Rewriting the Gods: A Review of Neil Gaiman's 'Norse Mythology'

Despite the origins of Norse mythology dating back to the 5th century, the themes of valour, trickery, and destiny have resonated with mythology enthusiasts the world over. The tales of Thor and Loki have been captivating minds and stirring imaginations for generations. One such imagination belongs to none other than Neil Gaiman.

In the introduction of “Norse Mythology”, Gaiman recounts that he has been a fan of Norse tales from a young age. He credits Marvel Comics for introducing figures such as Thor and Loki to him and thus, this is where his love for mythology began. Like Gaiman, my main exposure to Norse mythology has stemmed from the Marvel Universe, even though I have been fascinated with various world mythologies for as long as I can remember.

Summary

“Norse Mythology” is a collection of legends consisting of the main figures in Norse myths: Thor, Loki and Odin as well as other gods such as Frey, Freya and Baldur. The difference between this collection and others you may have seen is that Gaiman has written them all in his signature style. He even prefaces the book by stating that he desired to never portray the gods as accurately as possible, instead, he wanted to reinvigorate the role of the storyteller. An important part of mythology is the way the stories are told. Each bard tailors the myths based on their own needs. They could change based on the purpose of the tale, the audience, or the messages they wish to convey.

First Impressions

It is no secret that I am an avid reader of Neil Gaiman’s work, so this review may be somewhat biased. I have been battling with a reading slump for a few months now. I have started and then put down numerous books, but this is one of the first I have managed to finish. I attribute this to Gaiman’s style of writing. His works are extremely whimsical and it’s easy to slip into the worlds he creates. “Norse Mythology” was no different. Although, I did feel that his writing was over-complicated in parts. There are several instances of characters shapeshifting and it’s in these times that I felt that the writing lacked clarity. In saying this, it’s by no means unreadable.

Structure and Plot

In terms of the plot, as previously mentioned, this is a collection of myths. They are all concise retellings of different events. In most cases, the tales are, to an extent, self-contained. However, there are times when previous stories are referenced in subsequent chapters. It is a relatively easy book to read. None of the stories are too long so one can easily read a story in one sitting. This is a fairly light read, however, there are some depictions of gore and violence. Gaiman has never been one to shy away from such imagery, but it is not at the forefront of any of his works.

Closing Thoughts

Would I recommend this novel? Yes, I would. I will state that you should have an interest in fantasy or mythology to start with. I think that going into this novel blindly could jade some people’s perception of it. What I enjoyed about this novel was purely Gaiman’s classic sense of humour. This is an element he weaves into most of his works. With this in mind, it might be difficult for some to see how the all-powerful Thor is portrayed. By the end of the novel, you will not have any doubts regarding Thor’s strength and physical capabilities, but you will have doubts about his intelligence. Marvel hints at this in their depictions of the god, but Gaiman leans more into this than popular media has. Either way, this novel is a great laugh and perfect for anyone looking for short stories or something similar that they can read in one sitting.