Norse Mythology (book)

Norse Mythology is a 2017 book by Neil Gaiman. The book is a retelling of several stories from Norse mythology, including the theft of Thor's hammer and the binding of Fenrir. In the introduction, Gaiman describes where his fondness for the source material comes from. The book received positive reviews from critics.

American Gods
Original hardcover of Norse Mythology
AuthorNeil Gaiman
CountryUnited Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
PublisherW.W. Norton & Company
Publication date
February 7, 2017
ISBN1-526-63482-1

Reception

The book was generally well-received by critics, with some citing the prose as a strength. Kirkus Reviews said that Gaiman's description is rich and atmospheric.[1] The Washington Post's Michael Dirda said that, although Gaiman's short, clipped sentences usually seem better suited to children's fiction, his retellings were gripping and strongly characterised.[2] Peter Fields of Midwestern State University wrote positively about the simplicity and clarity of Gaiman's language, and indicated that the book's thematic material demonstrated his growth as a writer.[3]

Some writers compared his interpretation of the characters to the original tales. Fields said that Norse Mythology drew attention to eccentric aspects of the folklore often neglected from other popular adaptations, like Marvel Comics' depiction of Thor. Writing for The Guardian, classicist Natalie Haynes described the work as egalitarian, making space for the popular and lesser known aspects of the mythology.[4]

Adaptations

A ninety-minute audio adaptation was broadcast by BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day 2018 featuring Derek Jacobi as Odin, Colin Morgan as Loki, Natalie Dormer as Freya, and Nathaniel Martello-White as Thor, with the stories narrated by Diana Rigg in the guise of an unexpected visitor ("Mrs Njordsdottir") keeping an inquisitive young boy company in hospital during a blizzard.[5] Gaiman himself was heard in a cameo role as a radio announcement.[6]

An audiobook version was released in February 2017, narrated by Gaiman. The New York Times described his narration as "seductive".[7]

Comic book

Dark Horse Comics adapted the book as an eighteen-issue series. P. Craig Russell provides both the scripts and covers for each issue. Art and colours were provided by a variety of artists, including Mike Mignola, Jerry Ordway, and Dave Stewart.[8] Jill Thompson provided art and colours for the final two issues.[8] To mark the release of the first issue, a special edition cover by Bill Sienkiewicz was released along with a signed variant.[9]

References
  1. "Norse Mythology | Kirkus Books". Kirkus Reviews. November 22, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  2. Dirda, Michael (February 14, 2017). "Neil Gaiman's Suspenseful and Surprising Norse Mythology". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  3. Fields, Peter; Gaiman, Neil (2018). "Review of Norse Mythology, GaimanNeil". Rocky Mountain Review. 72 (2): 324–326. doi:10.2307/26565619. ISSN 1948-2825.
  4. Haynes, Natalie (February 12, 2017). "Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman review – a rich retelling". the Guardian. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  5. Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology, BBC programmes. Accessed 13 January 2018
  6. Natalie Dormer, Colin Morgan and Derek Jacobi cast in Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology on Radio 4, Radio Times, 22 November 2018
  7. Yuknavitch, Lidia (May 15, 2017). "The Story of Thor, in the Voice of Neil Gaiman (Published 2017)". The New York Times. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  8. McMillan, Graeme. "Dark Horse Comics to Adapt Neil Gaiman's 'Norse Mythology'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  9. McMillan, Graeme (September 22, 2020). "Neil Gaiman's 'Norse Mythology' Gets Covers from Artist Bill Sienkiewicz | Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
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