Judul : Norse Mythology
Pengarang : Neil Gaiman
Penerbit : Bloomsbury Publishing
Tahun : 2017
ISBN : B01LY7XGR1
Halaman : 256
Rating : 4 of 5 stars
Introducing an instant classic—master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales.
In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, son of a giant, blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Once, when Thor’s hammer is stolen, Thor must disguise himself as a woman, difficult with his beard and huge appetite, to steal it back. More poignant is the tale in which the blood of Kvasir, the most sagacious of gods, is turned into a mead that infuses drinkers with poetry. The work culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and rebirth of a new time and people.
Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerge these gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales.
In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, son of a giant, blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Once, when Thor’s hammer is stolen, Thor must disguise himself as a woman, difficult with his beard and huge appetite, to steal it back. More poignant is the tale in which the blood of Kvasir, the most sagacious of gods, is turned into a mead that infuses drinkers with poetry. The work culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and rebirth of a new time and people.
Through Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerge these gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again
Cerita dimulai dengan pengenal terhadap dewa-dewa utama, yaitu Odin, Thor dan Loki. Bahwa pada mulanya dunia ini hanya berupa kabut di mana di ujungnya terdapat Muspell, daerah api, dan di seberangnya adalah Nilfheim, daerah es. Diantara kedua wilayah ini terdapat celah dimana es mencair dan memjadi sungai yang dinamakan Celah Ginnungagap. Di sinilah mumcul mahkhluk pertama uang bernama Ymir yang berukuran lebih besar daripada raksasa. Bersama Ymir juga muncul seekor sapi, Audhumla, yang memberi makan Ymir melalui susunya. Audhumla pula yang menciptakan sosok seperti manusia melalui jilatan-jilatannya di balok es. Ia dinamakan Buri yang kemudian akan menjadi leluhur para dewa.
