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Why Odin Drinks #0.5
Creation
Creation: a Humorous Norse Mythology Retelling.
In the beginning there was confusion.
Ever woken up being a God, but not knowing how to God properly? Your brothers keep creating mosquitoes and celery and other, more threatening weapons. What can your ultimate answer be – the one that will make you THE All-Father and them, at best, the All-Those-Uncles-We-Don’t-Talk-About?
“FML! That answer’s why I drink!” – Odin
In the beginning there was confusion.
Ever woken up being a God, but not knowing how to God properly? Your brothers keep creating mosquitoes and celery and other, more threatening weapons. What can your ultimate answer be – the one that will make you THE All-Father and them, at best, the All-Those-Uncles-We-Don’t-Talk-About?
“FML! That answer’s why I drink!” – Odin
86 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2021
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Bjørn Larssen
7 books153 followersBjørn Larssen is a Norse heathen made in Poland, but mostly located in a Dutch suburb, except for his heart which he lost in Iceland. Born in 1977, he self-published his first graphic novel at the age of seven in a limited edition of one, following this achievement several decades later with his first book containing multiple sentences and winning awards he didn’t design himself. His writing is described as ‘dark’ and ‘literary’, but he remains incapable of taking anything seriously for more than 60 seconds.
Bjørn has a degree in mathematics and has worked as a graphic designer, a model, a bartender, and a blacksmith (not all at the same time). His hobbies include sitting by open fires, dressing like an extra from Vikings, installing operating systems, and dreaming about living in a log cabin in the north of Iceland. He owns one (1) husband and is owned by one (1) neighbourhood cat.
Bjørn has a degree in mathematics and has worked as a graphic designer, a model, a bartender, and a blacksmith (not all at the same time). His hobbies include sitting by open fires, dressing like an extra from Vikings, installing operating systems, and dreaming about living in a log cabin in the north of Iceland. He owns one (1) husband and is owned by one (1) neighbourhood cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
September 5, 2021
Is Larssen’s Norse creation tale hilarious and laugh-out-loud funny? Sure is. But, it’s not like it’s insightful about the human condition or anything…oh, wait. Crap. It IS actually pretty insightful. But, still, Larssen certainly can’t balance cheeky humor with poignant moments of feeling—that would be far too…huh? He did that too? Well, I’ll be a whisker-faced carp—he sure did.
Damn. That guy is GOOD.
Life is better when you experience delights. Creation is a delight.
Damn. That guy is GOOD.
Life is better when you experience delights. Creation is a delight.
July 24, 2021
I’ve rarely laughed as much as I did while reading Bjørn Larssen's take on Norse creation. And, I think if we all woke up with only a tree looming over us, nothing making any sense, and two brothers who enjoy aesthetics (or, ass-thetics, apologies) more than figuring out "what the Audhumla is going on?” we’d drink, also.
Creation is simultaneously hilarious, absurd, and chilling. We are plunged into literal confusion along with Odin as chaos happens around him, beyond his control.
The banter between the brothers is downright sidesplitting comedic gold, especially arguments over wolves, mosquitos (the nerve), and celery.
The brothers continually create bigger, better inventions, trapping Odin in a storm of chaos vs order, as he keeps just trying to figure all this god stuff out.
With Creation, Bjørn Larssen isn’t afraid to examine the mysteries of our own existence through Odin’s existential dread—who are we? What’s our purpose? Are we just food? You know, the lovely questions to ponder at midnight while waiting for sleep.
Creation is a brilliant read—witty, poignant, and, at times, terrifying. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys satire, Terry Pratchett, or Monty Python type humor and hijinks.
I can’t wait for the next installment in this new series!
Creation is simultaneously hilarious, absurd, and chilling. We are plunged into literal confusion along with Odin as chaos happens around him, beyond his control.
The banter between the brothers is downright sidesplitting comedic gold, especially arguments over wolves, mosquitos (the nerve), and celery.
The brothers continually create bigger, better inventions, trapping Odin in a storm of chaos vs order, as he keeps just trying to figure all this god stuff out.
With Creation, Bjørn Larssen isn’t afraid to examine the mysteries of our own existence through Odin’s existential dread—who are we? What’s our purpose? Are we just food? You know, the lovely questions to ponder at midnight while waiting for sleep.
Creation is a brilliant read—witty, poignant, and, at times, terrifying. I’d highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys satire, Terry Pratchett, or Monty Python type humor and hijinks.
I can’t wait for the next installment in this new series!
October 14, 2021
I read Bjørn Larssen's debut novel, Storytellers, which made some references to Norse gods and featured a certain subtle humour in places. I also read his second novel, Children, which is about the children of Norse gods and contains far more funny bits. I've read many of his blog posts and follow him on Twitter; the conclusion I've come to is that Mr Larssen is a terrific comedic writer, first and foremost, so I'm delighted that he's actually written A FUNNY BOOK!
Creation is a novella, a slim paperback (beautifully presented), is hilarious, and made me laugh out loud on several occasions, which books rarely do. It's about Odin and his brothers, Vili and Vé, creating the world. Except they're not very good at it and don't really understand what they're doing. They wonder how to get the food out of Audhumla the cow, why words like 'anvil' 'laptop' and 'algebra' keep popping into their heads, how the flying water happened and why the wolf bit off the peacock's head. Odin discovers that, along with man and woman, he has created irony.
I think it's the sort of book you find screamingly funny or you don't, depending on your sense of humour. I echo the words of Bjørn's husband, when he finished reading it: 'When can I get more?'
Creation is a novella, a slim paperback (beautifully presented), is hilarious, and made me laugh out loud on several occasions, which books rarely do. It's about Odin and his brothers, Vili and Vé, creating the world. Except they're not very good at it and don't really understand what they're doing. They wonder how to get the food out of Audhumla the cow, why words like 'anvil' 'laptop' and 'algebra' keep popping into their heads, how the flying water happened and why the wolf bit off the peacock's head. Odin discovers that, along with man and woman, he has created irony.
I think it's the sort of book you find screamingly funny or you don't, depending on your sense of humour. I echo the words of Bjørn's husband, when he finished reading it: 'When can I get more?'
January 3, 2022
Creation sees Bjorn Larssen taking his inspiration once more from the Norse gods, a theme he previously tackled in his grimdark retelling of Norse mythology in the novel Children, which was released in 2020. Published in 2021, Creation might feature some of the same characters found in Children but it’s obvious from the gorgeous front cover that this is a different series. Creation is a comedy novella, where the Norse gods Odin and his brothers Ve and Vili find themselves … somewhere … Amid a sea of confusion they have to rapidly figure out how to make the various somethings and someones needed fill it all.
The result is a comic farce as the new gods learn to god properly, indulging in a flurry of random creation mixed with total naïvety. The chaos of wolves mingling with peacocks and butterflies is but a foretaste of what happens when humans arrive on the scene – their bickering enough to drive Odin to drink (as soon as he’s figured out how to create wine).
Creation is packed with great quotes and these should give you a flavour of the novella:
“If music had been invented by now, it would have been ominous.”
“As man and woman bickered on their way into the still smoking woods, Odin closed his eyes and finally invented counting to ten …”
Larssen also cleverly mixes in knowing pop-culture references, touches on the darker side of humanity and doesn’t miss the opportunity to take a shot at wider issues as well:
“Who needed things that had completely no use apart from looking pretty? This nonsense needed to stop before Vili began to insist that his “art” had some sort of value, then demanded to be rewarded for it.”
Every page is packed with fun ideas, snappy one-liners and comedic situations. Blink and you’ll miss a bus load. Some are subtle, while at other times Larssen indulges in broad brush toilet gags and sexual humour. At times I was almost having to read the book through a small gap between my fingers. With so much material at his disposal, I think it’s inevitable some jokes will work for some people and not for others. That’s fine, though, and it ensures Creation is anything but a one-joke book.
Overall, I think Larssen is a gifted and versatile writer and he judges Creation just right. At under 100 pages, this is a swift read and that’s a good thing. The problem with a humorous book is the joke can wear a bit thin after a while. Larssen knows when to stop, leaving the reader wanting more. It’s just as well the follow up to Creation, Wisdom, should be out later in 2022, featuring a trio of stories in the same vein. If Creation is anything to go by, that should be a fun ride.
The result is a comic farce as the new gods learn to god properly, indulging in a flurry of random creation mixed with total naïvety. The chaos of wolves mingling with peacocks and butterflies is but a foretaste of what happens when humans arrive on the scene – their bickering enough to drive Odin to drink (as soon as he’s figured out how to create wine).
Creation is packed with great quotes and these should give you a flavour of the novella:
“If music had been invented by now, it would have been ominous.”
“As man and woman bickered on their way into the still smoking woods, Odin closed his eyes and finally invented counting to ten …”
Larssen also cleverly mixes in knowing pop-culture references, touches on the darker side of humanity and doesn’t miss the opportunity to take a shot at wider issues as well:
“Who needed things that had completely no use apart from looking pretty? This nonsense needed to stop before Vili began to insist that his “art” had some sort of value, then demanded to be rewarded for it.”
Every page is packed with fun ideas, snappy one-liners and comedic situations. Blink and you’ll miss a bus load. Some are subtle, while at other times Larssen indulges in broad brush toilet gags and sexual humour. At times I was almost having to read the book through a small gap between my fingers. With so much material at his disposal, I think it’s inevitable some jokes will work for some people and not for others. That’s fine, though, and it ensures Creation is anything but a one-joke book.
Overall, I think Larssen is a gifted and versatile writer and he judges Creation just right. At under 100 pages, this is a swift read and that’s a good thing. The problem with a humorous book is the joke can wear a bit thin after a while. Larssen knows when to stop, leaving the reader wanting more. It’s just as well the follow up to Creation, Wisdom, should be out later in 2022, featuring a trio of stories in the same vein. If Creation is anything to go by, that should be a fun ride.
September 13, 2021
I received a copy of Creation in exchange for an honest review. See the full review at https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
“In the beginning, a God opened his eyes and sat up, utterly confused.”
Thus opens Creation, Bjørn Larssen’s latest take on Norse mythology. Tongue firmly in cheek, this self-professed heathen riffs on godhood, omnipotence, and what would happen if a few drunk uncles went on a bender on the blank canvas of the universe.
Spoilers, they’d invent chickens.
And then they’d invent the ‘containers’ chickens give birth to.
Let go and roll with the madness, dear readers, because that is the kind of ride you are in for with Creation. Off-kilter in the best way possible, Creation is a book where the punches (and punchlines) just keep coming. Peopled by three gods trying to fumble their way into creating everything, and a cow that’s pretty certain she wants to keep the food inside her on the inside, Larrsen has a page turner on his hands. At under 70 pages, Creation is short enough to read in a single sitting, but worth savoring for those of us who like to mull over our comedy a bit.
Or read it in one go and be eager for more. Apparently this is only the first in a whole series called Why Odin Drinks— if most of his days are like the ones described by Larssen, I don’t blame him!
“In the beginning, a God opened his eyes and sat up, utterly confused.”
Thus opens Creation, Bjørn Larssen’s latest take on Norse mythology. Tongue firmly in cheek, this self-professed heathen riffs on godhood, omnipotence, and what would happen if a few drunk uncles went on a bender on the blank canvas of the universe.
Spoilers, they’d invent chickens.
And then they’d invent the ‘containers’ chickens give birth to.
Let go and roll with the madness, dear readers, because that is the kind of ride you are in for with Creation. Off-kilter in the best way possible, Creation is a book where the punches (and punchlines) just keep coming. Peopled by three gods trying to fumble their way into creating everything, and a cow that’s pretty certain she wants to keep the food inside her on the inside, Larrsen has a page turner on his hands. At under 70 pages, Creation is short enough to read in a single sitting, but worth savoring for those of us who like to mull over our comedy a bit.
Or read it in one go and be eager for more. Apparently this is only the first in a whole series called Why Odin Drinks— if most of his days are like the ones described by Larssen, I don’t blame him!
September 16, 2021
What would it be like if you were a god, created everything, and still didn't know what the hec was going on? What if your equally ignorant (yet creative) fellow god-brothers have no clue about how to solve hunger pains, why they have smaller, less plentiful "dispensers" than cows, and how they can survive night-time, thinking the setting of the sun means the apocalypse?
If you think all this sounds preposterous, laughable, and something you have to read, that's because it is! Welcome to the farcical, fantastic, and still often horrifying world of "Creation", "Why Odin Drinks - Part One", 75 pages of sheer, outrageous brilliance by the frighteningly talented Bjorn Larssen.
If after hearing all this, you think the novella "Creation" delves into Norse Mythology in a completely incongruous way, think again. This is part of the genius of Larssen, a man who knows his Baldrs from his Bragis. Larssen's research into Norse Legend is impeccable and meticulous. Just ask Steven T. Dunn, an educator with a Master's in Medical History and Norse Studies, who provides an endorsement for the novella. Larssen's hilarious take on the Norse creation checks all the "authenticity" boxes, including featuring first humans Ask and Embla.
Yet, despite its historicity, this is a comedy of errors at its delicious best. Don't read this book unless you are in company that is alright with you howling out loud with laughter. The three gods are bumbling, stumbling, idiotic, and its freaking hilarious.
Odin wants to be the leader of the group, but can't figure out how to milk a cow. The story is told from his perspective. Somehow, in three-quarters of 100 pages, Larssen manages to bring such realism to Odin and his brothers, and paint their individual personalities, that you will get a real sense for exactly what each other the brother's motivations are, and how they differ from one another.
I don't want to spoil the incredible lines in the novella, but I just have to note on of my favourite passages:
"As things were, the stream quieted..Sun seemed to shine less bright. Danger was in the air...'What is that?' Odin cried, waving his hands around in terror, trying to drive away the attackers. Ve just screamed wordlessly, slapping and slamming the air, some of which suddenly visible and silently spun, danced, slashed. Fast, ruthless colourful chunks of Gods' inevitable doom. 'This is called "Ragnarok"'," Odin's last thought. 'Butterflies,' said Vili, grinning. 'Sorry', Odin's previous thought added sheepishly. 'I really thought I was the last one. Carry on.'"
Watching the clumsy embarrassment of the three gods, as they try to one-up each other in terms of how useful their creations are, and are terrified by the most innocuous things they create, makes for some amazing satire, and few fantasy writers can do this quite the way Larssen does it. Larssen mixes the dark and harrowing with the lampoon flawlessly.
The Pratchett and Adams comparisons you will hear when Larssen's name is spoken about with great esteem in fantasy circles is for a reason. Larssen is extremely gifted and if you have not read him yet, you really should! "Creation" is a triumph, and packs a huge punch for something you can read cover to cover in a couple of hours or less.
I can't wait for the next part of Odin's journey in Part Two!
If you think all this sounds preposterous, laughable, and something you have to read, that's because it is! Welcome to the farcical, fantastic, and still often horrifying world of "Creation", "Why Odin Drinks - Part One", 75 pages of sheer, outrageous brilliance by the frighteningly talented Bjorn Larssen.
If after hearing all this, you think the novella "Creation" delves into Norse Mythology in a completely incongruous way, think again. This is part of the genius of Larssen, a man who knows his Baldrs from his Bragis. Larssen's research into Norse Legend is impeccable and meticulous. Just ask Steven T. Dunn, an educator with a Master's in Medical History and Norse Studies, who provides an endorsement for the novella. Larssen's hilarious take on the Norse creation checks all the "authenticity" boxes, including featuring first humans Ask and Embla.
Yet, despite its historicity, this is a comedy of errors at its delicious best. Don't read this book unless you are in company that is alright with you howling out loud with laughter. The three gods are bumbling, stumbling, idiotic, and its freaking hilarious.
Odin wants to be the leader of the group, but can't figure out how to milk a cow. The story is told from his perspective. Somehow, in three-quarters of 100 pages, Larssen manages to bring such realism to Odin and his brothers, and paint their individual personalities, that you will get a real sense for exactly what each other the brother's motivations are, and how they differ from one another.
I don't want to spoil the incredible lines in the novella, but I just have to note on of my favourite passages:
"As things were, the stream quieted..Sun seemed to shine less bright. Danger was in the air...'What is that?' Odin cried, waving his hands around in terror, trying to drive away the attackers. Ve just screamed wordlessly, slapping and slamming the air, some of which suddenly visible and silently spun, danced, slashed. Fast, ruthless colourful chunks of Gods' inevitable doom. 'This is called "Ragnarok"'," Odin's last thought. 'Butterflies,' said Vili, grinning. 'Sorry', Odin's previous thought added sheepishly. 'I really thought I was the last one. Carry on.'"
Watching the clumsy embarrassment of the three gods, as they try to one-up each other in terms of how useful their creations are, and are terrified by the most innocuous things they create, makes for some amazing satire, and few fantasy writers can do this quite the way Larssen does it. Larssen mixes the dark and harrowing with the lampoon flawlessly.
The Pratchett and Adams comparisons you will hear when Larssen's name is spoken about with great esteem in fantasy circles is for a reason. Larssen is extremely gifted and if you have not read him yet, you really should! "Creation" is a triumph, and packs a huge punch for something you can read cover to cover in a couple of hours or less.
I can't wait for the next part of Odin's journey in Part Two!
November 5, 2021
I was sent a complimentary copy of Creation: Why Odin Drinks #1 by Bjørn Larssen as part of my participation in a blog tour for this title with Storyteller on Tour. Thank you so much to Bjørn and the SoT team for this opportunity! My thoughts are my own and my review is honest.
You know that phrase "I wasn't born yesterday?" Neither was Odin. He was born today! Along with brothers Vé and Vili, these newly minted gods have been unleashed on an empty world and it's time to start creating, well, everything. What could go wrong?
Oh my goodness, Bjørn please write faster, I need more of this! This is Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett level dry humour that does not stop hitting. It manages to remain quite true to traditional Norse mythology and classic portrayals of Odin, The Allfather, while still having a heck of a lot of fun and taking a lot of artistic license with the storytelling. I absolutely share Odin's opinion of celery and I love the ass-thetics of the peacock. In fact, the whole variety of birds creation scene was one of my favourites. So many jokes in such a small space as not one but two species of flightless flappy armed species were created (the other being the chicken) and the concept of egg-laying came into existence. I'm dying of laughter just thinking about it again!
Perhaps more important than the humour though (and that's not to say humour isn't important,) Creation explores the human (godly?) emotions of being a new soul in a strange world, being the leader of the world's first rendition of the three stooges, and watching one's own creations get out of hand. I'm not much of a drinker myself, but I completely understand Odin's need to drink. I would too. And no, it wouldn't be celery juice.
Thanks again to Storytellers on Tour for organizing this tour and dropping that invite email in my inbox and thank you to Bjørn for writing such a gem and sending a copy my way! I'll be bringing this along with me at Christmas and forcing it on my mother.
If you like mythology retellings, humour, satire, and all-things Norse, this needs to be your next read!
You know that phrase "I wasn't born yesterday?" Neither was Odin. He was born today! Along with brothers Vé and Vili, these newly minted gods have been unleashed on an empty world and it's time to start creating, well, everything. What could go wrong?
Oh my goodness, Bjørn please write faster, I need more of this! This is Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett level dry humour that does not stop hitting. It manages to remain quite true to traditional Norse mythology and classic portrayals of Odin, The Allfather, while still having a heck of a lot of fun and taking a lot of artistic license with the storytelling. I absolutely share Odin's opinion of celery and I love the ass-thetics of the peacock. In fact, the whole variety of birds creation scene was one of my favourites. So many jokes in such a small space as not one but two species of flightless flappy armed species were created (the other being the chicken) and the concept of egg-laying came into existence. I'm dying of laughter just thinking about it again!
Perhaps more important than the humour though (and that's not to say humour isn't important,) Creation explores the human (godly?) emotions of being a new soul in a strange world, being the leader of the world's first rendition of the three stooges, and watching one's own creations get out of hand. I'm not much of a drinker myself, but I completely understand Odin's need to drink. I would too. And no, it wouldn't be celery juice.
Thanks again to Storytellers on Tour for organizing this tour and dropping that invite email in my inbox and thank you to Bjørn for writing such a gem and sending a copy my way! I'll be bringing this along with me at Christmas and forcing it on my mother.
If you like mythology retellings, humour, satire, and all-things Norse, this needs to be your next read!
November 3, 2021
I gotta be honest, I’m not all that familiar with Norse mythology or their creation myths. The closest I’ve got is playing Skyrim, and I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count. But this month is Norsevember, a celebration of all things Norse, and if I can trust anyone to introduce me to the world of Norse lore, then it has to be Bjørn Larssen!
Creation takes these Norse creation myths, as you may deduce from the title, and introduces them in a playful and witty way that had me tearing through the pages thanks to Larssen’s smooth prose. The story is about the birth of three gods: Odin and his brothers. They’ve literally popped into existence and don’t have a clue what it’s all about. As they stumble their way through their first day, they begin to imagine and invent things as they go along, leading to the birth of such amazing things as gravel and trees and less amazing things like celery.
This is where the playful part comes in: these newly born gods are like kids fighting over toys, only they’re playing with the building blocks of reality as they try to understand exactly what being alive means, and what a world would need to make itself sustainable. The gods are also like squabbling siblings, with one god wishing to create art with clouds and butterflies, and the other taking a more destructive path by designing wolves and fire. Their conflict is destined to end badly, and poor Odin is caught in the middle.
Odin, then, makes a fantastic main character who struggles to adapt to his new reality, his sibling rivalry, and all the pain, joy, and fear that comes with being alive. Not only does he need to figure out how cows and people work, but by creating these beings, he also feels responsible for them. There are a few philosophical quandaries in this book, as Odin wrestles with his godhood and what it means.
Despite all the subtle nods to the Norse myth that is likely lost on me, Creation doesn’t need you to have a background in Norse mythology to enjoy it. I delighted in the relationships between the brothers and their escapades and the clever way that Larssen introduces thoughts and concepts. I’ve often wondered what it would be like for a god to create their own world, and this book certainly gives me an imaginative insight into how a god would go about learning and understanding as they create. In the end, it’s all very human and as ridiculous as we are!
Satire can sometimes be a subjective taste, but I certainly had a laugh at this truly exasperated god.
Creation takes these Norse creation myths, as you may deduce from the title, and introduces them in a playful and witty way that had me tearing through the pages thanks to Larssen’s smooth prose. The story is about the birth of three gods: Odin and his brothers. They’ve literally popped into existence and don’t have a clue what it’s all about. As they stumble their way through their first day, they begin to imagine and invent things as they go along, leading to the birth of such amazing things as gravel and trees and less amazing things like celery.
This is where the playful part comes in: these newly born gods are like kids fighting over toys, only they’re playing with the building blocks of reality as they try to understand exactly what being alive means, and what a world would need to make itself sustainable. The gods are also like squabbling siblings, with one god wishing to create art with clouds and butterflies, and the other taking a more destructive path by designing wolves and fire. Their conflict is destined to end badly, and poor Odin is caught in the middle.
Odin, then, makes a fantastic main character who struggles to adapt to his new reality, his sibling rivalry, and all the pain, joy, and fear that comes with being alive. Not only does he need to figure out how cows and people work, but by creating these beings, he also feels responsible for them. There are a few philosophical quandaries in this book, as Odin wrestles with his godhood and what it means.
Despite all the subtle nods to the Norse myth that is likely lost on me, Creation doesn’t need you to have a background in Norse mythology to enjoy it. I delighted in the relationships between the brothers and their escapades and the clever way that Larssen introduces thoughts and concepts. I’ve often wondered what it would be like for a god to create their own world, and this book certainly gives me an imaginative insight into how a god would go about learning and understanding as they create. In the end, it’s all very human and as ridiculous as we are!
Satire can sometimes be a subjective taste, but I certainly had a laugh at this truly exasperated god.
July 30, 2021
I read a digital ARC of Creation sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review - thank you Bjørn!
Creation is a short novella, which details the creation of everything by Norse god Odin, and his brothers Vili and Ve. Its irreverent humour is refreshing and makes for many laugh out loud moments. It was an absolute blast to read!
The three gods are new to the world and to creating things, they are learning as they go along. Tripping over tree roots and one-upping each other in terms of the size of the creations they make. These gods are getting carried away with their newly discovered skills and creating all manner of things just because they can: a tree with needles instead of leaves that throws cone things down onto your head as you pass underneath? Why? Who needs that?
Celery? No one appreciates that one.
Odin tries to restore some kind of order over the proceedings and gets increasingly frustrated!
Determined to do better than his brother’s invention of celery to put an end to his hunger, Odin invents a cow: “You can drink from it.” he pronounces much to the cow’s consternation. When he adds that you can wrap it’s skin around you to keep warm and eat what’s inside, the cow’s outrage increases.
Odin philosophizes about what makes a thing alive and whether it is OK to eat such things. Vili continues making pretty things and Ve makes things that cause pain and destruction. Chaos ensues until a tragedy occurs and gives the gods pause. Then Odin turns introspective while considering that actions have consequences - even those of the gods…
Bjørn Larssen is a very talented comedic writer. His timing is perfect and the hilarity flows so well that you can read this novella in one sitting. This is the funniest book I’ve read for a long time and belongs on the shelves with Pratchett and Adams. If you are a fan of surreal, absurd humour you will love it! I cannot wait to read the next installment in this series.
Creation is a short novella, which details the creation of everything by Norse god Odin, and his brothers Vili and Ve. Its irreverent humour is refreshing and makes for many laugh out loud moments. It was an absolute blast to read!
The three gods are new to the world and to creating things, they are learning as they go along. Tripping over tree roots and one-upping each other in terms of the size of the creations they make. These gods are getting carried away with their newly discovered skills and creating all manner of things just because they can: a tree with needles instead of leaves that throws cone things down onto your head as you pass underneath? Why? Who needs that?
Celery? No one appreciates that one.
Odin tries to restore some kind of order over the proceedings and gets increasingly frustrated!
Determined to do better than his brother’s invention of celery to put an end to his hunger, Odin invents a cow: “You can drink from it.” he pronounces much to the cow’s consternation. When he adds that you can wrap it’s skin around you to keep warm and eat what’s inside, the cow’s outrage increases.
Odin philosophizes about what makes a thing alive and whether it is OK to eat such things. Vili continues making pretty things and Ve makes things that cause pain and destruction. Chaos ensues until a tragedy occurs and gives the gods pause. Then Odin turns introspective while considering that actions have consequences - even those of the gods…
Bjørn Larssen is a very talented comedic writer. His timing is perfect and the hilarity flows so well that you can read this novella in one sitting. This is the funniest book I’ve read for a long time and belongs on the shelves with Pratchett and Adams. If you are a fan of surreal, absurd humour you will love it! I cannot wait to read the next installment in this series.
October 31, 2021
I chose to read Creation as a member of Rosie’s Book Review Team and received a copy from the author although that doesn’t alter my review in any way.
This book tells the tale of Odin waking up along with his two brothers, Vili and Vé, to find themselves Gods in a place that as yet has nothing. It should be a terrific opportunity to create loads of cool stuff, you’d think. However, Odin, and his brothers, have no idea what they are doing and come up with random things such as celery and mosquitoes instead. (I mean, who would ever choose to invent either of those!) When Odin does manage to create something useful, a cow. They have no idea how to get milk out of it and the cow doesn’t hang around for long.
Creation is a short book and a pacey read. I enjoyed the humour and Larssen’s writing throughout and look forward to seeing what comes next.
This book tells the tale of Odin waking up along with his two brothers, Vili and Vé, to find themselves Gods in a place that as yet has nothing. It should be a terrific opportunity to create loads of cool stuff, you’d think. However, Odin, and his brothers, have no idea what they are doing and come up with random things such as celery and mosquitoes instead. (I mean, who would ever choose to invent either of those!) When Odin does manage to create something useful, a cow. They have no idea how to get milk out of it and the cow doesn’t hang around for long.
Creation is a short book and a pacey read. I enjoyed the humour and Larssen’s writing throughout and look forward to seeing what comes next.
December 28, 2021
Interesting and thought provoking, with a dry wit. But it also eventually got tedious.
December 9, 2021
Bjørn Larssen returns with a new short story series called ‘Why Odin Drinks’ – I think from the series title alone you can tell that this might be a lighter read than Children. That’s both content wise and book size – Creation is only around 70ish pages and so can be read in an hour or so for some, which is a nice palate cleanser when you’re used to reading 4 or 500+ page books.
This is a pretty unique book that I imagine will mostly attract the readers it’s probably aimed at. If you’re the type to be quite open minded and read widely, and don’t know anything about Norse mythology, maybe look it up for half an hour first? I do think you’d be (only slightly) more limited in your potential enjoyment otherwise. I only say this because you will experience more appreciation for one or two aspects of the story, and Odin’s character himself, if you are aware of at least the basics of Norse lore, because there are some really clever and funny nods and winks that may go over your head!
Odin suddenly remembered his dream. Nothing would ever eat him. Especially not some wolf.
Nevertheless, humour is universal and there is so much charm, wit and fun that fills the vast majority of this book that I am confident in saying anyone with a sense of humour can and will enjoy Creation.
Despite being a shorter book and the content being a humorous retelling, a lot of work has gone into actually making it work. There may be no need for complex plot arcs spanning 500 pages but the brain power to consistently make you laugh for 74 pages whilst also actually telling a story, adding heart and thought provoking questions too is a real skill. You’ll likely find yourself appreciating this craft whilst chuckling along.
This is an aspect I really appreciated myself, that whilst smiling I was also able to think about the questions Odin asks as someone new to, well, everything. It’s actually common for these questions to develop, and they do the further through the book you get.
Perhaps creation and destruction weren’t mutually exclusive; perhaps they needed each other
I personally found it continually more interesting and engaging the more I read, which of course coincided more world being created, or destroyed, by Odin and his brothers. Their conversations always entertain, and when we add humans to the mix later on things get even more entertaining (and thought provoking) with more questions being asked.
I’m going to really look forward to each book in the Why Odin Drinks series. Creation was a read that made me happy, it made me laugh and it thoroughly entertained!
Can’t wait for the next one.
This is a pretty unique book that I imagine will mostly attract the readers it’s probably aimed at. If you’re the type to be quite open minded and read widely, and don’t know anything about Norse mythology, maybe look it up for half an hour first? I do think you’d be (only slightly) more limited in your potential enjoyment otherwise. I only say this because you will experience more appreciation for one or two aspects of the story, and Odin’s character himself, if you are aware of at least the basics of Norse lore, because there are some really clever and funny nods and winks that may go over your head!
Odin suddenly remembered his dream. Nothing would ever eat him. Especially not some wolf.
Nevertheless, humour is universal and there is so much charm, wit and fun that fills the vast majority of this book that I am confident in saying anyone with a sense of humour can and will enjoy Creation.
Despite being a shorter book and the content being a humorous retelling, a lot of work has gone into actually making it work. There may be no need for complex plot arcs spanning 500 pages but the brain power to consistently make you laugh for 74 pages whilst also actually telling a story, adding heart and thought provoking questions too is a real skill. You’ll likely find yourself appreciating this craft whilst chuckling along.
This is an aspect I really appreciated myself, that whilst smiling I was also able to think about the questions Odin asks as someone new to, well, everything. It’s actually common for these questions to develop, and they do the further through the book you get.
Perhaps creation and destruction weren’t mutually exclusive; perhaps they needed each other
I personally found it continually more interesting and engaging the more I read, which of course coincided more world being created, or destroyed, by Odin and his brothers. Their conversations always entertain, and when we add humans to the mix later on things get even more entertaining (and thought provoking) with more questions being asked.
I’m going to really look forward to each book in the Why Odin Drinks series. Creation was a read that made me happy, it made me laugh and it thoroughly entertained!
Can’t wait for the next one.
July 19, 2021
Have you ever wondered how a god learns how to...well, be a god?
It's not as easy as it may seem.
Gods, it turns out, can be quite stupid and silly.
Imagine waking up in the middle of...nothing...and realizing that you (and your troublesome brothers) have the power to make that nothing into...something. Would you make pretty flowers? Would you give delicious fruit rocks in them for self-defense? Or perhaps you'd be like Odin and...think. There are so many things to think about when creating. How can a god find something to eat that isn't celery? (It's not even food.) Why does a cow have more dispensers than gods? Why doesn't that big tree listen to them? What does the sun eat? Should wolves even exist? (Definitely not, says he.) But no matter how much Odin thinks, his brothers are always making the whole god business difficult to figure out. Creation means being careful...thoughtful, right? Or maybe it's just chaos. Regardless, Odin and his brothers have a lot to learn about being gods in this brilliant retelling of Norse mythology's story of creation.
Without a doubt, Bjørn Larssen's Creation is witty and downright absurd. I was constantly amused, laughing at the many expressions of "moo" that were uttered by Audhumla as the hopeless gods did the most ridiculous (and yet relatable) things with their not-quite-omnipotent powers. I'm deeply impressed with how Bjørn managed to turn the story of creation on its head and offer such a refreshing angle.
Gods aren't 'born' all-knowing, after all.
And that, my friends, makes for a hilarious story.
It's not as easy as it may seem.
Gods, it turns out, can be quite stupid and silly.
Imagine waking up in the middle of...nothing...and realizing that you (and your troublesome brothers) have the power to make that nothing into...something. Would you make pretty flowers? Would you give delicious fruit rocks in them for self-defense? Or perhaps you'd be like Odin and...think. There are so many things to think about when creating. How can a god find something to eat that isn't celery? (It's not even food.) Why does a cow have more dispensers than gods? Why doesn't that big tree listen to them? What does the sun eat? Should wolves even exist? (Definitely not, says he.) But no matter how much Odin thinks, his brothers are always making the whole god business difficult to figure out. Creation means being careful...thoughtful, right? Or maybe it's just chaos. Regardless, Odin and his brothers have a lot to learn about being gods in this brilliant retelling of Norse mythology's story of creation.
Without a doubt, Bjørn Larssen's Creation is witty and downright absurd. I was constantly amused, laughing at the many expressions of "moo" that were uttered by Audhumla as the hopeless gods did the most ridiculous (and yet relatable) things with their not-quite-omnipotent powers. I'm deeply impressed with how Bjørn managed to turn the story of creation on its head and offer such a refreshing angle.
Gods aren't 'born' all-knowing, after all.
And that, my friends, makes for a hilarious story.
July 16, 2021
This is hands-down, one of the smartest, stupidest, silliest, funniest books I've read in ages! Harkens to Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, etc. Like if the Airplane! guys wrote a book about the beginning of everything as seen through the eyes of the Norse God Odin.
Three brothers, one giant blank space of nothingness, and a whole lot of bickering to see which one will rule them all.
Whether they're purposely inventing streams or accidentally inventing celery (a BIG mistake they all regret), these three Gods are closer to the Three Stooges.
The prose is absolutely delightful and can be read in a single sitting. I highlighted so many favorite lines that my copy looks like I bled all over it.
Bjorn Larssen is honestly one of the best writers out there today. He flawlessly switches back and forth between heart-wrenching grimdark Nordic fantasy (Children), to heart-wrenching historical Icelandic fiction (Storytellers) to absurd, slapstick humor (Creation) and back (Land).
This guy and his writing are worth your time.
Three brothers, one giant blank space of nothingness, and a whole lot of bickering to see which one will rule them all.
Whether they're purposely inventing streams or accidentally inventing celery (a BIG mistake they all regret), these three Gods are closer to the Three Stooges.
The prose is absolutely delightful and can be read in a single sitting. I highlighted so many favorite lines that my copy looks like I bled all over it.
Bjorn Larssen is honestly one of the best writers out there today. He flawlessly switches back and forth between heart-wrenching grimdark Nordic fantasy (Children), to heart-wrenching historical Icelandic fiction (Storytellers) to absurd, slapstick humor (Creation) and back (Land).
This guy and his writing are worth your time.
April 1, 2022
A short story with a lot to say, Creation is a laugh-a-paragraph tale of how tough it really is to be a god. Emerging from nothingness with the need to create but no idea what to create, Odin and his brothers’ struggle and compete in an escalating series of hilarious events that inspire some truly confounding questions about life, existence, life, death and everything in between.
With tongue held firmly in cheek, Larssen has crafted a satire that would make Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett proud. My face is sore for smiling the whole time through this hour and half or so read.
I can’t say much else for fear of spoiling anything, but this is a definite recommend from me for anyone wanting a quick, fun read that will stick with you.
With tongue held firmly in cheek, Larssen has crafted a satire that would make Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett proud. My face is sore for smiling the whole time through this hour and half or so read.
I can’t say much else for fear of spoiling anything, but this is a definite recommend from me for anyone wanting a quick, fun read that will stick with you.
November 6, 2021
Creation is a humorous retelling of the Norse creation myth, centering around the god brothers, Odin, Vili, and Ve. Instead of being a straightforward retelling of the myth, Larssen has taken Norse mythology and viewed it through the lens of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld, resulting in a silly and often slapstick look at Norse tradition.
In the beginning, a God opened his eyes and sat up, utterly confused.
The brothers, Odin, Vili, and Ve, are, quite honestly, bumbling idiots who just so happen to have the power to create anything at will. Well, mostly at will. They still have to imagine it and that’s where Larssen’s writing excels in Creation. The author has managed to take ordinary everyday things and kind of turn them on their heads by imagining what it would look like to create these things without any sort of frame of reference. For instance, if you had never seen or heard of a chicken before, you might say it has flappy (albeit useless) arms. But, wait. How would you describe an egg if you didn’t know what they were? Maybe as a container that the female chickens push out of their not-butts. It’s in this way that Larssen takes these seemingly simple things that we take for granted and looks at them from the angle of the first people to have encountered it. I’ve often wondered what the first people must’ve thought when they were first venturing out into the world and encountering new things. How disorienting and confusing it must have been for them to see these things and have no idea what they are. You might imagine that they would have thought of animals as having food in their skin. Which is true, but certainly an inane way of looking at things!
Like I said before, Larssen takes certain liberties with the original Norse mythology, but he manages to stay respectful of the source material at the same time. Here, instead of Odin, Vili, and Ve creating the world from the remains of the giant Ymir, they kind of stumble around and will random things into existence. It’s definitely a lighter take on the source material, but one that still has plenty of callbacks for those that are more familiar with it. One area of the novella that was kind of bafflingly old fashioned to me was Larssen’s handling of the creation of humanity. Things like Odin matter-of-factly referring to his creating men and women with specific traits (i.e. men have penises and women have breasts and no body hair.) It’s not that that I think Larssen was intentionally trying to be offensive, but in a story in which we have gods who know everything and nothing at all, who create things out of thin air and immediately know their use (or lack thereof — celery!), it was a surprisingly shallow and outdated approach to gender stereotypes and even gender identity. I know it’s not going to affect everyone the same way (and I also realize I am talking about this as a cishet white man), but it took me right out of the story quicker than getting hit in the face with a bucket of ice water. Honestly, it just felt tonally different from the rest of the story and even came across as a little juvenile, with its many remarks about the state and appearance of some of the characters *ahem* members. Ultimately, it’s only a matter of a few pages, but when the entire book is only 84 pages long, that’s a distressing amount of words wasted on something that just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the content. Bummer.
Gods weren’t all that different from rabbits. Odin also had bones and bits and blood inside him, wrapped in skin. That made him walking food too, as the wolf had already indicated. Someday a very big wolf might appear, out of nowhere, and do exactly this: tear Odin’s skin, spit out his head, and let his blood spill around.
My quibbles notwithstanding, Creation is a quick and light read full of humorous musings on the purpose of some things (flowers have a right to defend themselves!) and the nature of our existence. Because it’s so light on an actual plot, I found it easy to pick it up and put it down at will without worrying whether I would get lost. I especially enjoyed being able to pick up on the little callbacks to actual Norse mythology that was scattered through the text. It’s just a shame that not every joke landed with me and that it got bogged down halfway through with what felt to me like insensitive and obsolescent comments.
Read this and more reviews and features at FanFiAddict!
In the beginning, a God opened his eyes and sat up, utterly confused.
The brothers, Odin, Vili, and Ve, are, quite honestly, bumbling idiots who just so happen to have the power to create anything at will. Well, mostly at will. They still have to imagine it and that’s where Larssen’s writing excels in Creation. The author has managed to take ordinary everyday things and kind of turn them on their heads by imagining what it would look like to create these things without any sort of frame of reference. For instance, if you had never seen or heard of a chicken before, you might say it has flappy (albeit useless) arms. But, wait. How would you describe an egg if you didn’t know what they were? Maybe as a container that the female chickens push out of their not-butts. It’s in this way that Larssen takes these seemingly simple things that we take for granted and looks at them from the angle of the first people to have encountered it. I’ve often wondered what the first people must’ve thought when they were first venturing out into the world and encountering new things. How disorienting and confusing it must have been for them to see these things and have no idea what they are. You might imagine that they would have thought of animals as having food in their skin. Which is true, but certainly an inane way of looking at things!
Like I said before, Larssen takes certain liberties with the original Norse mythology, but he manages to stay respectful of the source material at the same time. Here, instead of Odin, Vili, and Ve creating the world from the remains of the giant Ymir, they kind of stumble around and will random things into existence. It’s definitely a lighter take on the source material, but one that still has plenty of callbacks for those that are more familiar with it. One area of the novella that was kind of bafflingly old fashioned to me was Larssen’s handling of the creation of humanity. Things like Odin matter-of-factly referring to his creating men and women with specific traits (i.e. men have penises and women have breasts and no body hair.) It’s not that that I think Larssen was intentionally trying to be offensive, but in a story in which we have gods who know everything and nothing at all, who create things out of thin air and immediately know their use (or lack thereof — celery!), it was a surprisingly shallow and outdated approach to gender stereotypes and even gender identity. I know it’s not going to affect everyone the same way (and I also realize I am talking about this as a cishet white man), but it took me right out of the story quicker than getting hit in the face with a bucket of ice water. Honestly, it just felt tonally different from the rest of the story and even came across as a little juvenile, with its many remarks about the state and appearance of some of the characters *ahem* members. Ultimately, it’s only a matter of a few pages, but when the entire book is only 84 pages long, that’s a distressing amount of words wasted on something that just doesn’t fit in with the rest of the content. Bummer.
Gods weren’t all that different from rabbits. Odin also had bones and bits and blood inside him, wrapped in skin. That made him walking food too, as the wolf had already indicated. Someday a very big wolf might appear, out of nowhere, and do exactly this: tear Odin’s skin, spit out his head, and let his blood spill around.
My quibbles notwithstanding, Creation is a quick and light read full of humorous musings on the purpose of some things (flowers have a right to defend themselves!) and the nature of our existence. Because it’s so light on an actual plot, I found it easy to pick it up and put it down at will without worrying whether I would get lost. I especially enjoyed being able to pick up on the little callbacks to actual Norse mythology that was scattered through the text. It’s just a shame that not every joke landed with me and that it got bogged down halfway through with what felt to me like insensitive and obsolescent comments.
Read this and more reviews and features at FanFiAddict!
December 12, 2021
I giggled all the way through CREATION by Bjorn Larssen. I’m a sucker for a wry and ironic turn of phrase and this story is full of them. The dictionary definition defines it as, ‘happening in a way contrary to what is expected, and typically causing wry amusement because of this.’ It’s the perfect description of how the world was created from a Norse mythology angle.
We follow the misguided and bewildering adventures of three brothers – Vili, Vé and Odin – as they create a world from scratch.
“In the beginning, a God opened his eyes and sat up, utterly confused.
He tried to recall the evening before … he couldn’t have partied so hard that he had simply forgotten all the events preceding now. Especially as parties had not been invented yet.”
In the first novella in this series, ‘Why Odin Drinks’, we find out how ignorance in the hands of the powerful is never a good thing. There is probably a message here for the world as it is now. Anyway, our three brothers create stuff in a state of befuddlement, often to offset problems created by a sibling. Vili is the creative, positive force who produces flowers and butterflies. Vé is destructive, creates fire and blood-thirsty wolves. Odin isn’t so good at the creative processes, he’s more of a thinker. So when Vili creates celery, universally recognised as one of the most unpleasant vegetables in history, Odin produces Audhumla, the cow. A thing which quenches their thirst but might also stop them from starving and keep them warm. Trouble is, the latter two options seem rather mean and stops them from getting any more milk.
It’s these logistical paradoxes which populate the story. We’re introduced to the stupidity of the peacock, for instance. A male bird with pretty feathers coming out of its ass that can’t fly. What was the point there?
The relationship between the three brothers is full of sibling rivalry. Not the quality needed in beings who can create anything they imagine, the outcomes are invariably disastrous. Then, inevitably, the non-gods appear. People. Who whine and complain all the time, ask stupid questions the gods can’t answer because that would mean they know things.
For me, one of the reasons for enjoying this story so much went beyond the ironic humour, it was the irony itself. It challenges so many preconceived ideas of Creation. Why create so many different kinds of people unless you wanted in-built conflict? It makes you wonder if our role in the universe is some kind of existential version of The Sims. I’m sure it is.
In summary, Creation: Why Odin Drinks, is great fun. It’s not easy to sustain wry, ironic humour but Bjorn manages it without any problems. The choice of topics he lampoons is part of the success, such as celery, such a pointless thing. And mosquitoes too. They are the product of some mean-spirited being if you ask me.
Highly recommended, this is a story to lift your spirits.
We follow the misguided and bewildering adventures of three brothers – Vili, Vé and Odin – as they create a world from scratch.
“In the beginning, a God opened his eyes and sat up, utterly confused.
He tried to recall the evening before … he couldn’t have partied so hard that he had simply forgotten all the events preceding now. Especially as parties had not been invented yet.”
In the first novella in this series, ‘Why Odin Drinks’, we find out how ignorance in the hands of the powerful is never a good thing. There is probably a message here for the world as it is now. Anyway, our three brothers create stuff in a state of befuddlement, often to offset problems created by a sibling. Vili is the creative, positive force who produces flowers and butterflies. Vé is destructive, creates fire and blood-thirsty wolves. Odin isn’t so good at the creative processes, he’s more of a thinker. So when Vili creates celery, universally recognised as one of the most unpleasant vegetables in history, Odin produces Audhumla, the cow. A thing which quenches their thirst but might also stop them from starving and keep them warm. Trouble is, the latter two options seem rather mean and stops them from getting any more milk.
It’s these logistical paradoxes which populate the story. We’re introduced to the stupidity of the peacock, for instance. A male bird with pretty feathers coming out of its ass that can’t fly. What was the point there?
The relationship between the three brothers is full of sibling rivalry. Not the quality needed in beings who can create anything they imagine, the outcomes are invariably disastrous. Then, inevitably, the non-gods appear. People. Who whine and complain all the time, ask stupid questions the gods can’t answer because that would mean they know things.
For me, one of the reasons for enjoying this story so much went beyond the ironic humour, it was the irony itself. It challenges so many preconceived ideas of Creation. Why create so many different kinds of people unless you wanted in-built conflict? It makes you wonder if our role in the universe is some kind of existential version of The Sims. I’m sure it is.
In summary, Creation: Why Odin Drinks, is great fun. It’s not easy to sustain wry, ironic humour but Bjorn manages it without any problems. The choice of topics he lampoons is part of the success, such as celery, such a pointless thing. And mosquitoes too. They are the product of some mean-spirited being if you ask me.
Highly recommended, this is a story to lift your spirits.
November 28, 2021
Many humorous pitfalls in being a god who creates the reality we know.
I would also like to comment on a separate and mostly unrelated topic: ebooks. Considering that books are mostly text with a little formatting and sometimes a few (or even a lot of) pictures, why are there so many incompatible formats? I suppose that does not matter too much, but why do different readers not support all formats? After all, the readers are just computers and programming. Or perhaps the question is why do publishers only provide ebooks in their choice of format, why not provide the books in the customer's choice of format? This also makes one wonder why there are so many different kinds of script, whether hand written or machine written? Clearly there is the traditional aspect that China and Myanmar were not strongly connected culturally or socially, for example, but that does not have to remain the case, (except perhaps for Myanmar or North Korea). Those eastern scripts are not even based on the phonetic principles of western script. Yet even the west has lots of alphabets, Cyrillic being an extreme example, but there are plenty with slight differences, like French (whatever they call it). It turns out that most ebooks accept lots of alphabets, just not lots of formats. Also, I can use software on a PC to change the format and remove unsupported DRM formats and read ebooks on any of my devices. Its just so much work for me to fix the publisher's and ebook designer's mistakes for every book I want to read.
I would also like to comment on a separate and mostly unrelated topic: ebooks. Considering that books are mostly text with a little formatting and sometimes a few (or even a lot of) pictures, why are there so many incompatible formats? I suppose that does not matter too much, but why do different readers not support all formats? After all, the readers are just computers and programming. Or perhaps the question is why do publishers only provide ebooks in their choice of format, why not provide the books in the customer's choice of format? This also makes one wonder why there are so many different kinds of script, whether hand written or machine written? Clearly there is the traditional aspect that China and Myanmar were not strongly connected culturally or socially, for example, but that does not have to remain the case, (except perhaps for Myanmar or North Korea). Those eastern scripts are not even based on the phonetic principles of western script. Yet even the west has lots of alphabets, Cyrillic being an extreme example, but there are plenty with slight differences, like French (whatever they call it). It turns out that most ebooks accept lots of alphabets, just not lots of formats. Also, I can use software on a PC to change the format and remove unsupported DRM formats and read ebooks on any of my devices. Its just so much work for me to fix the publisher's and ebook designer's mistakes for every book I want to read.
September 18, 2021
Creation by Bjørn Larssen had me laughing more than I usually do with any book. I absolutely love the humor. Every time I was laughing out loud, my mood was getting better. Love when books can have an impact on me like that.
Bjørn Larssen is an incredibly talented author. Not only is this story funny, but it is also a page turner that kept my attention from beginning to end. I love this take on Norse creation.
The characters are perfect. The banter between the brothers is everything. I love how developed they were as characters, and laughed hysterically over their different arguments.
Hysterically witty and seriously thrilling, Creation has everything I want in a story. I highly recommend giving this one a read. It deserves more than five stars!
I received a free copy of this book so I could read and review, honestly. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
Bjørn Larssen is an incredibly talented author. Not only is this story funny, but it is also a page turner that kept my attention from beginning to end. I love this take on Norse creation.
The characters are perfect. The banter between the brothers is everything. I love how developed they were as characters, and laughed hysterically over their different arguments.
Hysterically witty and seriously thrilling, Creation has everything I want in a story. I highly recommend giving this one a read. It deserves more than five stars!
I received a free copy of this book so I could read and review, honestly. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
November 8, 2021
I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by Storytellers on Tour. Special thanks to the author for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review! 3.5 stars rounded up
Creation was a well written Norse myth retelling about the start of it all featuring Odin and his brothers Vili and Ve. Larssen pulls off telling a story in the most humorous way possible while still also asking the big philosophical questions about life and why things are the way they are. It’s a short, fast and extremely fun read (prepare to laugh even when you don’t feel like!) and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys humorous fantasy and Norse mythology, of course! 😉
Check out the full review up on my blog!
Creation was a well written Norse myth retelling about the start of it all featuring Odin and his brothers Vili and Ve. Larssen pulls off telling a story in the most humorous way possible while still also asking the big philosophical questions about life and why things are the way they are. It’s a short, fast and extremely fun read (prepare to laugh even when you don’t feel like!) and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys humorous fantasy and Norse mythology, of course! 😉
Check out the full review up on my blog!
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April 14, 2022According to Bjorn Larsson's Creation, the gods are just like humans, but pettier and with a lot more power, which they refuse to admit they don't know how to handle, which makes them even more like humans, which brings me back around to the pointed political commentary hidden beneath the humor.
With humor that varies wildly between pointed, slapstick, and something the gods have not yet invented, this book reminded me of my first introduction to Douglas Adams. The sheer cleverness of language sometimes overtakes the story, and then you get laughing and have to go back and catch up to the point where you lost the plot because you were literally laughing too hard to pay strict attention.
With humor that varies wildly between pointed, slapstick, and something the gods have not yet invented, this book reminded me of my first introduction to Douglas Adams. The sheer cleverness of language sometimes overtakes the story, and then you get laughing and have to go back and catch up to the point where you lost the plot because you were literally laughing too hard to pay strict attention.
October 27, 2022
This book is part of a paperback copy of Why Odin Drinks. (For reasons, I can't fathom I cannot get Goodreads to acknowledge this is a paperback booK - it keeps referring me to the two e-books.) It's funny - almost like Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman cowrote Norse mythology. Odin and his two brothers are creating things like mad, and Odin can't grasp just how they're doing it. He's trying to slow down and figure it out, while Vili and Ve are making mosquitos and butterflies and ... celery. While I didn't laugh out loud, I snorted a lot.
September 28, 2021
Creation is an absolutely delightful book.
Funny, sometimes philosophical, a relatively quick read that left me looking forward to the next installment.
I loved the unique perspective and literally laughed out loud several times.
If you are seeking a quick, fun, enjoyable book Creation is an outstanding choice.
Funny, sometimes philosophical, a relatively quick read that left me looking forward to the next installment.
I loved the unique perspective and literally laughed out loud several times.
If you are seeking a quick, fun, enjoyable book Creation is an outstanding choice.
October 5, 2021
I was in the mood for a quick read and my husband adores Bjorn Larssen's writing so I thought I would give Creation (Why Odin Drinks, #1) a try.
Well, I didn't stop till I was finished. It was everything promised, hilarious, fantastical and just what I needed to brighten up my day.
Please keep writing these stories Bjorn!!!
Well, I didn't stop till I was finished. It was everything promised, hilarious, fantastical and just what I needed to brighten up my day.
Please keep writing these stories Bjorn!!!
February 17, 2022
Hilarious short story written by the heathen Norse God Bjorn Larssen.
Follow Odin and his brothers as they create life, animals, trees, mosquitos, food.. Very funny short read, full of wit and humour. Highly recommend.
Follow Odin and his brothers as they create life, animals, trees, mosquitos, food.. Very funny short read, full of wit and humour. Highly recommend.
August 20, 2021
Funny and thought-provoking!
We meet Odin and his brothers at the moment of their - and the world's - creation and see how things came to be, such as grass, water, celery, rocks, and all sorts of other things. At times, the words for these creations just popped into their heads, but at others they did not, leading to very humorous descriptors.
It also made me think about how man determined what was edible, what was drinkable, and that meat tastes infinitely better when cooked.
This was a very enjoyable book, and I look forward to more reasons why Odin drinks!
We meet Odin and his brothers at the moment of their - and the world's - creation and see how things came to be, such as grass, water, celery, rocks, and all sorts of other things. At times, the words for these creations just popped into their heads, but at others they did not, leading to very humorous descriptors.
It also made me think about how man determined what was edible, what was drinkable, and that meat tastes infinitely better when cooked.
This was a very enjoyable book, and I look forward to more reasons why Odin drinks!
November 30, 2021
Review to come.
January 28, 2022
Not the right audience for this I think.
January 22, 2022
Okay, this was totally mind-blowing and so unlike the other books I'd read by this author that it has taken me a while to process it and sit down to write this review. This story posits the absolutely fascinating question of what would you do if you and a couple of your siblings woke up somewhere with godlike powers and not much else except absolutely no idea what was going on? Watching the three would-be gods bumbling their way through the creation of the world is both funny and strangely profound. Their different personalities pull them in wildly different creative directions, naturally leading to both conflict and confusion as they attempt to invent everything from creatures and food to weather and humans with more than a few mistakes made along the way. While obviously written to be humorous, I was surprised at how this comical tale was also strangely deep, touching on some philosophical concepts that really had me pondering the universe in between laughing. A fun and unique reading experience.
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September 20, 2021Unless you want people staring at you in that polite but concerned 'is this person all right?' way, don't read this book in a public setting. As I did. Although as I nearly choked on my coffee maybe it was good there were people around - they might have needed to call the paramedics. I haven't laughed so hard in a very long time. Odin and his brothers create the world - in a bumbling, confused, and completely ridiculously funny way - including a very patient cow, mosquitoes that no one sees (but do feel) the point of ... and the first humans. With echoes of Monty Python, Terry Pratchett, and the best of British comedy, Why Odin Drinks is a wonderful antidote to everything serious.
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