the penguin book of norse myths gods of the vikings

Trickery, betrayal, and magic are common themes in many Norse tales. In many of the stories, mythological beings may undergo great adventures, partake in battles, and have high-stakes drama in order to reach their goal and understand the moral of the story. The gods themselves embark on journeys where they may be tested on their quest for honor and greatness. In many Norse stories and tales, heroism plays a key role. Ellis Davidson, The Viking Spirit by Daniel McCoy and many more on this list! Themes In Norse Mythology Books Heroism If you love Norse Mythology, Vikings, and all things Valhalla, then you will enjoy the likes of Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, Gods and Myths Of Northern Europe by H.R. All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this version of the beautiful Norse myths it will go straight onto my 'favourites' bookshelf.I have gathered 10 of the best Norse Mythology books that you will definitely want to add to your reading list!

Yet unlike the Greek myths, Norse myths are strangely and sadly overlooked here they should be on the national curriculum. They also seem more relevant to our own British culture than Greek myths, due both to the fact that we were invaded by Vikings and in the wider sense of reflecting a similar northern European outlook. I'm going to miss reading about the Gods' various exploits and I can actually see why the old Norse worshipped them - far more exciting than the monotheistic religions. It was interesting to read more about the traditions and beliefs of pre-Christian Scandinavia like the boat burials too. Loki (the trickster) has to be one of my favourites.

Freya is not just Goddess of love but also of war (she rides to battle in a chariot drawn by two cats!).

The Gods and Goddesses are intriguing characters and some are multi-faceted in that they are worshipped for more than one reason - e.g. Lewis to Neil Gaiman - are influenced by them. I kept thinking how much the works of 20th and 21st C fantasy writers - from Tolkien to C. The myths themselves are far more thrilling and entertaining than I thought they would be - many of them portray the ongoing tensions and fights between the Gods and the giants. At least then you can understand the various references to each realm in the myths. If you're not familiar with the myths, I would advise reading the 'introduction' beforehand it contains a map of the nine worlds that the Norsemen believed in. He has skilfully drawn on multiple sources from pre-Christian and Christian Iceland and other Nordic countries however most of all he draws from Snorri Sturluson's 'Prose Edda' (written in approx 1220). I'm so glad that I chose Kevin Crossley-Holland's retelling of these fascinating myths. I had always meant to read the Norse myths but had never got around to it until recently.

The penguin book of norse myths gods of the vikings