In this of the scandinavian mythology many of you who pass through here would raise your hand if you approached her thanks to Thor and his brother made nemesis, Loki. And there are few images so powerful of the "Olympus" of the northernmost European peninsula as that God of thunder in charge of making the heavens sound with his shocking roar. Everything concerning the Viking reaches us from that notion, that translation of a wild, mountainous, frozen world that makes up the Viking paradigm of wild souls with cold blood. Northern Europe and the conquered lands overseas ended up ruled by survivors who made violence and fighting a large component of their idiosyncrasy.
But the approach to norse mythology books they give much more play and end up forming an imaginary that, mutatis mutandis, reaches today in significance to greek or the Roman. True, from a more intense and even bloody epic lyricism, but perhaps for that reason with greater fascination and even morbid. Even many great novels or fantasy genre films seem to take this culture as a reference. From Tolkien but also George rr martin they were able to erect their settings and build plots of their most famous novels from this mythology.
The point is that once the image of Thor wins us over to the cause we discover his progenitor, a powerful Odin venerated even more ultra of the Scandinavian peninsular territory to the south, reaching Germanic peoples who joined in the worship and who, curiously, they have known how to maintain as an authentic religion until today under the name of Ásatrú. A sum of pagan beliefs that concentrate on the Æsir its host of gods. By the way, beliefs that are currently recognized in some northern European countries but also in Spain.
Beyond a brief introduction to its evolution and curiosities, we return to the Norse mythological literature to select those books with which to enjoy and learn, with which to peek into an imaginary full of legends, gods, supernatural beings as fascinating as the Valkyries, dwarves, elves and beasts that fit perfectly in that scene of a Cold and inhospitable Europe, where nature is as evocative as it is shocking ...
Top 3 Recommended Norse Mythology Books
Norse Myths by Neil Gaiman
One of the differentiating points with respect to mythologies such as the Greek is the imperfect nature that Gaiman points out in this work. Too many earthly gods who allow themselves to be governed by violent or sexual drives, men as demigods given to war for war and the display of strength and power.
And in that composition less lyrical than Greek mythology, resides a special charm. Fantastic literature that brings us closer to other Olympics, between alcohol and physical passion. It seems as if the Norse gods have discovered that true pleasures are to be found on Earth.
Thanks to this book, we review the heterogeneous narrative composition that is involved in entering these mythological references born of the cold. And we enjoy a chilling tale of desire, ambition and power through a harsh land where surviving circumstances seems the only motive for mortals and immortals.
An encounter between humans and legends, as if both shared that silent space where the icy currents of the North Pole circulate. Scenarios from which fantasy emerges amid the harshness of a landscape as magnetizing as it is desolate, between ancient forests, wild beasts and the frozen steppe as any way to undertake any journey. The mjolnir or hammer of Thor as a symbol of that hardness, of souls and ice.
Mythology
A meticulous volume essential for all those who end up seduced after the first brushstrokes on Norse mythology.
Norse or "Viking" mythology is supposed to be less famous and popular than the classical one, but it is not for that reason less interesting and attractive, as numerous creations (from Wagner to JRRTolkien, from the superhero Thor movies to the Vikings series) put manifest. Enrique Bernárdez presents the essentials of this mythology in this book in which rigor is not at odds with amenity and disclosure.
After an introduction that provides us with general ideas to navigate comfortably through its pages, the author gives an account of the organization and origin of the mythical Nordic world, presents the gods of the Viking age in two parts -the Vanes (Niörd, Frey, Freya…) and the aces gods (Odin, Thor…) -, to pass to the «Twilight» or Final Destination of the gods, before collecting the main heroic legends. Provided with a very useful name index, the work concludes with some notes on the uses and abuses of this mythology, especially in the modern world.
Nordic Myths Pack (2 volumes)
Norse mythology goes a long way. If you are looking to delve into the vast imaginary and all its possible ramifications, you cannot miss them ...
NORDIC MYTHS PACK 1
Thor and the power of Mjölnir, Odin and the nine worlds y Loki and the prophecy of Ragnarök are the three novels that make up this pack. Each one dedicated to a famous Norse myth, these stories introduce us to the fantastic world of Viking gods and heroes and are the beginning of an exciting collection. The myths and legends of Odin, Thor, Siegfried or Beowulf had the same importance for Norse culture as classical mythology for Greek and Latin cultures.
Thanks to the Viking expansion through Great Britain, Ireland or Iceland, Norse mythology became one of the pillars of European culture. Stories of magic, mystery, war and cunning that gave meaning to the world around them, from the origin of the world to its inevitable end at the hands of chaos. Epic adventures and unforgettable characters in a unique universe.
NORDIC MYTHS PACK 2
Ragnarök and the twilight of the gods, THOR in the land of the giants, ODÍN against the vanes and LOKI and Freya's necklace are the 4 novels that make up this pack. Each one of them dedicated to the adventures of a famous Norse myth, these stories introduce us to the fantastic world of Viking gods and heroes. Essential novels to discover the richness of Norse mythology, in which unforgettable characters live epic adventures in a unique universe.
Only this collection offers for the first time all the myths of the Norse heroes and gods, presented in suggestive fictionalized versions. Stories organized in sagas - that of Thor, that of Odin, that of Loki, that of Ragnarök and many more - that order the mythological universe. Based on the Eddas and other original sources and accompanied by carefully designed illustrations inspired by Viking aesthetics, these novels are essential to learn in depth the most powerful and suggestive stories that have ever been conceived. An essential collection for lovers of the genre, which offers us an exciting journey to the ancient north through its myths and which is destined to become a classic.
Norse Mythology: Fascinating Myths and Legends of Norse Gods, Heroes and Viking Beliefs
The essence of all mythology is its structure of legends, that thread that makes some characters divinities associated with the telluric or even the climatic, unknown evils or unexpected providences. We know about all that and much more in this book.
Spirits and beings of Norse mythology
In all mythology, its legendary heritage is structured and developed with new settings and characters that provide that exuberance that, ultimately, ends up providing greater realism due to its disparity and detail. On Spirits and beings of Norse mythology the author delves into those beliefs of the folklore of the Nordic countries about these creatures, of which even today news is emerging in the Scandinavian press.
The book begins by talking about the origin and how all these creatures were created according to Norse myths, their interaction with the gods and the role they played in the Norse universe. Then, in each chapter, he delves into the character, habitats, ways of life and the description of each of these creatures, and what is known about them through sagas, stories and narratives collected by folklorists, popular songs, etc.
