Author: Neil Gaiman
Book: Hardcover, 304 pages
Expected Publication: February 7th 2017
Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company
Genre: Mythology/Fantasy/Retellings/Short Stories/Historical Fiction
Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at @ Breaking The Spine, which spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Introducing an instant classic—master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales.
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. Once, when Thor’s hammer is stolen, Thor must disguise himself as a woman, difficult with his beard and huge appetite, to steal it back. More poignant is the tale in which the blood of Kvasir, the most sagacious of gods, is turned into a mead that infuses drinkers with poetry. The work culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and rebirth of a new time and people.
Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerge these gods 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.
By now it has become clear to me that Gaiman is a favorite auto-buy author for me. I am currently slowly making my way through all of his books & taking my time because each one is so good for lack of a better word lol. I tend to pick up the audiobooks but do intend to collect them for my Hall of Gaiman or shelf really hehe. Norse Mythology is a book or collection of myths, I know I will be buying on it’s release day not just because its seriously STUNNING but because as the title gives away, its based on norse mythology which is up there with Greek & Roman mythology for me, I have always been a mythology fan & could never resist a good tale of Gods being whelp…Gods. I love how Gaiman’s wittiness always shines through his characters & expect to get a few laughs along the way, I’m also really looking forward to his world building which can’t be compared to anyone else. For this book, I will be reading the physical while listening to the audiobook. For those who have experienced a Gaiman audible narration, you know why this is a treat. If you haven’t yet, give it a try & I promise you will NOT regret it. There’s nothing like listening to Uncle Gaiman (my nickname on the blog for him) tell you a story so grab your beverage of choice & settle in for the experience 😉
What are you wonderful Bookish Peeps waiting on this Wednesday? anyone else heard of Norse Mythology? any Uncle Gaiman fans out there? lol
Ha, I posted a WoW for this a while ago, nice to see that both the UK and US cover are the saem, alas, no sign of an ARC yet! 😦 I haven’t read Gaiman before but I’m a huge Norse mythology fan and think this is the ideal book to start with. 🙂
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lol I’ve been keeping a close eye on it but no, no arcs as of yet *harumph* LOL! I love me some Gaiman so this is a MUST! & yea I agree, if you haven’t read anything by him & norse mythology is a fave of yours then this would be the best starting point. I’m SUPER glad that the covers are the same (watch the U.K. come & sprinkle some gold on the edges *rolls eyes*) cuz that means I don’t have to wait for Boodepository’s 1 month delivery service -_- SMH. February will be one busy book month 🙂
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Ha, the UK publisher had ARC’s, they posted the damn things on Twitter and even ran a goodreads giveaway with 50 up for grabs! suffice to say, I didn’t win and never heard back from them when I emailed either. 😦
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LOL I entered both giveaways also a loser smh. You never know though, it may show up w/out a response from the publisher. I still haven’t quite worked up the nerve to request any physical copies…
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I’ve never read anything by Neil Gaiman before, I have seen a lot of his books though.
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Good old Uncle Gaiman 😘 I cannot wait to get my hands on this. I don’t think I need to explain why. You managed to take care of that pretty well yourself ❤❤❤
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This book sounds super interesting! And the cover is really cool ^_^ Hope you love this book!
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
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LOVE the cover 😍😍😍 lol! Thanks 😃
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I saw this book on a WoW post a little while ago and added it to my to-read list then. It sounds amazing doesn’t it? Neil Gaiman is probably an auto-buy author for me as well, plus I am a massive fan of mythology (mostly Greek I’ll admit but I like learning about other cultures as well) so this is even more of an auto-buy for me, if that is even possible! Great pick for this week Lilly. 🙂
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I think that we will enjoy this one immensely 😉💕I also favor Greek mythology however mythology in general is my Achilles heel 🤣🤣🤣 thanks Beth💕
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Any mythology is good mythology in my opinion! 😀
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I second that! 😃💕
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I’m dying for this book!!!! Must. Read. Now.
Did you ever read The Ocean at the End of the Lane? I can’t remember… It was my most recent NG read and tied for my favorite with Stardust 🙂
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Same here Amanda! lol & no I haven’t read The Ocean At The End Of The Lane yet but I do have the audiobook on deck for whenever the Gaiman mood strikes 😉 OooO seriously? tied with Stardust? now i’m seriously curious, Stardust is my FAVORITE Gaiman so far 🙂
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Love Neil Gaiman! I’m waiting on this one as well 🙂
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