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Norse Mythology.
by GAIMAN, Neil
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
London, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Bloomsbury,, 2017. First UK edition, first impression, signed by the author on an additional leaf bound into the book. Gaiman's popular retelling of Norse myths draws from Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda and the verses of the Poetic Edda. Gaiman elaborates on aspects of Norse mythology that have traditionally received little attention; a review in the Guardian declares that "Gaiman is an egalitarian explainer, as likely to devote a little page-space to Ratatosk, the malicious, gossipy squirrel who lives in Yggdrasil and takes messages between the corpse-eating dragon at its root and the stern eagle in its branches as to any Asgardian" (Haynes). A radio adaptation, starring Derek Jacobi, Colin Morgan, and Natalie Dormer, aired on BBC Radio 4 on Boxing Day 2018, and the book is also currently being released as an 18-issue comic book series by Dark Horse Comics. Octavo. Original black imitation cloth-backed boards, spine lettered in gilt. With dust jacket. Publisher's sticker to rear panel of jacket, unclipped: a fine copy in like jacket. Natalie Haynes, "Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, review - A Rich Retelling", Guardian, 12 February 2017, accessible online.
Synopsis
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.
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Details
- Seller
- Peter Harrington
(GB)
- Seller's Inventory #
- 169366
- Title
- Norse Mythology.
- Author
- GAIMAN, Neil
- Book Condition
- Used
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Place of Publication
- London: Bloomsbury,
- Date Published
- 2017
Terms of Sale
Peter Harrington
All major credit cards are accepted. Both UK pounds and US dollars (exchange rate to be agreed) accepted. Books may be returned within 14 days of receipt for any reason, please notify first of returned goods.
About the Seller
Peter Harrington
Biblio member since 2006
London
About Peter Harrington
Since its establishment, Peter Harrington has specialised in sourcing, selling and buying the finest quality original first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, fine bindings and library sets. Peter Harrington first began selling rare books from the Chelsea Antiques Market on London's King's Road. For the past twenty years the business has been run by Pom Harrington, Peter's son.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
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