Rhinegold [Hardcover]

Stephen Grundy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1994

As warbands harry the coast of northern Europe in the throes of change, a hoard of gold becomes the spark that ignites the flame of bloodshed for two clans whose destinies are interwoven.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Grundy's epic first novel, which takes its name from Wagner but the bulk of its plot from the Norse Volsunga Saga , does a skillful job of handling the youth of Sigifrith, his revenge for his father Sigimund's death and his battle with the dragon Fadhmir. Even better is the grisly, intriguing portrayal of Sigimund, his twin Sigilind and their child Sinfjotli, all caught in one of those horrid Norse nets of revenge and counter-revenge. Unfortunately, once Sigifrith has gained his fame and ventures among the Burgundians (Gundahari, Gundrun and Hagan), the pace slows. It's not entirely the author's fault: the Volsunga Saga isn't concerned with the legal complexities that underlie and undermine Wotan's power, so Grundy doesn't have the frisson of a Gotterdammerung for an ending--just Huns slaughtering Burgundians and Burgundians returning the favor. Still, his more historical approach in the novel's last third clots the story with extraneous names and events that mute the legend's impact. In addition, Grundy's dialogue often seems inappropriate to his generally skaldic narrative. ("Muspell, shit. I heard there's a dwarf-sized smith on the Rhine who's forging 'em.") On balance, though, this is a good rousing read.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Grundy's first novel, a truly mammoth retelling of the same Germanic legends that inspired Wagner's famous Ring Cycle, illustrates why one shouldn't throw stones at otters or attract the attention of Wodan. For in this multigenerational tale, Wodan raises each of the Walsings to great might, then repeatedly betrays his chosen. The theme of revenge also prevails, as each new Walsing attempts to right the wrong done to his father. Battle descriptions are subdued, with the emphasis placed on the plotting and planning of the main characters. The reader will have to put up with a variety of Germanic words and phrases, but a glossary and a map (not seen) are included. Not a particularly great book, but nonetheless a good, solid read.
- Robert A. Curtis, Taylor Memorial P.L., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 721 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; First Edition edition (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553095455
• ISBN-13: 978-0553095456
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,168,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book for a certain mindset., December 2, 2001

By 

Brighid N "Brighid" (In a Valley, in a Canyon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhinegold (Hardcover)

I deeply enjoyed and appreciated "Rheingold" when I first read it. It's a well worded retelling of the myths, to be sure. But the main strength here is the sincerity and devotion to detail. Grundy writes as one who respects and knows the people and Gods that the myths deal with. One probably needs to be Forn Sidh/Asatru to fully sympathize with the spirit this book is writen in. True, the Gods are presented mythically as well as mystically, but the devout will approach this book with holy recognition. At the least, one should have a background in migration era Teutonic culture to see the well used details.

True, Grundy will probably never be as good a writer as Wagner was a musician. But Wagner's christianized, Romanticized, bowdlerized wanna-be Ring Cycle plot is far flatter than the mythic awe Grundy compells. (I love HEARING the Ring Cycle, but the libretto is egregious.) What Wagner treated with sublimated condescention, Grundy exposes and reverently handles. That alone is worth the ticket for those who see the greater truths in the stories.

If one is looking for a "sword and sorcery" romp, "Rheingold" is bound to be a disappointment. Many historical novel types will probably be neutral on it's metaphysical emphasis as well. It's a specific and special audience that will understand "Rheingold"'s importance.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Looks like ya either love it or hate it....and I love it!, April 13, 2000

By 

Rachel Watkins "Rachel Watkins" (Joshua, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rhinegold (Hardcover)

I've read all the reviews here thus far and now figure that you either love it or hate it. I loved it as well as the sequal Atillas treasure. I can see how the charachters can get tiresome as some of the reviews have said, but Grundy is also working from the Nebeilungelied here and has made a good atempt to stick to Myth.

You may also be intererrested to know that this author has writen other books about Asatru(norse religion) under another penname.....the books are Teutonic Religion and Teutonic Magic. I reccomend both of those although his style is a bit flowery on the rituals for my taste.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great adventure/tragedy on a Germanic scale., November 22, 2003

By 

"redober" (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rhinegold (Hardcover)

I love this book.It was the first book on mythology that I ever read.For me it has a special place in my heart.At times of great tragedy of wagnerian proportions in my life I find myself turning to this book.I am just reading it again after about 8 years and still enjoying every minute of it.It reminds as that today we need a hero of Sigifreids scale.Top class story telling