A review by ajfbern
The Nibelungenlied: The Lay of the Nibelungs by

challenging dark reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

A flawed but epic work, consisting of a courtly romance followed by a grand revenge plot. Easy to see how the lay has generated so many derivatives that expand a part of the whole and fix the flaws in exposition or style 

I liked how Gunther was a weak king (and a cuckold?) in the first act and then becomes a top three boldest warrior of all time in the second half. The Burgundians discovered the power just guys being dudes. Shame about Sivrit and the gold though!