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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
This is a short little book weaving together myths from Viking times (I've been watching the Vikings TV series and spotted some sources). I'm not sure if one would call it a summary? There is a lot of imagery and I liked the way the author threaded the myths into the context of a little British girl reading the tales during WW II.
The only Byatt I have enjoyed a lot. This is fantastic; beautifully written, wonderfully crafted, and inventive.
This was an interesting read—instead of retelling the myth, Byatt wrote about an experience of reading the myth. I liked the structure and the fact that it was set during WWII; that backdrop provided a parallel between the events of the mythological world ending and the devastation caused by WWII. The writing was amazing, as is always the case for Byatt. This was a short but powerful book. It was not the sort of book that I wanted to finish in one sitting; I enjoyed reading it in short sections.
I will begin with accessibility. This is still in print and looking at Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ragnarok-Gods-Myths-S-Byatt/dp/1847670644/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319550373&sr=8-1) it is available; in hard cover, paperback, Kindle and audio editions. It is a beautiful book. The cover and images really add to the reading experience. The type face makes the book really readable. The references at the back of the book allow you to follow up the themes mentioned within this text. Therefore, I give this book 5/5 for accessibility and presentation.
The structure of this work is unusual. It combines the story of a young girl surviving WW11 with the story of the Nordic Gods to create a new tale. If the reviews on Goodreads are anything to go by, many readers find the structure problematic. But, I really like it. I thought that the combination of history and myth made the myths seem more alive and relevant. The structure weaves a web of stories, bringing to life our; mythological past, Historical experience and our dystopian future. My only reservation is that the style of this book could feel messy. But, it works for me. Therefore, I give this structure 5/5. The language is typical Byatt. If, like me, you respect her style of writing, then you will like this. But,If you don't like Byatt's writing style, then you won't like this work. I give this book 5/5 for language.
The structure of this work is unusual. It combines the story of a young girl surviving WW11 with the story of the Nordic Gods to create a new tale. If the reviews on Goodreads are anything to go by, many readers find the structure problematic. But, I really like it. I thought that the combination of history and myth made the myths seem more alive and relevant. The structure weaves a web of stories, bringing to life our; mythological past, Historical experience and our dystopian future. My only reservation is that the style of this book could feel messy. But, it works for me. Therefore, I give this structure 5/5. The language is typical Byatt. If, like me, you respect her style of writing, then you will like this. But,If you don't like Byatt's writing style, then you won't like this work. I give this book 5/5 for language.
A beautiful re-telling of the Norse myth of the end of the world. It is told within the story of a child evacuated to the English country-side during WWII as she tries to make sense of the world around her. The reader, Harriet Walter does an amazing job bringing out the prose poetry of Byatt's writing.
A splendid recollection of forgotten stories.
Told with wit and love and fear and regret. This is what separates myth from mere allegory and this short boom is both a delight and a warning.
Told with wit and love and fear and regret. This is what separates myth from mere allegory and this short boom is both a delight and a warning.
Rating: 1* of five (p41)
"...Airmen were the Wild Hunt. They were dangerous. If any hunter dismounted, he crumbled to dust, the child read. It was a good story, a story with meaning, fear and danger were in it, and things out of control."
I have Byatted for the last time. I love the Norse myths, and this precious twitzy-twee retelling of them through "the child"'s horrible little beady eyes made me want to Dickens up all over the place.
I tried. I really tried. I read some of Possession. It was like having an estrogen drip placed directly into my testicles. I tried Angels and Insects and, horrified and repulsed, put it down (as in "down the crapper" down) even before I found out it was about brother/sister incest.
I think her writing is ghastly, I dislike the stories she tells, and I won't be coerced, shamed, convinced, asked, begged, guilt-instilled, or required to pick up any damn thing else this Woman-with-a-capital-W writes in this incarnation.
"...Airmen were the Wild Hunt. They were dangerous. If any hunter dismounted, he crumbled to dust, the child read. It was a good story, a story with meaning, fear and danger were in it, and things out of control."
I have Byatted for the last time. I love the Norse myths, and this precious twitzy-twee retelling of them through "the child"'s horrible little beady eyes made me want to Dickens up all over the place.
I tried. I really tried. I read some of Possession. It was like having an estrogen drip placed directly into my testicles. I tried Angels and Insects and, horrified and repulsed, put it down (as in "down the crapper" down) even before I found out it was about brother/sister incest.
I think her writing is ghastly, I dislike the stories she tells, and I won't be coerced, shamed, convinced, asked, begged, guilt-instilled, or required to pick up any damn thing else this Woman-with-a-capital-W writes in this incarnation.
Uma ideia muito interessante estabelecendo paralelismos entre o mito do fim do mundo nórdico e a segunda guerra mundial. Muito interessante.