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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
I really did read this, although it doesn't fit into my usual collection of science fiction, Young Adult, or 19th-century English novels. The first part was fun, revisiting the stories that I remember from reading and re-reading the D'Aulaire's book of Norse mythology when I was in elementary school. The second part was sort of wacky.
Entertainment rating: 3 stars
Value as a text: 4 stars
There was so much information in here to keep anything straight. However, this is a valuable and comprehensive source for Norse myth and insight into Viking beliefs pre-Christianity (kinda). This isn't a novel but a compilation of stories told quickly and straightforwardly. Not the most fun way to read about Norse myth but definitely the one closest to the real thing since this text was written in the 13th century.
Value as a text: 4 stars
There was so much information in here to keep anything straight. However, this is a valuable and comprehensive source for Norse myth and insight into Viking beliefs pre-Christianity (kinda). This isn't a novel but a compilation of stories told quickly and straightforwardly. Not the most fun way to read about Norse myth but definitely the one closest to the real thing since this text was written in the 13th century.
funny
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Prose Edda is a classic novel, and is an extensive source for Scandinavian literature and Norse mythology. Definitely more suited to an adult audience, with its trials, tribulations and fantastical element, it is clear that many prized and lauded fantasy authors and creators have taken inspiration from such a huge source. As a classic, this is hard to rate. Some of the stories and poetry are more engaging than others, and there is a lot to take in. It's an interesting book, and I borrowed this from my partner (we read it together).
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
The Prose Edda was written or compiled in the 13th century. It quotes from poems that scholars believe to give evidence of an older Edda. The discovery of a version of the Poetic Edda, written after the Prose Edda, adds further proof of the existence of a Poetic Edda that was written before the Prose Edda. Because of this, The Prose Edda is refereed to as the Younger Edda and the Poetic Edda as the Older Edda.
These two works are pretty much all we know about Norse mythology. This is not an easy read a [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] 2017 [b:Norse Mythology|37903770|Norse Mythology|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516128292s/37903770.jpg|51396954] is a much more entertaining read.
I enjoyed seeing the connections to Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. I enjoy the stories but again, it is not an easy read.
These two works are pretty much all we know about Norse mythology. This is not an easy read a [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg] 2017 [b:Norse Mythology|37903770|Norse Mythology|Neil Gaiman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1516128292s/37903770.jpg|51396954] is a much more entertaining read.
I enjoyed seeing the connections to Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology. I enjoy the stories but again, it is not an easy read.
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
The Prose Edda offers a fascinating snapshot of a 13th century interpretation of Norse mythology. This edition is supported by additional material explaining the historical context and various nuances of storytelling at the time (such as explaining kennings, a poetic tool contemporary poets used to create different names for things, which relied on a deep knowledge of the mythology). At times, the Edda can be confusing, but this is mainly because various poems have been lost to time and there can be differing interpretations in different source texts.
Overall, an interesting and informative read. The description of Ragnarok I found still very striking.
Overall, an interesting and informative read. The description of Ragnarok I found still very striking.
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Review på dansk fordi jeg læste bogen på dansk og det giver bare mere mening.
Super spændende! Jeg er næsten ked af at jeg ikke har læst den her før nu. Der er så mange ting at holde af ved Snorres måde at fortælle og ramme historierne ind på.
Han har en "disclaimer" som det første i bogen, fordi man er jo en ordentlig kristen og derfor skal man frasige sig de hedenske guder. (Skal lige siges at jeg her ikke medregner indledningen af oversætterne, den er også interessant, men det sjove starte først rigtig med "disclaimeren").
Det bedste ved disclaimeren, som også fortsætter ind i Gylfis Blændværk, er nok Snorres påstand om at de nordiske guder i virkeligheden konger og krigere fra Troya. Odin, flat out, snyder kong Gylfi til at tro at de alle sammen er guder, ved at dele sig i tre (magi) og skamrose/prale om sig selv og sin familie/sit folk. Det er genialt!
Den sidste del (Verslisten) er godt nok en kende tør at komme igennem, hvis ikke man har interesse i at lære hvordan man bygger denne stil af digte op.
Review på dansk fordi jeg læste bogen på dansk og det giver bare mere mening.
Super spændende! Jeg er næsten ked af at jeg ikke har læst den her før nu. Der er så mange ting at holde af ved Snorres måde at fortælle og ramme historierne ind på.
Han har en "disclaimer" som det første i bogen, fordi man er jo en ordentlig kristen og derfor skal man frasige sig de hedenske guder. (Skal lige siges at jeg her ikke medregner indledningen af oversætterne, den er også interessant, men det sjove starte først rigtig med "disclaimeren").
Det bedste ved disclaimeren, som også fortsætter ind i Gylfis Blændværk, er nok Snorres påstand om at de nordiske guder i virkeligheden konger og krigere fra Troya. Odin, flat out, snyder kong Gylfi til at tro at de alle sammen er guder, ved at dele sig i tre (magi) og skamrose/prale om sig selv og sin familie/sit folk. Det er genialt!
Den sidste del (Verslisten) er godt nok en kende tør at komme igennem, hvis ikke man har interesse i at lære hvordan man bygger denne stil af digte op.