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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This retelling struck me as abstract and dry. I know some readers always find Byatt abstract and dry, but the intellectual quality of her writing is one of the characteristics I usually find most appealing. Here, however, it wasn’t effective—it sucked all the vibrancy out of what I find is an earthy mythos. Unlike others in the Canongate's The Myths series that I’ve read, Byatt didn’t “retell” the myth, but simply told the myth literally, under a thin veneer of a girl who, during World War II in the UK, likes to read Norse mythology. I’ve recently read Neal Gaiman’s Norse Mythology, and frankly it was far more enjoyable, if far less academic.
The story is mostly a retelling of Norse mythology. I should love it then, right? Well, not really. The description of the book made me believe the story would weave myths into a story of a girl during World War II. I expected and even hoped for a story like that, but unfortunately the girl's story is almost completely lacking and is even barely passable as a frame for the mythological retelling. What little is there could have provided an emotional, coming-of-age during war-time story. Still gave it three stars because I do like Byatt's retelling of Old Norse mythology, which would have been perfect on its own.
Listened to the audio book. A great way to do it, the language is beautiful.
Truly beautiful prose to retell the Norse myths, not just the story of Ragnarok. Read it for the words alone.
Wish it had been longer!!
Wish it had been longer!!
I liked the emergence of the writer's mind in the thin girl and her learning, absorption and deeper understanding of the Norse myths. A brilliant marriage of the stories of the myth and a commentary on the importance of the stories. After reading it, I think I'll better see underlying myths in other things I read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Well done and crafted with lyrical prose, Byatt makes the Norse gods the truly alien beings they are to those of us reared in an Abrahamic religious tradition.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated