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16th out of 111 books
—
196 voters
The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths
Before time as we know it began, gods and goddesses lived in the city of Asgard. Odin All Father crossed the Rainbow Bridge to walk among men in Midgard. Thor defended Asgard with his mighty hammer. Mischievous Loki was constantly getting into trouble with the other gods, and dragons and giants walked free. This collection of Norse sagas retold by author Padraic Colum give...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
June 22nd 2004
by Aladdin
(first published 1920)
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While on vacation in Wisconsin, we happened upon a horse farm that specialized in Scandinavian horses. On a whim, we stopped in and learned all about the Gotland, Icelandic, Arland, and other varieties of Scandinavian horses. We also met Icelandic goats, chickens, and ducks. At any rate, the sign of this place, called Norse Horse Park on Washington Island in Wisconsin, featured a picture of Odin riding Sleipnir, his horse. This reminded me of the Norse mythological poems that we read in German c...more
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The Children of Odin: The Book of Northern Myths is exactly what the title says it is; a collection of several stories from Norse mythology. And, really, it's not that bad. I bought it at a train station because I needed something short and interesting to read. It fit those criteria, but little else.
This book is in serious need of a character list, or a family tree, or something. I'd really liked to have seen ten or twenty pages dedicated to certain characters, either in the front of back. Maybe...more
This book is in serious need of a character list, or a family tree, or something. I'd really liked to have seen ten or twenty pages dedicated to certain characters, either in the front of back. Maybe...more
Un libro de fácil lectura que ordena, resume, da coherencia y adapta los mitos nórdicos desde la creación del mundo antiguo (los dioses, etc) hasta el final de aquél (Ragnarok) y el surgimiento del nuestro; conteniendo, por tanto, la historia de la primera parte del "Cantar de los nibelungos" y del ciclo del anillo de Wagner, pemitiéndonos ver el trasfondo mitológico que tales no cuentan, pese a ser necesarios para su correcto entendimiento.
Por supuesto, dado que —como dije— se dio coherencia a...more
Por supuesto, dado que —como dije— se dio coherencia a...more
I've never given Norse myths much thought until I read this book for research on a novel I'm working on. I loved it!! I had no idea Norse myths were so strange, so imaginative, and even funny at times. Padraic Colum did a wonderful job retelling the myths in a simple, yet elegant way, and I equally loved the delicate linework of the artist Willy Pogany.
I also thought it was quite compelling to read about a pantheon of Gods who seemed to grow and change over time - such as Loki who started out a...more
I also thought it was quite compelling to read about a pantheon of Gods who seemed to grow and change over time - such as Loki who started out a...more
A retelling of the Norse myths, with the story of Sigurd and Brynhild, the fallen Valkyrie, as well as the stories of the Aesir. This telling is a bit more in-depth than the D’Aulaires’ work; it gives a reasonable account, for one thing, why Loki turned from merely spiteful and mischievous to jealous, destructive and evil. It also lends more import to the Norse motif that destruction came to the Aesir because of unjust acts they committed. It isn’t perfect though — unless I’m mistaken, Colum fai...more
This book is pretty stinking awesome. But that is too generic to say honestly. From a literary standpoint, it's best compared to (though certainly not above) the works of J.R.R Tolkien. In fact, I wonder if Tolkien was influenced by some of these norse myths. Similar to the style of the Simarillian though the chapters are a little shorter and more fast paces---think of a mythology anthology of short stories. Tragic in the sense that you know the fate of everyone from the introduction (one of tho...more
This book, comprised of Irish author Padraic Colum's retellings of classic Norse myths, was on the shelf in our apartment when we moved in. Having only encountered Norse mythology in the wonderful illustrated D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths, I thought it would be a good idea for me to reacquaint myself with these stories, which are referenced not infrequently in Scandinavian and Icelandic literature.
Colum's book is, as the cover claims, "very readable," although I found the choice to use a quas...more
Colum's book is, as the cover claims, "very readable," although I found the choice to use a quas...more
I read this story in hopes of understanding better the references to Norse Myths in pop culture (thanks Neil Gaiman and Too Human). Since the stories were written in the early 20th century, I assumed that a good portion of the similarities between the stories and my own pop references were not mere coincidence, but whether it was due to Colum shaping the myths or to pop culture heavily borrowing from the stories, it is hard to tell. I really enjoyed the tales. Told in a mostly-linear path, with...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I talked our school district into ordering this book for my Mythology class. I certainly haven't regretted it. We spend the second quarter of the semester class studying Norse mythology. This book is very accessible, even to the students who are dumped into the elective class just because there's nowhere else to put them. The myths are told in short story format, using simple but poetic language. Sure, the names throw the kids, but otherwise my high schoolers have no trouble with it.
They definit...more
They definit...more
My first thought on starting to read The Children of Odin? Wow, this sounds like The Silmarillion!
Of course, I knew that Tolkien was very much influenced by Norse mythology. The resemblance is not just in the underlying stories, however, but in the way they are written in short, rather poetic tales. Considering that this book was originally published in 1920, it’s quite likely that he would have known of it when he was setting down his own ideas.
Colum’s book is aimed at a relatively young reade...more
Of course, I knew that Tolkien was very much influenced by Norse mythology. The resemblance is not just in the underlying stories, however, but in the way they are written in short, rather poetic tales. Considering that this book was originally published in 1920, it’s quite likely that he would have known of it when he was setting down his own ideas.
Colum’s book is aimed at a relatively young reade...more
A good for its price (free) introduction to Norse mythology. There is little interpretation in the retelling of the stories. The order of the stories can be confusing, but with no frame of reference, I can't say how to do it better, or if that is possible. But it's free!
I knew almost nothing of this mythology before this book and I feel it covered a lot, so no complaints. It isn't difficult, but the language isn't...fun?... to read, either. I'm currently reading some other related sources and wi...more
I knew almost nothing of this mythology before this book and I feel it covered a lot, so no complaints. It isn't difficult, but the language isn't...fun?... to read, either. I'm currently reading some other related sources and wi...more
I grew up a fan of Greek mythology, amazed by the esoteric worldviews of long ago. This love crossed over into a few other cultures—Egyptian and Roman mostly—but nothing compared to Greek. As I grew up I began looking to related things: fairy tales, urban legends, and folklore. I loved the language and mood these stories had, and to this day I still enjoy reading these kinds of things. When a friend suggested I read the free Kindle book The Children of Odin I dismissed it, chiefly because it was...more
Jul 23, 2012
Magdalena
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
myths-legends,
favorites
Why I liked it:
-It's a clear narration of the Norse myths. I love anything norse, so this book was meant to be a favorite of mine.
-It is neatly arranged into small chapters that focus on a certain event or a certain god/hero.
-Gorgeous illustrations and chapter headings.
-The language is easy to follow and has an old fairytale tone to it. Also, it's told in a linear way, except for the very first chapter, which starts from Ragnarök.
-Even if you forget what a certain word is, the writer reminds y...more
-It's a clear narration of the Norse myths. I love anything norse, so this book was meant to be a favorite of mine.
-It is neatly arranged into small chapters that focus on a certain event or a certain god/hero.
-Gorgeous illustrations and chapter headings.
-The language is easy to follow and has an old fairytale tone to it. Also, it's told in a linear way, except for the very first chapter, which starts from Ragnarök.
-Even if you forget what a certain word is, the writer reminds y...more
This work was a delightful little read. The stories were very short, which made them seem a little archaic in that character development was not always deep. There is a great deal of discussion concerning Ragnarök. However, once you arrive there in the text it is rather anti-climactic. Of course, that is not Padraic Colum's fault as he is just collecting the stories.
The best tale contained in this work is the chapter "Loki Against the Aesir.," where Loki is finally expelled from ever returning t...more
The best tale contained in this work is the chapter "Loki Against the Aesir.," where Loki is finally expelled from ever returning t...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Great myths, great mythology. Odin all-father attempts to create a harmonious world, but Loki, a trickster, a boarder-crosser, a half breed, introduces chaos, and the stories unfold. In exploit after exploit, Loki is dazzling to watch. Characters and themes emerge in cycles, with tensions growing greater with every gyre. Eventually, all the traps Loki laid in his life culminate in Ragnarok, the twilight of the Gods, and heaven and earth crumble. But what's this? Two greater worlds emerge. Perhap...more
After seeing Thor in the theater I wanted to read some Norse mythology since I don’t know much about it. This book was a great introduction to the Norse gods.
Loki in particular interested me. He is given the title “The doer of good, the doer of evil.” It sums up well his craftiness and abilities. He is mischievous and causes a lot of chaos, but frequently also solves the problems his actions created. A powerful thing knowledge
Loki in particular interested me. He is given the title “The doer of good, the doer of evil.” It sums up well his craftiness and abilities. He is mischievous and causes a lot of chaos, but frequently also solves the problems his actions created. A powerful thing knowledge
Simplified watered down versions of stories from the Eddas. This book seems to be aimed at a late elementary or jr. high school age reader. For that target audience this is a great introduction and would probably be the best thing you could buy if you were trying to picque a young persons interest in the Norse "Myths". If your an adult there are several other books on this subject that I would recomend over this one though.
This book is a fantastic gateway for a novice to learn more about Norse mythology. My own knowledge of Norse myths prior to reading The Children of Odin was mostly from comic books (Marvel Comics' Thor and Valkyrie) but the diluted myths in comics are nothing compared to the original tales, which are both strange and fascinating.
I found that this book struck a perfect balance of modern and old language, and works in a chronological order from the creation of the Worlds to Ragnarok, so is easy to...more
I found that this book struck a perfect balance of modern and old language, and works in a chronological order from the creation of the Worlds to Ragnarok, so is easy to...more
This book provides a rather coherent set of Norse myths. The author ties the myths together so that they flow a lot better than your average compilation of random stories (which is my general impression of most mythology books).
The stories appear to have been selected to minimize contradiction. (As with any mythology, in Norse mythology there are many authors, resulting in inevitable confusion as they disagree over insignificant details like the names of the main characters.) They are also (well...more
The stories appear to have been selected to minimize contradiction. (As with any mythology, in Norse mythology there are many authors, resulting in inevitable confusion as they disagree over insignificant details like the names of the main characters.) They are also (well...more
Norse mythology is great! :D Except I swear, every female goddess/mortal cries at the littlest thing.
Sif: "Omg my hair isn't golden anymore, you won't love me, Thor, anymore so I'm just going to lock myself away because being blonde is everything."
Idunn: "Omg someone's apples are better than mine? /slits wrist"
I wonder if Greek mythology is this dramatic, ahaha. Who am I kidding? They're probably more dramatic.
Sif: "Omg my hair isn't golden anymore, you won't love me, Thor, anymore so I'm just going to lock myself away because being blonde is everything."
Idunn: "Omg someone's apples are better than mine? /slits wrist"
I wonder if Greek mythology is this dramatic, ahaha. Who am I kidding? They're probably more dramatic.
Norse mythology retold as a very satisfying prose narrative by Irish writer Colum. It has remained a favorite since its first publication in 1920. Like the D'Aulaires, he draws upon the material of the Eddas with the addition of the heroic tales of Sigurd, the Volsungs, the Nibelung, and their cursed treasure.
A great book as an intro to Norse mythology, it is completely devoid of literary analysis or any sort of historical context. That makes it a quick easy read, but may frustrate those looking for a more in depth look at Norse myths. It is much easier to digest however, than anything by Snorri Sturluson!
I love reading about these old Nordic tales but I felt that this edition was rather incomplete, as they didn't even mention how Sleipnir came into being and their chapter on Ragnarok felt very incomplete and short. I enjoyed the tales and thought they were well done but the last chaper on Ragnarok felt like it could have been better written. It basically gave a slight overview. Regardless, the tales in this book were still interesting and there were many that I enjoyed.
A great translation and coherent compilation of Norse myths for the average person or child. The myths weave seamlessly from one chapter to the next and present a wonderful overall picture of the Norse pantheon. I wouldn't be surprised if Tolkien read this to his children.
Ragnarok, the Twilight of the Gods, has occurred and man has been left to rule the earth. I enjoyed this version without the illustrations. As I read these ancient stories, it kept occurring to me the similarity between Biblical and modern stories. Enjoyable myth telling.
The Children of Odin stories start out in a garden, where the Gods live. One goddess picks the apples from the tree, and gives them to the other gods to keep them young. There are many stories or betrayal, hatred, envy, battles, magic, love, loyalty, etc. The last battle begins with a winter that lasts three years. There is a big flood, that kills all but one man and one woman, who repopulate the world. The God's battle the evil gods, but both die, leaving younger gods to rule the earth.
I don't have a lot of experience reading mythological books like this, but I really enjoyed the way Colum wrote these. They've got a regal sort of "spaketh" tone to them, but the story isn't hard to follow. An excellent introduction to Norse Mythology.
Not exactly what I was hoping for, but still greatly enjoyable. While much of the book may be 'censored' to the extent that the original stories are downplayed a bit, this book is perfect for casual reading. The style and writing even allows for one to read this book to children and give them a taste of the grand lore behind much of Western art and literature.
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Padraic Colum was an Irish poet, novelist, dramatist, biographer and collector of folklore. He was one of the leading figures of the Celtic Revival. (Source)
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