.0
I grew up with [b:D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths|79626|D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths|Ingri D'Aulaire|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170970293s/79626.jpg|891861], but despite an interest in Norse mythology never picked this one up. It accomplishes much the same thing, generically speaking, as the former Greek version, in that I finish the book with a good sense of who the important gods were and what the important stories involve. For me, this is a crucial step in learning about new mythologies, because too much information too quickly can be alienating.
On the other hand, I don't think this is nearly as good a book as [b:D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths|79626|D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths|Ingri D'Aulaire|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170970293s/79626.jpg|891861]. The illustrations are not half as compelling, and many of the stories feel warmed over, if you know what I mean.
I doubt that there are any other books out there that provide the function this one does, but I still think I would rather start out my children with [b:Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Norse|645575|Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Norse|Leonard Everett Fisher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176692323s/645575.jpg|631735], just because the illustrations are so much more appealing.
(I feel I should also note that this is not a mythology I am super excited about introducing to my hypothetical children because of the gender dynamics of the pantheon and the myths. Not to mention the whole war=awesome mentality.)
On the other hand, I don't think this is nearly as good a book as [b:D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths|79626|D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths|Ingri D'Aulaire|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170970293s/79626.jpg|891861]. The illustrations are not half as compelling, and many of the stories feel warmed over, if you know what I mean.
I doubt that there are any other books out there that provide the function this one does, but I still think I would rather start out my children with [b:Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Norse|645575|Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Norse|Leonard Everett Fisher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176692323s/645575.jpg|631735], just because the illustrations are so much more appealing.
(I feel I should also note that this is not a mythology I am super excited about introducing to my hypothetical children because of the gender dynamics of the pantheon and the myths. Not to mention the whole war=awesome mentality.)
djinn_n_juice's review
4.0
This book is probably just as good as D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths, which I've bestowed five stars to. But the Greek myths are just inherently more cool than the Norse ones. The Minotaur? Hardcore. Medusa? Hardcore. Loki? Well, yes, Loki is pretty hardcore...and so is Thor...
Okay, I'll admit it, I'm just totally biased. In about 150 gorgeously illustrated pages, the D'Aulaires cover a huge number of the more important myths of Norse mythology. And what is so amazing is how concisely, yet comprehensively, they cover the most important elements of the myths. They do that, and they make it lots of fun to read.
Unfortunately, I discovered this one just a few years ago, so I wasn't as awed as I could have been. When I read their book on Greek myths in second grade, it started an obsession that lasted years.
Okay, I'll admit it, I'm just totally biased. In about 150 gorgeously illustrated pages, the D'Aulaires cover a huge number of the more important myths of Norse mythology. And what is so amazing is how concisely, yet comprehensively, they cover the most important elements of the myths. They do that, and they make it lots of fun to read.
Unfortunately, I discovered this one just a few years ago, so I wasn't as awed as I could have been. When I read their book on Greek myths in second grade, it started an obsession that lasted years.
chilivanilli28's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sofie_puzzlemaster5000's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
litsirk's review
4.0
I'd never heard any Norse myths before, just heard the names Thor, Loki, Odin, in passing. So part of the glory of this book is just hearing what insanity the myths contain, not so much the way it's written. The illustrations, though, oh my word. I wish I could upload photos. I will say every depiction of Odin, with his derangedly sparkling one eye, is delightful.
So, insanity, without too many spoilers:
The creation myth includes a "hornless ice cow" who comes "mooing from the pit" of nothingness from which comes the world;
the dome of the sky is the SKULL of the first living being (second being the ice cow), while his TEETH...and his hair! I won't tell.
Odin invents written language after hanging himself from a tree for 9 days and nights, eventually seeing symbols in the twigs below him (because he's ASPHYXIATING and thus HALLUCINATING)
And Ragnarokk. Do not miss Ragnarokk.
The beginning and end are the best parts, with the middle containing too many feats of strength and not enough lunacy, but all in all, I heartily recommend Norse myths.
So, insanity, without too many spoilers:
The creation myth includes a "hornless ice cow" who comes "mooing from the pit" of nothingness from which comes the world;
the dome of the sky is the SKULL of the first living being (second being the ice cow), while his TEETH...and his hair! I won't tell.
Odin invents written language after hanging himself from a tree for 9 days and nights, eventually seeing symbols in the twigs below him (because he's ASPHYXIATING and thus HALLUCINATING)
And Ragnarokk. Do not miss Ragnarokk.
The beginning and end are the best parts, with the middle containing too many feats of strength and not enough lunacy, but all in all, I heartily recommend Norse myths.
countdowntoblastoff's review
5.0
A perfect book.[return][return]This is the kind of book children stumble upon in libraries and then obsessively devour for weeks. The myths are exciting and easily understandable, and the D'Aulaire's rough and colorful illustrations carve themselves indelibly into the memory. If you and/or your children have never seen this book, do yourselves a favor and get acquainted.
badassladyknight's review
4.0
I enjoyed this collection of Norse myths. A couple of the myths ended abruptly, and I'm not sure if it's how the author's wrote it or because don't have as many sources as other mythologies. Other than that, the illustrations are as stunning as the D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths & the mythology is written in an accessible way for children.