The norse myths the pantheon fairy tale and folklore library 8601417032572. Author kevin crossleyholland explains that a long time back the vikings believed that human beings lived on middle earth. Guerber simplifies the text down to smaller synopses of some, but not all, of the myths. An exhilarating introduction to the vivid, violent, boisterous world of the norse myths and their cultural legacyfrom tolkien to game of thrones. The caldecott medalwinning daulaires once again captivate their young audience with this beautifully illustrated introduction to norse legends, telling stories of odin the allfather, thor the thundergod and the theft of his hammer, loki the mischievous god of the jotun race, and. But both parts of this definition need some discussion. The best they seem able to do is withstand a greater chaos, for a time. The first and second chapters set the stage with an overview of the sources for norse mythology and a discussion of prechristian germanic religion in order to provide context for the books main focus. I would consider your purpose before deciding where to begin. Here are thirtytwo classic myths that bring the viking world vividly to life.
The penguin book of the norse myths compellingly retells these stories for the modern reader, taking us from the creation of the world through the building of asgards wall to the final end in ragnarok. Unlike their greek counterparts with whom most readers are far more familiar, the norse gods impose little order upon the world. Asgard home of the aesir, midgard home of humans, alfheim home of the elves, vanaheim home of the vanir, jotunheim home of the giants. The 10 best norse mythology books norse mythology for. The book opens with a note from the author explaining the origins of the stories. Norse myths by kevin crossleyholland, jeffrey alan love. The norse myths by kevin crossleyholland scholastic. Gods of the vikings new ed by crossleyholland, kevin isbn. The mythic legacy of the scandinavians includes a cycle of stories filled with magnificent images from prechristian europe. Neil gaiman putting his own fingerprints on the norse myths.
It includes gripping retellings of no less than 34 epic norse myths more than any other book in the field while also providing an equally comprehensive. Despite the starkness of this picture the norsemen took intense pleasure from such things as friendship, drinking and eating, making love, outwitting strangers, avenging wrongs, and. The norse myths by kevin crossleyholland, paperback. Parents need to know that norse mythology is a novelistic account of ancient scandinavian myths, retold by neil gaiman, author of the graveyard book and many other awardwinning titles. Table of contents legends, myths and fables from around. Here are thirtytwo classic myths that bring the viking world vivi. From the comic book hero thor, to the names of the days of the weektuesday is tyrs day, wednesday is odins day, thursday is thors day, and friday is freyas day. Includes a guide to norse names and characters, and internet links to websites to find out more about the vikings. It opens with a foreword by the author explaining exactly what norse myths are and how they came about.
The world here is a hard, cold, bitter place in which to live. If i wanted to learn about norse viking mythology, what. The book is set from the birth of the universe to ragnarok, the twilight of the gods. These are the tales that viking poets recited in dimly lit halls to the captivated attendees of grand feasts, and which fathers and mothers told to their children around roaring hearthfires on long winter nights. Gods, humans, and monstrous beasts engage in prodigious drinking bouts, contests of strength, greedy schemes for gold, and lusty encounters. Asgard home of the aesir, midgard home of humans, alfheim home of the elves, vanaheim home of the vanir. Meet dragonslaying heroes and giantsmashing gods, as well as thor, the thunder god, loki the shapeshifting trickster and sea serpents, fire demons and frost giants in these aweinspiring myths. It is a basic introduction to the mythology, so individuals wanting more analysis or discussion, or those already very familiar with norse myths may not find this book that insightful or interesting. Stories of norse gods and heroes download free pdf book. Neil gaiman on his norse mythology, in which odin wants.
The norse myths by kevin crossleyholland goodreads. Neil gaiman was reading to a packed crowd from his new book of stories, norse mythology, on thursday night at town hall, and he had. Stories survive for some of the gods, preserved in the poetic edda, the prose edda, and other icelandic manuscripts but no stories have survived for many of the gods and for most of the goddesses. A guide to viking and scandinavian gods and heroes has quickly become one of my favourite books on norse mythology.
That reaction is genuinely earned in this tight retelling, as gaiman darts between a tolkienesque tone in the epic origin stories and his own bright wit in the tales centering on the adventures of thor, loki, and odin. The body of stories that we today call norse mythology formed one of the centerpieces of the pagan norse religion. I completely agree with brian and dan for a serious study, you must go to the eddas. In norse mythology, gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major norse pantheon.
I had to guess at the pronunciation of most of the names but i. Norse myths is a candlewick studio publication packed with stories and tales of gods, goddesses and giants from the norse mythologies. The earth became green and beautiful again, and in a deep forest that the fire had not burnt a woman and a man woke up. Gaimans forthcoming book norse mythology, which norton will publish next february, is an almost novelistic retelling of famous myths about the. Love in the norse tales was often accompanied by murderous passions, and treachery was commonplace. The stories are translated from the original source, the icelandic eddas, which were compiled in the century from much older written and orally transmitted material.
It retells stories of greek, roman, and norse mythology drawn from a variety of sources. These myths provide explanations for the ways of the ancient world and give the reader insight into the beliefs of the nordic pagans. Timeless tales of gods and heroes is a book written by edith hamilton, published in 1942 by little, brown and company. More information about this seller contact this seller 2. Tolkien, whose lord of the rings features many themes from norse mythology, such as dragon slaying and enchanted rings. The caldecott medalwinning daulaires once again captivate their young audience with this beautifully illustrated introduction to norse legends, telling stories of odin the allfather, thor the thundergod and the theft of his hammer, loki the mischievous god of the jotun race, and ragnarokk, the destiny of the gods. The 10 best norse mythology books norse mythology for smart.
Passages translated from old norse bring this legendary. From the eddas and sagas in a barnes and noble collectible edition retitled tales of norse mythology is a great read if you have little to no knowledge of the norse pantheon, myths, and surrounding literature. The daulaires book of norse myths is specifically written for ages 59, or kindergarten through fourth grade. Daulaires book of norse myths hardcover may 31, 2005. For a long while the fairest of the gods lay in the half light, his brow gleaming as white as the whitest flower, his hair shining, and he tried to snare his dream to name each form and dismiss it. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. Buy daulaires book of norse myths instead, it has pictures.
If youre a parent looking for a book on norse mythology for your child, the daulaires book of norse myths is easily the best book on norse mythology for children. Norse mythology is the body of myths of the north germanic peoples, stemming from norse paganism and continuing after the christianization of scandinavia, and into the scandinavian folklore of the modern period. Norse myth is complicated in that nothing was written down during the actual viking age, so our pr. Highspirited and muscular thor, the subject of many of the most popular myths, has even been the subject of a comicbook series called the mighty thor. The norse myths lesson plan contains a variety of teaching materials that cater to all learning styles. Gaimans forthcoming book norse mythology, which norton will publish next february, is an almost novelistic retelling of famous myths. A guide to the gods, heroes, rituals, and beliefs paperback. It has been reissued since then by several publishers, including its 75th anniversary illustrated edition. In norse mythology, neil gaiman retells the norse stories about the forming of the world, the creation of yggdrasil and the nine worlds, how odin lost his eye, how the gods got their treasures, lokis children, thors journey to the land of the giants, the death of balder, ragnarok, and more.
Neil gaiman delves deep into norse myths for new book the new. The word story, for instance, should not be passed over. Tales of odin, thor and loki, is a big, heavy book. He twisted and writhed as he tried to escape the dark shapes. The northernmost extension of germanic mythology, norse mythology consists of tales of various deities, beings, and heroes derived from numerous. The book is gaimans retelling of several stories from norse mythology. From asgard to valhalla shorty dawkins freedom outlaw. The norse world xiv cosmology xx the pantheon xxv sources xxxii the literary structure of the myths xxxvi approach xxxix the myths 1. The kinds of myths most western readers are most familiar with classical myths, say, or the norse myths which are the subject of this book belong to the distant past. Thirtytwo scandinavian myths tell stories of gods, giants, dwarfs, and monsters involved in the creation, development, and ultimate destruction of nine mortal. In the norse myths, kevin crossleyholland gathers together thirtytwo myths important to the scandinavian culture. An exhilarating introduction to the vivid, violent, boisterous world of the norse myths and their cultural legacy. I picked this book up because i had limited exposure to religions and their myths other than the judeochristian pathway.
The book entitled the norse myths by kevin crossleyholland contains multiple series of myths throughout it. Reviewed in the united kingdom on 4 september 2018. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. About norse mythology cliffsnotes study guides book.
Neil gaiman almost makes a novel out of norse mythology. Stories of norse gods and heroes by annie klingensmith consists of 20 chapters, each a story from norse mythology. It traces the norse myths transmission and development from viking age skaldic poetry to the later eddas. Kevin crossley hollands the norse myths are a very readable collection of talesmyths from the land of the norse. Youll discover how thor got his hammer and how odin lost his eye, the terrible price of binding the wolf fenrir and why loki the trickster can. The norse gods go on adventures and engage in great contests. Neil gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. I was delighted to hear about this book and enjoyed learning more about nordic mythology. Inside youll find 30 daily lessons, 20 fun activities, 180 multiple choice questions, 60 short essay questions, 20 essay questions, quizzeshomework assignments, tests, and more. Neil gaiman delves deep into norse myths for new book.