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eplishka's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mfeibel's review against another edition
5.0
This. Was. So. Good. I knew very little about Norse Mythology except some names and Loki's punishment...because it's in Sandman - also by Gaiman.
These stories were funny, quick, and super interesting. I couldn't put the book down! And it's awakened a hunger for more Norse Mythology!
And to read American Gods.....
These stories were funny, quick, and super interesting. I couldn't put the book down! And it's awakened a hunger for more Norse Mythology!
And to read American Gods.....
marionw's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was not a necessarily good book. Although it was fun to read about the norse mythology and I did like the different parts and that each part told a story thats significant to norse mythology. I also liked that the book kinda went from the beginning of time and untill the death of Loki.
b2ed's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
calderinv's review against another edition
4.0
Spoilers:
Adventures are undertaken. Losses and gains are mitigated. The world ends. Then it doesn't. All brilliantly recounted by Neil Gaiman.
Adventures are undertaken. Losses and gains are mitigated. The world ends. Then it doesn't. All brilliantly recounted by Neil Gaiman.
thisotherbookaccount's review against another edition
2.0
I don't blame Neil Gaiman for this, since he's basically rewriting actual Norse mythology, but this book is just full of nonsensical farce. Every character — Thor, Odin, Loki — is a childish asshole with nothing better to do than drinking and eating all day. Every story is perpetuated by something stupid that Thor does, or something mischievous Loki does, and some other god has to go solve their problems.
Here is the basic premise of a story. Someone's special thing gets stolen, and someone is angry. He goes find it, and discovers that evil giant person has stolen the thing. Evil giant person said he has stolen the special thing, but will only give it back if the angry god person convinces a goddess to marry the evil giant person.
All the stories are these pointless, silly games that they are playing with one another.
That is not to say that none of the stories are interesting. There are some small little gems in here for sure. But overall, the real point of this book is really just to make Norse mythology somewhat more accessible to the general audience. Most of these stories, when you get down to the core of them, are just sort of mildly amusing.
If you enjoy a cast of childish dickheads playing god, this is the book for you. Gaiman said many of these stories are at risk of being forgotten. Maybe they are better off that way.
Here is the basic premise of a story. Someone's special thing gets stolen, and someone is angry. He goes find it, and discovers that evil giant person has stolen the thing. Evil giant person said he has stolen the special thing, but will only give it back if the angry god person convinces a goddess to marry the evil giant person.
All the stories are these pointless, silly games that they are playing with one another.
That is not to say that none of the stories are interesting. There are some small little gems in here for sure. But overall, the real point of this book is really just to make Norse mythology somewhat more accessible to the general audience. Most of these stories, when you get down to the core of them, are just sort of mildly amusing.
If you enjoy a cast of childish dickheads playing god, this is the book for you. Gaiman said many of these stories are at risk of being forgotten. Maybe they are better off that way.
emilyacgm's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this with my youngest son and we enjoyed it a lot. Gaiman reads the audio version and does a great job helping the stories come to life and infusing them with humor and excitement. A fun romp through Norse myths!
bookdragone's review against another edition
5.0
Gaiman brings us some of the old Norse tales, retold in his own inimitable style - the Gods become human in personality, with their squabbles and jealousies destroying lands in the blink of an eye. I love that he has stayed true to the old Odin pantheon, with the incredibly strong but sometimes rather dense Thor, beautiful Freya and the trickster extraordinaire Loki in starring roles. Such fun and frolics with the lore of old and the promise of Ragnarök and the future to come!
sydyoungstories's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly like this mythology redo as much if not better than some of Gaiman's stories, just because I love his magic without all the creepiness. Don't worry there is still dark, it's just the dark of life or the dark of the creation stories I grew up with. So this is an offering that will make Gaiman even more of a household name. And of course his narration is perfect. My favorite story was the mead of poetry. It's just fantastic! I'm not very familiar with Norse Mythology so I have no idea how much of this is Gaiman and how much is of the old stories but I'm thankful he made them where I could hear and understand and enjoy them.