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tack's review
informative
medium-paced
3.5
I’d prefer a little more frequent citation in some conclusions that are drawn, but it seems to my largely uneducated self to be a decent overview of the major stories of Norse mythology.
amotisse's review against another edition
5.0
An attractive and compact book that fits nicely in the hands, full of intriguing tales and comprehensive information.
madhamster's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating, with a lot jammed in to a little volume.
High quality production, including the feel of the paper - thicker than standard.
High quality production, including the feel of the paper - thicker than standard.
lgrunwald's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
After reading Carolyn Larringtons Poetic Edda translation last year I knew I had to get this little gem too. While much of it covers what was already in the poetic Edda it had so many little extra facts, artwork, and even knew reference material I want to look into that is was absolutely worth it! Carolyn Larrington just knows how to explain these complex stories in such a informative and entertaining way that I couldn't hardly put it down. If you plan on reading this I would highly advice you do it BEFORE reading the poetic Edda rather than after like I did as this introduction is immensely helpful in breaking things down before fully diving in the deep end of the full text. I just enjoyed it because I think I'm becoming quite a Dr. Larrington fan girl. Haha!
I've seen some reviews on here claiming that this is "boring" and they wanted to hear the stories and not have an academic explanation. While, I'm a little surprised some of the reviewers on Goodreads don't seem to be able to read the word GUIDE in the title and not retelling I would suggest, if you are one of these people, to check out Neil Gaimans "Norse Mythology". That would be what you are looking for. After you read that if you came back to this I guarantee you'd appreciate it more.
After reading Carolyn Larringtons Poetic Edda translation last year I knew I had to get this little gem too. While much of it covers what was already in the poetic Edda it had so many little extra facts, artwork, and even knew reference material I want to look into that is was absolutely worth it! Carolyn Larrington just knows how to explain these complex stories in such a informative and entertaining way that I couldn't hardly put it down. If you plan on reading this I would highly advice you do it BEFORE reading the poetic Edda rather than after like I did as this introduction is immensely helpful in breaking things down before fully diving in the deep end of the full text. I just enjoyed it because I think I'm becoming quite a Dr. Larrington fan girl. Haha!
I've seen some reviews on here claiming that this is "boring" and they wanted to hear the stories and not have an academic explanation. While, I'm a little surprised some of the reviewers on Goodreads don't seem to be able to read the word GUIDE in the title and not retelling I would suggest, if you are one of these people, to check out Neil Gaimans "Norse Mythology". That would be what you are looking for. After you read that if you came back to this I guarantee you'd appreciate it more.
thepurplebookwyrm's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Positives:
- Very smooth and clear delivery of the topic
- Not Viking-exclusive, with references to related/adjacent Germanic culture and history
- Features stories about the gods and human heroes both
- Lots of relevant information boxes about specific cultural or religious concepts
- Commentary about the meaning of some stories, and the evolution/aetiology of Norse mythology
Negatives:
- More said about this or that deity would've been cool.
- More said about specifically female entities, such as the Norns, would've been even cooler.
- I wouldn't have minded additional information about Anglo-Saxon and broader Germanic mythology, pagan religion, etc...
But, overall: a very good, very comprehensive reference – 8 to 8.5/10.
- Very smooth and clear delivery of the topic
- Not Viking-exclusive, with references to related/adjacent Germanic culture and history
- Features stories about the gods and human heroes both
- Lots of relevant information boxes about specific cultural or religious concepts
- Commentary about the meaning of some stories, and the evolution/aetiology of Norse mythology
Negatives:
- More said about this or that deity would've been cool.
- More said about specifically female entities, such as the Norns, would've been even cooler.
- I wouldn't have minded additional information about Anglo-Saxon and broader Germanic mythology, pagan religion, etc...
But, overall: a very good, very comprehensive reference – 8 to 8.5/10.