Tales of the Norse Gods (Oxford Myths and Legends) [Paperback]

Barbara Leonie Picard (Adapter), Joan Kiddell-Monroe (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 1994 | Series: Oxford Myths and Legends

The Vikings told many stories of their gods: mighty Odin; Thor the god of thunder; gentle Freya; and Loki the mischief-maker and the tricks he played. In the stories, the gods are forced to always strive against the hated giants, who symbolize the pitiless northern snows and the grim mountains. These exciting and dramatic tales open with the beginning of all things, and follow the story through to the gods' final battle against the forces of winter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Picard brings to life the wondrous tales of Thor, Odin, Loki, and the other fantastic inhabitants of Asgard and Valhalla and tells of their heroic deeds and colorful adventures, once more bringing these timeless tales alive for the reader to enjoy.... Picard shows just why these tales have survived even into modern times."--Sing Out!

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (October 6, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192741675
• ISBN-13: 978-0192741677
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,901,196 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun to read, May 12, 2007

By 

William C. Schell (Scott AFB, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tales of the Norse Gods (Oxford Myths and Legends) (Paperback)

After reading the mythos of several different countries, to include Egypt, China, and Japan, I've come to the conclusion that the Mythos of the Norsemen is perhaps, the most fun and enjoyable to read. I especially enjoyed the tale of why there are so many bad poets in the world. Irony, you got it. Symbolism, that too. Recommend to anyone who is just interested or who is interested in myth. The stories have a life on to themselves.

Cheers!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for the ages, September 12, 2008

By 

Kevis Hendrickson (Miami, Fl) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tales of the Norse Gods (Oxford Myths and Legends) (Paperback)

Without a doubt, this is easily one of the best retellings of Norse Mythology I've come across (and I've read quite a few!). By accident, I discovered this book in my elementary school library when I was a child and never forgot the profound influence it had on my life. This is the book that cemented my love of mythology!

The Norse myths are some of the greatest collection of tales and legends ever written by man. Where the Greek Gods are cruel and remote, the gods populating Norse mythology are more akin to the human race than their Mediterranean counterparts. I find it much easier to believe in the nobility of a god like Thor who simply loves to drink and fight than let's say Zeus who goes around in the form of animals seducing the wives of both men and gods. Or how about Odin who cares so deeply for the welfare of humanity that he gives up an eye in order to discover the means to protect them from a coming Apocalypse? Compare that to Athena who cruelly transformed a young girl into a spider simply because she challenged her to a weaving contest?

The imagination of the ancient Norse skalds was as impressive as any of the Greek Poets, if not more so. In Tales of the Norse Gods one can expect to read about the feats of mighty gods who waged war against the powerful Frost giants as well as all the passions and jealousies that drove them.

Tales of the Norse Gods is a terrific book and highly recommended. It is definitely a book for the ages.

2.0 out of 5 stars Uninspired, August 22, 2009

By 

Ralph Padgug (California, US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales of the Norse Gods (Oxford Myths and Legends) (Paperback)

I'm sorry to disagree with the other reviews, but Tales of the Norse Gods was a big disappointment. I've read (too long ago for me to remember titles) other accounts of Norse mythology that were utterly captivating.

This book starts fairly well with a somewhat interesting version of the creation. After that, the stories are written in a perfunctory manner, with absolutely no charm, no vivid character portrayals and no drama. There is also no connection between them, just one blah account after another, like reading newspaper articles of things that never happened. Upon finishing each story, I'm left with "What was the point??"

Although I suppose the material is authentic, this is not good story-telling.