Customer Reviews

Hammer of Thor - Norse Mythology and Legends - Special Edition

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I recently purchased this book in order to read deeper into the Norse mythology. The book was presented as setting the myths and legends in their historical context. The book is broken down into sections. It begins with the creation myths and proceeds to address each deity and set them in their historical context. It also discusses the worship of these deities and how the worship impacted the daily lives of the people.

While on the surface this book appears to be a unique approach to the mythology there is a problem that I had with the work as a whole. I can accept the author's attempt to assign symbolism to various aspects of the mythology and figures. For example, the death of Balder being in some ways symbolic of the death of summer leading into winter. What I was unable to accept was the fact that the author was approaching the subject from a Christian viewpoint. Using the same myth as an example, the author explains that Hodur, being the god of "darkness" and being blind was symbolic of sin separating man from the light of "God" and blinding him. The killing of Balder by Hodur was symbolic of how sin separates man from "God". Then she proceeded to explain that Loki "being a personification of Lucifer" caused Hodur to throw the mistletoe sprig at Balder and that is symbolic of Lucifer tempting man and leading him into sin.

To say that this was the intent of the original myths is problematic at best. It is a gross attempt at revisionist history at worst. The author seems intent on ignoring the fact that at the time the myths and legends were originally told, Christianity had not yet been brought to the Norse cultures. The concepts of sin, redemption through Christ and the idea of a being called Lucifer were unknown to the Norse people.

Further the author's continued use of the word "ignorant" to describe the people who held to the pre-Christian beliefs of the Norse is at best insulting. At worst, it seems to be an attempt to argue the superiority of one set of beliefs over another.

In my opinion, to proclaim this book as a work that attempts to set the Norse myths in their historical context is misleading. Rather, I feel it should be marketed as a Christian perspective on the myths and legends. Overall, I purchased this book with high hopes of reading a well thought out, well presented scholarly work. I must say I was extremely disappointed by the way in which the author approached her subject.

The author says right up front that this book may not go along with the "common", "preferred", or "accepted" school's of thought regarding the history that surrounds the Norsemen and the Norse Mythology, and religion's role in both. It takes a step back, takes a fresh breath of air, and a fresh look at all of these from a different -albeit legitamate- perspective. At first I thought I wouldn't like it; however, after reading it, I have a new found respect for, and appreciation of, the Norse Mythology and the Norse peoples of our ancestry.