Dioses y héroes de la mitologia vikinga

The World Mythology

by Brian Branston

A collection of myths about Thor, Balder, King Gylfi, and other Nordic gods and goddesses.

Genres: Mythology, History, Reference, Nonfiction, Medieval, Classics, Childrens

156 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Anne White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1970's illustrated book of Norse myths is framed as a long Q&A session between King Gylfi and three mysterious women, which is itself quite traditional, but a bit unusual for children's retellings. Many of the chapters begin or end with Gylfi having a question about something, and the women responding; and that is helpful, rather than having the book seem like just a random collection of stories. The framing device is also a helpful way to tell the final story about Ragnarok (and what might lie beyond).

It would appeal to older children who like some gore (zombies! blood!), but who aren't up for the "edginess" of some current books. (There are just one or two places where particular body parts are mentioned.)

Overall, it would be a "yes," though not for super-sensitive readers.

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an old favorite (My in-laws picked it up on a trip to Iceland many years ago). It's an illustrated (paintings and pen-and-ink drawings) adaptation of Snorri Sturluson's PROSE EDDA (written in the 13th Century). As such, it begins with the prologue/set up of King Gylfi of Sweden, the creation of Zeeland, and his quest and encounter with three mysterious strangers who tell him all about the gods of Scandinavia. The book covers Norse mythology - including their weirdo cosmology - and all of the well-known stories of their gods and heroes. The prose is somewhat modernized but not unduly dumbed down and the art is excellent. I'm slightly annoyed by the title, since it's Norse Mythology, not Viking; this is like describing Christianity as "Pirate Religion." But, hey, it was written in 1978 so what do you expect? As a prose adaptation of the original, it's probably a 3 stars, but for nostalgia and the artwork, I'm giving it a 4.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful art adorns the pages. I wasn't crazy about the myths being told in the form of a story of a king hearing them from mysterious strangers, but the information was good. A nice primary for those interest in the Norse myths.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful art adorns the pages. I wasn't crazy about the myths being told in the form of a story of a king hearing them from mysterious strangers, but the information was good. A nice primary for those interest in the Norse myths.

[Amy the book-bat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only had a vague knowledge of Norse mythology before I read this book. I thought the stories were interesting. The Thor stories kind of took over the second half of the book (and he wasn't portrayed as the brightest crayon in the box). I think students 5th grade and up might enjoy reading this.

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is just right for an interested ten-year-old. Magnificent pictures and a complete lack of boring stories.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the language is a bit stilted, these stories take us from the beginning of creation to the end of the world—and beyond. It’s actually a story within a story, as an angry king tries to get back land that he was tricked out of by a shape-shifter Aesir woman with two magically oxen.

The stories are very familiar to anyone who’s touched on Viking mythology (and a surprise to anyone who knows only what they’ve seen and heard in Marvel movies). Thor is a boisterous fighter with a vicious temper. Loki is a mischievous trickster whose hijinks occasionally stray into terrible acts of horror and meanness. Odin frequently travels among human beings in order to delivery messages or choose new warriors for Valhalla.

Norse gods seem very much like humans: needing a steady diet of magic apples to maintain youth and beauty, getting grouchy when they’re hungry and thirsty, falling prey to anger, surprise, lovesickness or sorrow. The stories present their link to humanity in understandable terms and bizarre, exaggerated descriptions. There’s a bit of sly, hidden humor in places and the whole book is enlivened with dazzling full-color pictures that sometimes cover two-page spreads. The line drawings are very expressive as well, managing to convey emotion and action (I had to smile at the image of a surprised Thor being tugged off his feet by a scowling, aged harridan.).

This is a wonderful picture book that’s sure to be a treasure for young and old who may want a change from the ubiquitous books about Greek mythologies.

[KRISTINA S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gudar och hjältar i nordisk mytologi av Brian Branston

Boken går in på djupet om de nordiska gudarna, jättar och hjältar. Här får du veta hur de första människorna kom till jorden enligt den nordiska mytologin, hur Embla och Ask blev till, vilka som gifte sig med varandra och vem som var barn till vem. Hur fick egentligen Tor sin hammare Mjölner? Det är bara en sak du får veta i denna story. Du får också följa med Lokes äventyr i Asgård och i Jotunheim. En intressant beskrivning över hur de fornnordiska sagorna kom till och hur de har bevarats ända fram till nutiden får du också läsa om. Som avslutning får du lära dig vem som är vem i den nordiska mytologin och du får också en presentation av alla bokens karaktärer och händelser.

Tycker du om nordisk mytologi och vill fördjupa dig i ämnet är detta en bok för dig. Den är lättläst och intressant. Jag tyckte själv att den var väl värd att läsa och jag har lärt mig mycket om hur gudarna hör ihop med varandra. Vart de bodde och vem som var barn till vem. Extra intressant tyckte jag att det var att få lära mig alla namn jag hört talas eller läst om. Nu vet jag vem som är vem och kan lättare hänga med i samtal och andra berättelser gällande nordisk mytologi.

[Isa Lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es la tercera vez que leo este libro, me encanta, lo descubrí cuando era adolescente y me gusta mucho. Si bien es verdad que en la traducción se pierden los nombres originales, bastante famosos, de algunos objetos y personajes, y también es raro que use palabras o términos cristianos, hablando de dioses de otra religión, pero es una buena manera de enterarte de la mitología germánica.

En mi opinión da la impresión de que coge la información de la Edda Mayor y la menor y las desarrolla en forma de historia.

[Penny Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am in love with all things Norse. Attempting to reconnect with my heritage. I enjoyed reading this and my kids liked it as well. My fav is the creation of night and day "being a Delling hight he who the day's father is,but night was of Nörvi born;
the new and waning moons
the beneficent powers created,
to count the years for men,"

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nordisk mytologi när den är som bäst.Min favoritgud är Thor... :)

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very strange stories, but told well and with good illustrations.

[Narariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview of Norse myth, suitable for older children and possibly adults. It has nice illustrations. I found many of the stories themselves a bit grim, as seems common in the mythology. I didn't particularly enjoy the book but that may have been the difference between my personal preference and the material. The stories were well-written and I think fairly accurate to the originals, though I am no expert.

[Paras2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was AMAZING. No book ever depicted the whole story of myths this skillfully from the very beginning til the end. the Narration of the story was good and not to mention that the fantastic graphics adorned the pages and gave a celtic kind of vibe. this book was a pleasant read and I totally recommend it to any myth lover out there.

[Sverre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth having for the fantastic graphic art.

[Opolitlo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's clearly written sometime ago, and with the intention to uphold the stereotypical view of the viking gods, not to mention tell a good story.

[Rkb 2015 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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