Customer Reviews

Cassell Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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I have been reading serious books about Norse mythology since the mid-1960s (I don't remember when I first encountered versions for children), and have studied the primary sources in translation, and, to a very limited (and amateurish) extent, in the original languages. This is exactly the sort of reference book / handbook I used to dream about, and which seemed to be available only as watered-down introductions for schoolchildren, or, if reasonably scholarly, in German. A recent example of the latter, by Rudolf Simek, has been translated by Angela Hall, as "Dictionary of Northern Mythology" (1993). The end of the twentieth century, has, in fact, seen several works of this sort, solidly based in scholarship, yet simple enough for those unfamiliar with the subject to enjoy. To my great pleasure, they are even being written in English.

This example is a re-set, mass-market edition of the 1997 "Cassell Dictionary...," which was published in both hardcover and trade paperback editions. The textual contents appear to be identical (I do not have a copy at hand to compare, so I am relying on memory), although, given the changes, it will be useful in the future to give references to Orchard by head-words, rather than page numbers. The original illustrations have been omitted; against this loss, the mass-market edition is in print.

The contents are extremely impressive. All of the major, and almost all of the minor, figures of Norse myth and legend from Scandinavian sources, together with other Germanic materials, and other relevant texts and archeological and other sources are catalogued and concisely described or defined. (The coverage of heroic legend is limited to the major figures, particularly those attested outside Scandinavia. Unfortunately, some of the more reliable and interesting correspondences to Migration-Age history, such as the names of the Niflung / Burgundian royal family, are slighted.)

There are cross-references to related articles - none, so far as I have noticed, leading in circles (as I have seen in too many reference works). Major critical issues are covered briefly and clearly, and with impressive objectivity (compare the discreet entry on "Beowulf," with due regard for the scholarly consensus, to the author's own views in his own 1995 book on the subject, "Pride and Prodigies...").

The difficult problem of transcribing Norse and Anglo-Saxon names, with their unfamiliar characters, has been solved by a few simple rules, clearly explained; exceptions are made for some very familiar forms, like Odin and Thor, where consistency would have called for accent marks. This will annoy purists, and perhaps those who have studied the relevant languages a little, but is far less intimidating to the uninitiated.

The articles are supplied with bibliographic references, in cryptic-looking letter-number combinations which direct the reader to numbered items in four separate bibliographies (references, primary sources, sources in translation, and studies). With something like 800 titles to deal with, this saves space, and avoids the problem of keeping track of whether or not an item appears in one or more places, and in full or short form. Although it looks confusing, I have found that the alphanumeric system makes it relatively easy to check the references. There is also an index of medieval passages and authors cited in the text.

An attractive feature is a set of appendices cataloguing such things as the names and titles of Odin, the names of Dwarfs, of Giants, and of "Troll-wives, Giantesses and Valkyries" (the last set showing so much overlap and confusion that grouping them together was probably the most practical solution). As in the articles, names are supplied with translations, if the meaning is reasonably clear.

Among recent works actually written in English, the most nearly comparable is John Lindow's "Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs." It differs in offering fewer, but longer, articles, with much more extended discussions of critical issues, literary problems, and rival interpretations. It omits some of the items of in the "Dictionary," but also covers some topics which Orchard only mentions. Lindow's bibliography seems much less comprehensive, but he includes essays on both the primary sources and the secondary literature (including how to evaluate on-line offerings). I have both, and would not give up either, but Orchard clearly offers the better bargain to a novice looking for a single reference source, covering more material, with a simpler-looking approach to each item.

I would rather have given this book 4.5 stars. The only drawback to me is that I wish there were more illustrations/pictures in here. The ones that are in here are fascinating but I would have loved seeing more. There are more Norse terms in here than I could have imagined and the definitions are well written.

Focused primarily on Norse sources, Andy Orchard's handbook provides additional information that the other two dictionaries (see links below) lack in areas of Anglo-Saxon sources and the heroic poems and sagas. For example, Barnstokkr only receives an entry in Orchard's dictionary. Orchard also seems to provide the best etymologies (and more of them) than the other two dictionaries, and even includes some very handy name lists towards the end of the work.

On the down side, the entries can be a little short and a little too brief in comparison to the other two dictionaries, and as a result this work is the thinnest of the three.

As I've pointed out above, this is (as of the time of writing this) one of three English language dictionaries covering Germanic mythology and paganism. All are of independent value to those with a serious interest in the subject matter, and I recommend getting a hold of all three. The other two are:

John Lindow's "Dictionary of Norse mythology"
Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

Rudolf Simek's "Dictionary of Northern Mythology":
Dictionary of Northern Mythology

This first-rate compiliation is now (2003) available, under the slightly different title of "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend," as a mass-market paperback (which I have reviewed at length), in addition to the trade paperback and hardcover editions listed under the titles of "Dictionary..." and "Cassell Dictionary...". If all of these are available through Amazon, purchasers will probably want to compare prices, and consider the durability of the various formats. Another factor some will want to consider is that the original hardcover edition (and I believe the trade edition) contained about forty illustrations, which were omitted from the mass-market edition.

Since the mass-market paperback is the edition in print, however, I strongly suggest checking that page before ordering. And if you are already familiar with the volume, and definitely want the larger format, you probably don't need my advice.

This first-rate compiliation is now (2003) available, under the slightly different title of "Cassell's Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend," as a mass-market paperback (which I have reviewed at length), in addition to the trade paperback and hardcover editions listed under the titles of "Dictionary..." and "Cassell Dictionary...". If all of these are available through Amazon, purchasers will probably want to compare prices, and consider the durability of the various formats. Another factor some will want to consider is that the original hardcover edition (and I believe the trade edition) contained about forty illustrations, which were omitted from the mass-market edition.

Since the mass-market paperback is the edition in print, however, I strongly suggest checking that page before ordering. And if you are already familiar with the volume, and definitely want the larger format, you probably don't need my advice.

My husband had this book in a larger dimentional size of paperback, and we both were constantly referring to it. It is most invaluable as a reference to all things "Norse". I prefer the larger, easier to access, book it was originally formatted in, but this book contains all the very same information. It's just in a small paperback size.

I took a Norse mythology course last quarter, and this was the only dictionary I could find on the subject at the time in all of the bookstores I visited. But if I could only find one dictionary of Norse mythology, this would be the one to find. The definitions are straightforward yet thorough. It's not an encyclopedia, so don't expect it to provide all the known details about a particular character or term, but it does give you a clear and complete definition that includes the important details and information.

It also has a sturdy cover and thick pages that hold up well to being frequently used and carried around in a bookbag.

Note: search under author's name for new paperback edition under a slightly different title.

The Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend by Andy Orchard, published in 1997 by Cassell, ISBN 0 304 34520 2, is also excellent. Despite the title, it also has entries on terms from non-Norse areas of the Germanic world. It is a somewhat larger book in terms of page size, and very nearly gives the impression of being a coffee table book. It is very attractive and is illustrated, howbeit not lavishly, with black and white photos. However, it is only 223 pages in length. It also has bibliographical information after the individual entries, but these are coded and you have to look them up in the back.

This book is a very useful book for those delving into Norse Mythology. I checked it out from the library and kept renewing it until they wouldn't let me renew it anymore. This book is a reference, not a place to read mythology. If you're looking up one of Odin's names, looking for the name of a frost giant, or trying to figure out what Harbard's Flyting is, then this book is for you. Looking through it, you may discover little known bits of Norse Mythology and where to read further.

Sadly, this book is out-of-print. It took a long while for a copy to show up on Amazon, but I was very happy when it did.