Purchased from the Aurora Hills Branch Library's sale shelf.

Description:
Neil Gaiman, long inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction, presents a bravura rendition of the Norse gods and their world from their origin though their upheaval in Ragnarok.

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki—son of a giant—blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.

Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose, these gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

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One of the starting books for the To the Stars: A Science Fiction Bookbox 2.0 | Now with a new Fantasy & Horror Upgrade! + Shrinking Patch!

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I'm claiming this from the To The Stars bookbox. Between the Gaiman name and the handsome cover-art, how could I resist? (I read a graphic novel version of part of this book, and will be glad to dig into the text.)

Later: Not surprisingly, this is a very enjoyable retelling of the familiar tales (and some that aren't as well-known), with the often-troublesome Norse gods revealing personalities that humanize them. Sometimes dark, sometimes funny, often dramatic!

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in MA here.]

** Released for the 2023 Keep Them Moving challenge. **