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Why Odin Drinks #1
Why Odin Drinks
So, I loved it! Here's my quote: "Funny, quirky and surreal, this is the Norse myth you've been craving." Will it do? – Joanne Harris, author of The Gospel of Loki and Chocolat
In the beginning there was confusion.
Then Gods created people.
Confusion was better.
Well, have YOU ever woken up not knowing how to God properly? Poor Odin must restrain his brothers, who create offensive weapons such as mosquitoes and celery; placate his future-telling wife, Frigg, who demands sweatpants with pockets; listen to Loki’s Helpful Questions; hang himself from Yggdrasil for nine days with a spear through his side (as you do); teach everyone about nutritional values of kale (but NOT celery); meet a Wise Dom, Sir Daddy Mímir, in order to outwit those who outwit him; and, most importantly, prove he is The All-Father, while his brothers are, at best, Those-Uncles-We-Don’t-Talk-About.
This nearly (except in Vanaheim) universally acclaimed retelling of the Gods’ first millennium answers way too many questions, including ones on Freyr’s entendre, horse designing… and why Odin drinks.
Why Odin Drinks, a Norse Mythology retelling for fans of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jenny Lawson, and Calvin & Hobbes is suitable for readers aged 14+. The book features no graphic descriptions, although some characters wish it would.
In the beginning there was confusion.
Then Gods created people.
Confusion was better.
Well, have YOU ever woken up not knowing how to God properly? Poor Odin must restrain his brothers, who create offensive weapons such as mosquitoes and celery; placate his future-telling wife, Frigg, who demands sweatpants with pockets; listen to Loki’s Helpful Questions; hang himself from Yggdrasil for nine days with a spear through his side (as you do); teach everyone about nutritional values of kale (but NOT celery); meet a Wise Dom, Sir Daddy Mímir, in order to outwit those who outwit him; and, most importantly, prove he is The All-Father, while his brothers are, at best, Those-Uncles-We-Don’t-Talk-About.
This nearly (except in Vanaheim) universally acclaimed retelling of the Gods’ first millennium answers way too many questions, including ones on Freyr’s entendre, horse designing… and why Odin drinks.
Why Odin Drinks, a Norse Mythology retelling for fans of Terry Pratchett, Douglas Adams, Jenny Lawson, and Calvin & Hobbes is suitable for readers aged 14+. The book features no graphic descriptions, although some characters wish it would.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
15 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Bjørn Larssen
7 books154 followersBjørn Larssen is a Norse heathen made in Poland, but mostly located in a Dutch suburb, except for his heart which he lost in Iceland. Born in 1977, he self-published his first graphic novel at the age of seven in a limited edition of one, following this achievement several decades later with his first book containing multiple sentences and winning awards he didn’t design himself. His writing is described as ‘dark’ and ‘literary’, but he remains incapable of taking anything seriously for more than 60 seconds.
Bjørn has a degree in mathematics and has worked as a graphic designer, a model, a bartender, and a blacksmith (not all at the same time). His hobbies include sitting by open fires, dressing like an extra from Vikings, installing operating systems, and dreaming about living in a log cabin in the north of Iceland. He owns one (1) husband and is owned by one (1) neighbourhood cat.
Bjørn has a degree in mathematics and has worked as a graphic designer, a model, a bartender, and a blacksmith (not all at the same time). His hobbies include sitting by open fires, dressing like an extra from Vikings, installing operating systems, and dreaming about living in a log cabin in the north of Iceland. He owns one (1) husband and is owned by one (1) neighbourhood cat.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 4, 2022
Hilarious and entertaining with more double entendres than you can shake Odin’s Stick at, Why Odin Drinks smashes you across the face with the force of an Yggdrasil-forged club. It’s hard to say which hits hardest: the brilliantly biting satire, penetrating insight into humanity’s foibles, or blissfully reckless absurdity.
It’s safe(word) to say that Larssen’s tight prose is stuffed to bursting with wis(e)dom.
It’s safe(word) to say that Larssen’s tight prose is stuffed to bursting with wis(e)dom.
September 6, 2022
A delightful, quirky satire of alternative Norse mythology.
March 12, 2022
"This isn't funny."
"Was it ever meant to be?"
That is the question the reader might find themselves asking when they read the astounding author Bjørn Larssen's latest dark fantasy satire, "Why Odin Drinks".
Make no mistake, this book, a collection of four novellas, including the previously published "Creation", is incredibly humorous. But it is also very haunting, and startlingly, disturbingly prescient.
The book picks up where "Creation" left off, but includes the entirety of that novella at the beginning of the book. "Loki Runes Everything", "Fashionteller", "The Well of Wise Dom" are the stories added.
Odin's viewpoint, and his personal story, evolving from fumbling god, to something very different, is still focus of the narrative. Nonetheless, Frigg, Loki, and Freya all figure prominently, along with Heimdall, Ask, Embla, Mímir, and the spectre of poor Audhumla. Larssen treats us to at least partial views or inferences to all of The Ten Worlds of Asgardian cosmology. Yggrasill, the World Tree, which supports the Ten Worlds, plays an important part in the book, as do the Norns.
Larssen's prose has always been great, but he steps it up a notch with "Why Odin Drinks". Many of the lines in the book will grip the reader, and refuse to let go.
"...Such was the power of italics, when they arose from the dead, they were noticeably quiet."
It's easy to get overawed at Larssen's prose, and his more than impressive grasp of Norse Mythology, for he is an expert. It's easy to simply admire how authentic Larssen's writing is, and how close he cleaves to the legendarium, with everything as close to canon (if that truly exists) as can be, when it comes to Norse tales. And, it's even easier to laugh out loud, throughout the book, at Larssen's humour. He's damn funny. Funny "ha ha" and funny clever.
"The list kept expanding anyway, in a slightly deluded way, not unlike what would be called TBR piles in the future."
The reader will be howling at Odin's sexual escapades, as he "lets it slip that he is the All-Father" in order to impress and to bed as many "investigable specimens" as possible.
Even some of the most dire (and ironic) moments, like when the creator Odin sacrifices himself to...himself, feature some belly-holding laughs.
But with all the belly-laughs to be gotten, readers are discerning, and amidst the snickers, one will pick up on that feeling of an increasingly sinister vibe in All-Father Odin, that began mid "Creation", and only escalates as the other novellas progress. Lest we forget, many interpretations of Odin describe him as very selfish, utterly callous, and a being with no real respect for human values like fairness or justice.
"Those were just failed sketches, an early phase in his artistic career. Very early. Very failed. Sketches that criticized the artist."
Yet for me, perhaps the most startling thing about this book is an aspect that creeps me out. Larssen wrote his book prior to the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the hair will literally stand up on the back of your neck when you read the last part of the book, and ponder how what Odin says relates to that horrible crisis.
Is Larssen a prophet? One might wonder. Odin's words make us quake with dread, and it could have come from the mouth of many a despot, including ones that live and breathe today.
"You need to start wars to end them."
Mímir is supposed to be a god renowned for his knowledge and wisdom, and initially thinks he has the advantage over Odin and proceeds to school him, but he falls into Odin's trap. Odin's foresight as the creator can't be challenged, and when Odin gets the upper hand it's some of the most disquieting (and accurate) dialogue I have read in a long time.
Larssen is never preachy to the reader; and he never insults the reader's intelligence. But underneath his jibes is a seriousness and veracity that slaps us cold in the face when we least expect it, and we wonder if we really understood what he was REALLY saying all along. Were we too busy laughing?
That moment when you are chuckling with your friend about a joke they made and then you suddenly stop in your tracks and ask yourself: "Wait a minute! Were you just making fun of me? Or were you making fun of yourself?"
"Perhaps creation and destruction weren't mutually exclusive; perhaps they needed each other; perhaps they were one in the same."
Now in my 50s, I have read lots of fantasy in my lifetime and a fair bit of satire. But until I read "Why Odin Drinks" I have never read a more gratifying yet droll book that so successfully made me laugh while so unerringly commenting on the fallibility of human society, and thus making me pause at the same time. Larseen is mocking himself, mocking all of us, because, I think, he wants us to listen, before it's too late.
Not all Larssen's humour will appeal to everyone, and that's understandable. But when one ponders just how incredible, fantastic, yet juvenile and absurd our very existence is sometimes, I'm not certain that anything or any way Larseen pokes fun is any worse.
When I think of "Why Odin Drinks", I can only think of the words "hilarious" and brilliant". When I think of Bjørn Larssen, I can only think of the word "genius".
Somewhere, I believe, the esteemed Terry Pratchett, is smiling and nodding with approval at Larssen, who appears to be on a path to inheriting Pratchett's throne as the best fantasy satirist to-date.
"Was it ever meant to be?"
That is the question the reader might find themselves asking when they read the astounding author Bjørn Larssen's latest dark fantasy satire, "Why Odin Drinks".
Make no mistake, this book, a collection of four novellas, including the previously published "Creation", is incredibly humorous. But it is also very haunting, and startlingly, disturbingly prescient.
The book picks up where "Creation" left off, but includes the entirety of that novella at the beginning of the book. "Loki Runes Everything", "Fashionteller", "The Well of Wise Dom" are the stories added.
Odin's viewpoint, and his personal story, evolving from fumbling god, to something very different, is still focus of the narrative. Nonetheless, Frigg, Loki, and Freya all figure prominently, along with Heimdall, Ask, Embla, Mímir, and the spectre of poor Audhumla. Larssen treats us to at least partial views or inferences to all of The Ten Worlds of Asgardian cosmology. Yggrasill, the World Tree, which supports the Ten Worlds, plays an important part in the book, as do the Norns.
Larssen's prose has always been great, but he steps it up a notch with "Why Odin Drinks". Many of the lines in the book will grip the reader, and refuse to let go.
"...Such was the power of italics, when they arose from the dead, they were noticeably quiet."
It's easy to get overawed at Larssen's prose, and his more than impressive grasp of Norse Mythology, for he is an expert. It's easy to simply admire how authentic Larssen's writing is, and how close he cleaves to the legendarium, with everything as close to canon (if that truly exists) as can be, when it comes to Norse tales. And, it's even easier to laugh out loud, throughout the book, at Larssen's humour. He's damn funny. Funny "ha ha" and funny clever.
"The list kept expanding anyway, in a slightly deluded way, not unlike what would be called TBR piles in the future."
The reader will be howling at Odin's sexual escapades, as he "lets it slip that he is the All-Father" in order to impress and to bed as many "investigable specimens" as possible.
Even some of the most dire (and ironic) moments, like when the creator Odin sacrifices himself to...himself, feature some belly-holding laughs.
But with all the belly-laughs to be gotten, readers are discerning, and amidst the snickers, one will pick up on that feeling of an increasingly sinister vibe in All-Father Odin, that began mid "Creation", and only escalates as the other novellas progress. Lest we forget, many interpretations of Odin describe him as very selfish, utterly callous, and a being with no real respect for human values like fairness or justice.
"Those were just failed sketches, an early phase in his artistic career. Very early. Very failed. Sketches that criticized the artist."
Yet for me, perhaps the most startling thing about this book is an aspect that creeps me out. Larssen wrote his book prior to the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine. But the hair will literally stand up on the back of your neck when you read the last part of the book, and ponder how what Odin says relates to that horrible crisis.
Is Larssen a prophet? One might wonder. Odin's words make us quake with dread, and it could have come from the mouth of many a despot, including ones that live and breathe today.
"You need to start wars to end them."
Mímir is supposed to be a god renowned for his knowledge and wisdom, and initially thinks he has the advantage over Odin and proceeds to school him, but he falls into Odin's trap. Odin's foresight as the creator can't be challenged, and when Odin gets the upper hand it's some of the most disquieting (and accurate) dialogue I have read in a long time.
Larssen is never preachy to the reader; and he never insults the reader's intelligence. But underneath his jibes is a seriousness and veracity that slaps us cold in the face when we least expect it, and we wonder if we really understood what he was REALLY saying all along. Were we too busy laughing?
That moment when you are chuckling with your friend about a joke they made and then you suddenly stop in your tracks and ask yourself: "Wait a minute! Were you just making fun of me? Or were you making fun of yourself?"
"Perhaps creation and destruction weren't mutually exclusive; perhaps they needed each other; perhaps they were one in the same."
Now in my 50s, I have read lots of fantasy in my lifetime and a fair bit of satire. But until I read "Why Odin Drinks" I have never read a more gratifying yet droll book that so successfully made me laugh while so unerringly commenting on the fallibility of human society, and thus making me pause at the same time. Larseen is mocking himself, mocking all of us, because, I think, he wants us to listen, before it's too late.
Not all Larssen's humour will appeal to everyone, and that's understandable. But when one ponders just how incredible, fantastic, yet juvenile and absurd our very existence is sometimes, I'm not certain that anything or any way Larseen pokes fun is any worse.
When I think of "Why Odin Drinks", I can only think of the words "hilarious" and brilliant". When I think of Bjørn Larssen, I can only think of the word "genius".
Somewhere, I believe, the esteemed Terry Pratchett, is smiling and nodding with approval at Larssen, who appears to be on a path to inheriting Pratchett's throne as the best fantasy satirist to-date.
March 16, 2022
I read a digital arc of Why Odin Drinks on behalf of Rosie Amber’s Book Review Team #RBRT. Thank you to the author, Bjørn Larssen for the opportunity to read and review this book before it is published.
Why Odin Drinks is a collection of four comedic fantasy retellings of the Norse myths. The stories are peppered with familiar names from the Norse myths and stories which have been told many times in Norse fantasy, but never before with such snarky and irreverent humour. Larssen’s take on the myths is truly original and well worth reading.
In the first story, Creation, which was previously published as a standalone, we see Odin and his lesser known brothers Vili and Ve on a creation spree with wide eyed abandon.
Odin philosophizes about what makes a thing alive and whether it is OK to eat such things. Vili continues making pretty things and Ve makes things that cause pain and destruction.
When humans are added to the mix the author includes some social commentary.
Chaos ensues until a tragedy occurs and gives the gods pause. Then Odin turns introspective while considering that actions have consequences – even those of the gods…
Creation’s tongue in cheek humour is refreshing and makes for many laugh out loud moments.
The second story is Loki Runes Everything, in which Odin is continuing to haphazardly create things without any kind of order or planning – until he comes to the conclusion that he needs both a plan and someone to organise him – he needs a wife! I’m sure many people will be able to relate to this feeling. And wouldn’t it be perfect if his wife could see the future and help decide which order to create things in? Enter Frigg. Now everything will be perfect, right? It isn’t long before the reality of living with said wife and trying to satisfy her every whim kicks in.
Frigg sees everything in the future all at once which is highly overwhelming – particularly since she doesn’t have any coffee, pillows, Manolos or concealer yet!! What has Odin been playing at?!
In this story Larssen includes the myth where Odin hangs from the World Tree, Yggdrasil with a spear in his side in order to procure the power of runes, Loki having trussed him up and stuck the spear in him as per Odin’s request. Up to this point, his main advisor has been Madam A (Angrboda from the myths), whose propensity for bondage has given him ideas suggesting being hanged from a tree might be enjoyable at some level.
When Odin meets the three Norns, they have an interesting lesson in verb tenses for Odin, which must have been extremely difficult to write and/or edit, with each sister speaking in their own tense the whole time, with Odin getting more and more confused:
““So I am sitting here with time?” Odin asked, paying less attention to Skuld’s words than he will think he should. Had. Would have will.”
Story 3 is Fashionteller and features Frigg as a future-telling fashion victim goddess. I enjoyed Frigg’s description of her visions as “future burps” and her unhealthy obsession with a future tv show called Blabbing with Bjarnisdóttirs. There are so many things she has seen and wants to own now, but her voracious appetite will not be slaked if she cannot describe the things properly to Odin, their creator.
When Freya and Freyr show up from Vanaheim, Freya’s condescension towards frumpy Frigg reminded me of Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek.
Frigg’s constant disappearing into visions of the future are annoying Skuld since the things Frigg sees will now have to happen and that complicates the Norns’ tapestry of Time.
I really enjoyed Frigg’s characterisation. No wonder she is cranky when she can’t yet have all of the lovely future things she sees and is constantly being mansplained to by people who don’t know anywhere near as much as she does and can’t take their eyes off her chest.
Larssen has an engaging way of addressing the reader without actually doing so directly:
“The list kept expanding anyway in a slightly deluded way, not unlike what would be called TBR piles in the future. Unfortunately, similar to all owners of TBR piles, Frigg didn’t know which of her expectations were unrealistic.”
The final story is The Well of Wise-Dom which has a number of insightful and somewhat prophetic comments to make about war. Sir Daddy Mímir is the leather-clad Wise-Dom who tries to stop Odin from seeking all knowledge by drinking from his well. But Odin being Odin is stubborn and determined to do whatever he wants. He gains insight into how to win wars – by having the best, strongest and hardest warriors:
“The only way to stop a great army is to have an even greater army.”
“…What I’m saying is that there is no such thing as inevitable when you have control.”
Bjørn Larssen is an exceptionally talented comedic writer. His timing is perfect and the hilarity flows so well that you can read each of these novellas in one sitting. However there is always an intelligent social commentary to be found not too far beneath the surface satire of his stories. If you are a fan of absurd humour with a point of view, you will love this book as much as I did!
Why Odin Drinks is a collection of four comedic fantasy retellings of the Norse myths. The stories are peppered with familiar names from the Norse myths and stories which have been told many times in Norse fantasy, but never before with such snarky and irreverent humour. Larssen’s take on the myths is truly original and well worth reading.
In the first story, Creation, which was previously published as a standalone, we see Odin and his lesser known brothers Vili and Ve on a creation spree with wide eyed abandon.
Odin philosophizes about what makes a thing alive and whether it is OK to eat such things. Vili continues making pretty things and Ve makes things that cause pain and destruction.
When humans are added to the mix the author includes some social commentary.
Chaos ensues until a tragedy occurs and gives the gods pause. Then Odin turns introspective while considering that actions have consequences – even those of the gods…
Creation’s tongue in cheek humour is refreshing and makes for many laugh out loud moments.
The second story is Loki Runes Everything, in which Odin is continuing to haphazardly create things without any kind of order or planning – until he comes to the conclusion that he needs both a plan and someone to organise him – he needs a wife! I’m sure many people will be able to relate to this feeling. And wouldn’t it be perfect if his wife could see the future and help decide which order to create things in? Enter Frigg. Now everything will be perfect, right? It isn’t long before the reality of living with said wife and trying to satisfy her every whim kicks in.
Frigg sees everything in the future all at once which is highly overwhelming – particularly since she doesn’t have any coffee, pillows, Manolos or concealer yet!! What has Odin been playing at?!
In this story Larssen includes the myth where Odin hangs from the World Tree, Yggdrasil with a spear in his side in order to procure the power of runes, Loki having trussed him up and stuck the spear in him as per Odin’s request. Up to this point, his main advisor has been Madam A (Angrboda from the myths), whose propensity for bondage has given him ideas suggesting being hanged from a tree might be enjoyable at some level.
When Odin meets the three Norns, they have an interesting lesson in verb tenses for Odin, which must have been extremely difficult to write and/or edit, with each sister speaking in their own tense the whole time, with Odin getting more and more confused:
““So I am sitting here with time?” Odin asked, paying less attention to Skuld’s words than he will think he should. Had. Would have will.”
Story 3 is Fashionteller and features Frigg as a future-telling fashion victim goddess. I enjoyed Frigg’s description of her visions as “future burps” and her unhealthy obsession with a future tv show called Blabbing with Bjarnisdóttirs. There are so many things she has seen and wants to own now, but her voracious appetite will not be slaked if she cannot describe the things properly to Odin, their creator.
When Freya and Freyr show up from Vanaheim, Freya’s condescension towards frumpy Frigg reminded me of Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek.
Frigg’s constant disappearing into visions of the future are annoying Skuld since the things Frigg sees will now have to happen and that complicates the Norns’ tapestry of Time.
I really enjoyed Frigg’s characterisation. No wonder she is cranky when she can’t yet have all of the lovely future things she sees and is constantly being mansplained to by people who don’t know anywhere near as much as she does and can’t take their eyes off her chest.
Larssen has an engaging way of addressing the reader without actually doing so directly:
“The list kept expanding anyway in a slightly deluded way, not unlike what would be called TBR piles in the future. Unfortunately, similar to all owners of TBR piles, Frigg didn’t know which of her expectations were unrealistic.”
The final story is The Well of Wise-Dom which has a number of insightful and somewhat prophetic comments to make about war. Sir Daddy Mímir is the leather-clad Wise-Dom who tries to stop Odin from seeking all knowledge by drinking from his well. But Odin being Odin is stubborn and determined to do whatever he wants. He gains insight into how to win wars – by having the best, strongest and hardest warriors:
“The only way to stop a great army is to have an even greater army.”
“…What I’m saying is that there is no such thing as inevitable when you have control.”
Bjørn Larssen is an exceptionally talented comedic writer. His timing is perfect and the hilarity flows so well that you can read each of these novellas in one sitting. However there is always an intelligent social commentary to be found not too far beneath the surface satire of his stories. If you are a fan of absurd humour with a point of view, you will love this book as much as I did!
March 9, 2022
Satire isn’t easy to write. It demands an additional ingredient to the usual literary mix. Humour. And not just any humour either. We’re not talking the occasional joke. Humour needs to make the reader giggle throughout the story. So we’re talking sustainability here. It’s like writing an entire set for a stand-up comedian. Plus, the humour must target the topics being satirised. It needs an acidic edge that makes the reader THINK!
I am fascinated by Norse mythology. It’s why I used it for my latest novel, The Valkyrie of Vanaheim (no plug intended. All, right, perhaps a bit of one. I need to eat once a month.) Bjørn says on his website that the story developed out of the weird, unanswered questions such as: your wife sees the future but refuses to tell you any of it! You have to hang from a tree with a spear in his side. I mean, why?? Bjørn provides answers to these riddles.
My main reason for loving this story so much is its humour. I giggled a lot. Out loud. I don’t do that very often. (I’m old and miserable.) Here’s how this wannabe Viking managed it.
This creation story, told primarily from Odin’s point of view, exaggerates the ridiculousness of starting a world from scratch. It’s compounded by sibling rivalry where Odin and his two brothers (he has brothers??) compete to create the best things. If this part doesn’t turn you vegan then you are heartless and I have nothing more to say to you.
There is also the incongruity of set pieces which draw attention to the ridiculousness of world-making and its consequences. Why would any god see fit to create mosquitoes, wasps and celery? Their drawbacks lead to silly outcomes that will set you off giggling. They will!
As the story progresses, the All-Father’s power is subverted, reversing the conventions attached to godhood. There is an hilarious section between Odin and Heimdall, he of the muscles, perfect skin and huge double entendre. It grows (sorry!) to include Heimdall’s fella, Daddy Mimir. (I’m giggling as I write this!) He offers a new take on wisdom – or wis-dom.
The cleverest parts are the parodies. The sections which mimic and mock our existence on this blue blob in the universe. The ending proved difficult to read. With events in the world as they are (eg. The invasion of Ukraine) the author’s observations proved unnervingly accurate. There is philosophy here which hits the satire target repeatedly and with force. If it doesn’t startle you and give you pause, well, no wonder you ain’t vegan.
Why Odin Drinks is funny, heart-warmingly so at times. It makes you smile but it also makes you think. As Jonathan Swift, another literary satirist once said, "Satire is a glass wherein beholders discover everybody’s face but their own."
Bjørn Larsson is a modern-day Swift.
I am fascinated by Norse mythology. It’s why I used it for my latest novel, The Valkyrie of Vanaheim (no plug intended. All, right, perhaps a bit of one. I need to eat once a month.) Bjørn says on his website that the story developed out of the weird, unanswered questions such as: your wife sees the future but refuses to tell you any of it! You have to hang from a tree with a spear in his side. I mean, why?? Bjørn provides answers to these riddles.
My main reason for loving this story so much is its humour. I giggled a lot. Out loud. I don’t do that very often. (I’m old and miserable.) Here’s how this wannabe Viking managed it.
This creation story, told primarily from Odin’s point of view, exaggerates the ridiculousness of starting a world from scratch. It’s compounded by sibling rivalry where Odin and his two brothers (he has brothers??) compete to create the best things. If this part doesn’t turn you vegan then you are heartless and I have nothing more to say to you.
There is also the incongruity of set pieces which draw attention to the ridiculousness of world-making and its consequences. Why would any god see fit to create mosquitoes, wasps and celery? Their drawbacks lead to silly outcomes that will set you off giggling. They will!
As the story progresses, the All-Father’s power is subverted, reversing the conventions attached to godhood. There is an hilarious section between Odin and Heimdall, he of the muscles, perfect skin and huge double entendre. It grows (sorry!) to include Heimdall’s fella, Daddy Mimir. (I’m giggling as I write this!) He offers a new take on wisdom – or wis-dom.
The cleverest parts are the parodies. The sections which mimic and mock our existence on this blue blob in the universe. The ending proved difficult to read. With events in the world as they are (eg. The invasion of Ukraine) the author’s observations proved unnervingly accurate. There is philosophy here which hits the satire target repeatedly and with force. If it doesn’t startle you and give you pause, well, no wonder you ain’t vegan.
Why Odin Drinks is funny, heart-warmingly so at times. It makes you smile but it also makes you think. As Jonathan Swift, another literary satirist once said, "Satire is a glass wherein beholders discover everybody’s face but their own."
Bjørn Larsson is a modern-day Swift.
April 2, 2022
They say that everyone has a great novel in them. That may or may not be true, but we've certainly read authors that definitely only had 1 good book to write--but kept writing after that anyway (Bram Stoker, anyone?)
So it is with awe and delight that every time I crack open a book by Bjorn Larssen, it's better than the last one I read. How can one brain hold that much talent (and memory for ALL things Norse mythology)? If Larssen wanted to teach the subject at a university, I think they'd find no one else so thoroughly knowledgeable on the topic, including Odin himself (who, to be fair, seems pretty dense).
I've had the great fortune of reading Larssen's previous books: Storytellers, Children, Creation, and some bits and bobs (we don't talk publicly about the bobs) and he just slays me with his beautiful prose.
Here, we get 4 separate but interconnected novellas, focusing on different aspects of Norse mythology (or history, depending on your religious beliefs). Creation (which I've reviewed before) is just that: The start of everything. Only, when Odin and his brothers come to be, there's already a world with a tree. Just...ya know...nothing else. And they are aware they are Gods, and supposed to create, but they are also aware that *someone* had to have created *them*.
The 3 brothers (Odin the Clueless, Vi the Destroyer and Vili the Artiste-my words, not Larssen's) go about creating. Streams and butterflies and cows (good), celery and mosquitoes and wolves (bad). Bunnies fall into both categories (soft and fluffy and cute. Waaay too many of them. They are like Shr-Odin-ger's animals).
Loki Runes Everything (a genius title I rallied for) is about the appearance of Loki, and of Odin sacrificing himself to...himself...to gain knowledge. Loki is delightful in that he's hilarious, but there is that undercurrent of sociopath in him. You never know who's side he's on (His own. Always only his own). I also love the twist of how he came to be (he was not just wished into existence like flowers).
Fashionteller is the story of Frigg, Odin's poor, put upon wife, and how her need to know the future NOW is her undoing. If I knew about Hitler and pet snakes and tomato soup, I'd probably just wear sweat pants and eat apple pie all day too.
Finally, we have The Well of Wise Dom. Odin realizes he's a rube, even as he's supposed to be THE God of all gods. So he begs to drink from the well that will give him all knowledge. (Um, WHERE did this well come from?!?). But first, he has to convince a leather daddy Dom that he's worthy. Even if he is the guy's boss, at least on paper (once paper is invented).
The book(s) weave a brilliant, rollicking tale that will have you genuinely laughing out loud every page. But the clever thing about Larssen's writing is that he adds layers of pathos, ethos, logos (and Athos-wait, no, that's a Musketeer). While you laugh you also think and you also feel. Every story ends on a kind of gut-punch note, but it's brilliant and makes you say Of Course! One cannot create things without destroying things. One can't demand to see all of the future and then not like what they see. You can't hang upside down from a tree with a spear sticking out of your body and not come away from that changed. And you can't drink from the well of wisdom and not realize you were a true fool to think you could handle what it told you.
So, you laugh and you think, but you also gasp, and sigh and maybe cry or at least sniffle (how soon until Kleenex is invented?).
It takes a special kind of genius to write on so many levels and still be accessible and entertaining to his audience. Bjorn Larssen is such writer.
People (me included) compare him to Pratchett or Adams or Swift, but a day will come when someone compares another author to Larssen instead. And it will be the highest compliment that person could get.
So it is with awe and delight that every time I crack open a book by Bjorn Larssen, it's better than the last one I read. How can one brain hold that much talent (and memory for ALL things Norse mythology)? If Larssen wanted to teach the subject at a university, I think they'd find no one else so thoroughly knowledgeable on the topic, including Odin himself (who, to be fair, seems pretty dense).
I've had the great fortune of reading Larssen's previous books: Storytellers, Children, Creation, and some bits and bobs (we don't talk publicly about the bobs) and he just slays me with his beautiful prose.
Here, we get 4 separate but interconnected novellas, focusing on different aspects of Norse mythology (or history, depending on your religious beliefs). Creation (which I've reviewed before) is just that: The start of everything. Only, when Odin and his brothers come to be, there's already a world with a tree. Just...ya know...nothing else. And they are aware they are Gods, and supposed to create, but they are also aware that *someone* had to have created *them*.
The 3 brothers (Odin the Clueless, Vi the Destroyer and Vili the Artiste-my words, not Larssen's) go about creating. Streams and butterflies and cows (good), celery and mosquitoes and wolves (bad). Bunnies fall into both categories (soft and fluffy and cute. Waaay too many of them. They are like Shr-Odin-ger's animals).
Loki Runes Everything (a genius title I rallied for) is about the appearance of Loki, and of Odin sacrificing himself to...himself...to gain knowledge. Loki is delightful in that he's hilarious, but there is that undercurrent of sociopath in him. You never know who's side he's on (His own. Always only his own). I also love the twist of how he came to be (he was not just wished into existence like flowers).
Fashionteller is the story of Frigg, Odin's poor, put upon wife, and how her need to know the future NOW is her undoing. If I knew about Hitler and pet snakes and tomato soup, I'd probably just wear sweat pants and eat apple pie all day too.
Finally, we have The Well of Wise Dom. Odin realizes he's a rube, even as he's supposed to be THE God of all gods. So he begs to drink from the well that will give him all knowledge. (Um, WHERE did this well come from?!?). But first, he has to convince a leather daddy Dom that he's worthy. Even if he is the guy's boss, at least on paper (once paper is invented).
The book(s) weave a brilliant, rollicking tale that will have you genuinely laughing out loud every page. But the clever thing about Larssen's writing is that he adds layers of pathos, ethos, logos (and Athos-wait, no, that's a Musketeer). While you laugh you also think and you also feel. Every story ends on a kind of gut-punch note, but it's brilliant and makes you say Of Course! One cannot create things without destroying things. One can't demand to see all of the future and then not like what they see. You can't hang upside down from a tree with a spear sticking out of your body and not come away from that changed. And you can't drink from the well of wisdom and not realize you were a true fool to think you could handle what it told you.
So, you laugh and you think, but you also gasp, and sigh and maybe cry or at least sniffle (how soon until Kleenex is invented?).
It takes a special kind of genius to write on so many levels and still be accessible and entertaining to his audience. Bjorn Larssen is such writer.
People (me included) compare him to Pratchett or Adams or Swift, but a day will come when someone compares another author to Larssen instead. And it will be the highest compliment that person could get.
December 4, 2023
This is fun, funny, kind of morbid, and like nothing I've read before. That said, I've desperately got to catch up on reviews,.so, RTC
March 31, 2022
I received an ARC of Why Odin Drinks (WOD) from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. WOD is a collection of four novellas, including the story Creation, which I previously reviewed in January 2022. As a result, this review incorporates parts of my original review of Creation, alongside my thoughts on the other three stories in this collection.
WOD sees Bjørn Larssen taking his inspiration once more from the Norse gods, a theme he previously tackled in his grimdark retelling of Norse mythology in the novel Children, which was released in 2020. WOD might feature some of the same characters found in Children but it’s obvious from the cover this series has a completely different tone. The four tales found in WOD are Creation, Loki Runes Everything, Fashionteller and The Well of Wise Dom, comprising a set of comedy novellas.
Opening with Creation, the Norse gods Odin and his brothers Ve and Vili find themselves … somewhere … Amid a sea of confusion they have to rapidly figure out how to make the various somethings and someones needed fill it all. The result is a comic farce as the new gods learn to god properly, indulging in a flurry of random creation mixed with total naïvety. The chaos of wolves mingling with peacocks and butterflies is but a foretaste of what happens when humans arrive on the scene – their bickering enough to drive Odin to drink (as soon as he’s figured out how to create wine).
Each instalment is a swift read and that’s a good thing. The problem with a humorous book is the joke can wear a bit thin after a while. Larssen knows when to stop, leaving the reader wanting more and also giving them something to think about when each story is over. Every page is packed with fun ideas, snappy one-liners and comedic situations. Blink and you’ll miss a bus load. Some are subtle, while at other times Larssen indulges in broad brush toilet gags and sexual humour. There were points where I was almost having to read Creation through a small gap between my fingers. As the series progresses, though, you see a shift and as more gods appear on the scene the interactions between the characters become more nuanced and multi-layered.
Loki Runes Everything is Larrsen’s take on Loki’s origin story and it was fun to see his character emerge in this way, slowly taking on the attributes we’re familiar with. Fashionteller features Odin’s wife, Frigg, who is cursed with the ability to see into the future. Larrsen maximises the comedy potential here, especially Frigg’s growing frustration as Odin is unable to recreate all the wonders of the world she sees in the future because she can’t properly describe them to him. Even sweatpants with pockets is a step too far in an era when Odin and Frigg are essentially living in the stone age. Slippers are an unobtainable luxury.
With so much material at Larrsen’s disposal, I think it’s inevitable some jokes will work for some people and not for others. That’s fine, though, and it ensures WOD is anything but a one-joke book. It’s packed with great quotes and I had to really restrain myself from quoting everything I highlighted whilst reading the collection. These should give you a flavour:
“If music had been invented by now, it would have been ominous.”
“As man and woman bickered on their way into the still smoking woods, Odin closed his eyes and finally invented counting to ten …”
“He painted himself into a corner, forgetting to create paint before doing so.”
Larssen also cleverly mixes in knowing pop-culture references, touches on the darker side of humanity and doesn’t miss the opportunity to take a shot at wider issues as well:
“Who needed things that had completely no use apart from looking pretty? This nonsense needed to stop before Vili began to insist that his “art” had some sort of value, then demanded to be rewarded for it.”
“Thorns in feet must have been why one day someone would invent yoga mats and insist that the position she was about to twist herself into was not only dignified, but also able to cure many ailments. Especially when done at sunrise.”
“In the future,” Frigg said slowly, “men who use the words ‘well, actually’ when speaking to women, will become incels.”
Fashionteller moves into darker territory by the end, something also reflected in the final story, The Well of Wise Dom. The weight of knowing the future proves a torment for Frigg and Odin’s pursuit of ultimate knowledge and power has unexpected consequences. Larrsen also finds his writing to be uncomfortably prescient of current world events:
“You need to start wars to end them. Sacrifice lives to save them.”
“The only way to stop a great army is to have an even greater army.”
Perhaps this is the most chilling exchange of all:
“When you stir wars, they’ll lead to bigger wars. The more deadly weapons one side uses, the worse the other will invent.”
“Exactly,” Odin nodded.
Larssen is a gifted and versatile writer and he judges this collection just right. Why Odin Drinks had me laughing out loud and it’s an absolute pleasure to read. It’s the kind of book where you find yourself reading out your favourite passages to whoever happens to be sitting nearby, whether they asked you to or not! I’m not sorry.
A follow up, What Odin Drinks, is already in the works. If WOD is anything to go by, that should be another fun and thought-provoking ride.
WOD sees Bjørn Larssen taking his inspiration once more from the Norse gods, a theme he previously tackled in his grimdark retelling of Norse mythology in the novel Children, which was released in 2020. WOD might feature some of the same characters found in Children but it’s obvious from the cover this series has a completely different tone. The four tales found in WOD are Creation, Loki Runes Everything, Fashionteller and The Well of Wise Dom, comprising a set of comedy novellas.
Opening with Creation, the Norse gods Odin and his brothers Ve and Vili find themselves … somewhere … Amid a sea of confusion they have to rapidly figure out how to make the various somethings and someones needed fill it all. The result is a comic farce as the new gods learn to god properly, indulging in a flurry of random creation mixed with total naïvety. The chaos of wolves mingling with peacocks and butterflies is but a foretaste of what happens when humans arrive on the scene – their bickering enough to drive Odin to drink (as soon as he’s figured out how to create wine).
Each instalment is a swift read and that’s a good thing. The problem with a humorous book is the joke can wear a bit thin after a while. Larssen knows when to stop, leaving the reader wanting more and also giving them something to think about when each story is over. Every page is packed with fun ideas, snappy one-liners and comedic situations. Blink and you’ll miss a bus load. Some are subtle, while at other times Larssen indulges in broad brush toilet gags and sexual humour. There were points where I was almost having to read Creation through a small gap between my fingers. As the series progresses, though, you see a shift and as more gods appear on the scene the interactions between the characters become more nuanced and multi-layered.
Loki Runes Everything is Larrsen’s take on Loki’s origin story and it was fun to see his character emerge in this way, slowly taking on the attributes we’re familiar with. Fashionteller features Odin’s wife, Frigg, who is cursed with the ability to see into the future. Larrsen maximises the comedy potential here, especially Frigg’s growing frustration as Odin is unable to recreate all the wonders of the world she sees in the future because she can’t properly describe them to him. Even sweatpants with pockets is a step too far in an era when Odin and Frigg are essentially living in the stone age. Slippers are an unobtainable luxury.
With so much material at Larrsen’s disposal, I think it’s inevitable some jokes will work for some people and not for others. That’s fine, though, and it ensures WOD is anything but a one-joke book. It’s packed with great quotes and I had to really restrain myself from quoting everything I highlighted whilst reading the collection. These should give you a flavour:
“If music had been invented by now, it would have been ominous.”
“As man and woman bickered on their way into the still smoking woods, Odin closed his eyes and finally invented counting to ten …”
“He painted himself into a corner, forgetting to create paint before doing so.”
Larssen also cleverly mixes in knowing pop-culture references, touches on the darker side of humanity and doesn’t miss the opportunity to take a shot at wider issues as well:
“Who needed things that had completely no use apart from looking pretty? This nonsense needed to stop before Vili began to insist that his “art” had some sort of value, then demanded to be rewarded for it.”
“Thorns in feet must have been why one day someone would invent yoga mats and insist that the position she was about to twist herself into was not only dignified, but also able to cure many ailments. Especially when done at sunrise.”
“In the future,” Frigg said slowly, “men who use the words ‘well, actually’ when speaking to women, will become incels.”
Fashionteller moves into darker territory by the end, something also reflected in the final story, The Well of Wise Dom. The weight of knowing the future proves a torment for Frigg and Odin’s pursuit of ultimate knowledge and power has unexpected consequences. Larrsen also finds his writing to be uncomfortably prescient of current world events:
“You need to start wars to end them. Sacrifice lives to save them.”
“The only way to stop a great army is to have an even greater army.”
Perhaps this is the most chilling exchange of all:
“When you stir wars, they’ll lead to bigger wars. The more deadly weapons one side uses, the worse the other will invent.”
“Exactly,” Odin nodded.
Larssen is a gifted and versatile writer and he judges this collection just right. Why Odin Drinks had me laughing out loud and it’s an absolute pleasure to read. It’s the kind of book where you find yourself reading out your favourite passages to whoever happens to be sitting nearby, whether they asked you to or not! I’m not sorry.
A follow up, What Odin Drinks, is already in the works. If WOD is anything to go by, that should be another fun and thought-provoking ride.
May 4, 2025
I read this book because the blurb advertised the humour and said so many people gave it 5 stars.
So I read the book but I was sadly disappointed.Not my type of humour I guess.
So I read the book but I was sadly disappointed.Not my type of humour I guess.
April 10, 2022
I read the first episode of Bjørn Larssen's (very) alternative Norse mythology, Creation, which is now incorporated into this book - this is good, because I was able to re-read it before embarking on the confused All-Father's further adventures.
I think I would need to know a lot more about Norse mythology than I do in order to fully appreciate this, though I did look up bits and bobs here and there, which helped. The idea of portraying Odin as rather hesitant and not quite sure of his role as ultimate creator, is inspired. Problem is that he and all the other gods (and versions of Odin in the past, present and future) know about everything that will be (which seems logical, what with them being deities), but are not always sure whether items or concepts actually exist yet. Like Odin's wife Frigg not being sure what a miniskirt is, but knowing she wants one.
'What sort of tea will you have?'
'They haven't discovered it yet,' said Urðr. 'He looks like the lapsang souchong type to me, though.'
One of my favourite aspects was the occasional presence of 'literature'. She is an entity that whispers to Odin's mind a piece of information pertaining to something that has just been said, such as 'Loki is foreshadowing', but Odin cannot see her; he just hears the sound of her sneakers as she sprints away. I love that.
In parts 2-4 we meet many more gods - Loki, Freya and Freyr, and Frigg. Freya, goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, war and gold (pretty much all the most important things to a Norseman, one imagines) is portrayed as a sort of Paris Hilton type, which I thought was genius.
'As he travelled, Odin thoroughly investigated people of all shapes and sizes, casually letting it slip that he was the All-Father'.
Some of the time the references went over my head because of my lack of knowledge of the subject, though other times I felt the prose needed a bit of tightening up; it seemed to career away with itself now and again. However, the good is very very good, and I also liked the pertinent observations about life and death, time and war, woven amongst the ridiculousness. And the ending. Clever.
A light-hearted romp through Norse mythology, and a fitting development for Bjørn Larssen's comedic talent!
I think I would need to know a lot more about Norse mythology than I do in order to fully appreciate this, though I did look up bits and bobs here and there, which helped. The idea of portraying Odin as rather hesitant and not quite sure of his role as ultimate creator, is inspired. Problem is that he and all the other gods (and versions of Odin in the past, present and future) know about everything that will be (which seems logical, what with them being deities), but are not always sure whether items or concepts actually exist yet. Like Odin's wife Frigg not being sure what a miniskirt is, but knowing she wants one.
'What sort of tea will you have?'
'They haven't discovered it yet,' said Urðr. 'He looks like the lapsang souchong type to me, though.'
One of my favourite aspects was the occasional presence of 'literature'. She is an entity that whispers to Odin's mind a piece of information pertaining to something that has just been said, such as 'Loki is foreshadowing', but Odin cannot see her; he just hears the sound of her sneakers as she sprints away. I love that.
In parts 2-4 we meet many more gods - Loki, Freya and Freyr, and Frigg. Freya, goddess of love, beauty, fertility, sex, war and gold (pretty much all the most important things to a Norseman, one imagines) is portrayed as a sort of Paris Hilton type, which I thought was genius.
'As he travelled, Odin thoroughly investigated people of all shapes and sizes, casually letting it slip that he was the All-Father'.
Some of the time the references went over my head because of my lack of knowledge of the subject, though other times I felt the prose needed a bit of tightening up; it seemed to career away with itself now and again. However, the good is very very good, and I also liked the pertinent observations about life and death, time and war, woven amongst the ridiculousness. And the ending. Clever.
A light-hearted romp through Norse mythology, and a fitting development for Bjørn Larssen's comedic talent!
March 12, 2022
Having read and enjoyed a novel by this author some time ago, I was intrigued by the gorgeous cover of this book, which I found so delightful that I had high expectations for what I was about to read. And while so much in life falls short of expectations, this clever, imaginative, and quirky novella exceeded them.
I can’t say that I know a thing about Norse Mythology, but what interested me was the retelling of creation – and indeed – wondering what it would be like for someone to wake up and find oneself to be a god … with no idea of what to do.
Larssen’s thought-provoking words, wrapped in humor, touched on so many nuances of creation … many striking a deep chord with me. While written in the most amusing way, I found that I would stop and think such things as: This is a really good question, I’ve never really considered this, Very clever indeed. I never imagined enjoyed “primitive humor” as much as this. As gender and sexuality were introduced, with a smile, I understood why we only began with Adam and Eve.
And yes, if I had just appeared on Earth, I too might wonder why the air was biting me had I no knowledge of mosquitoes.
This wonderful novella is rich with charm, wit, and excellent writing.
I can’t say that I know a thing about Norse Mythology, but what interested me was the retelling of creation – and indeed – wondering what it would be like for someone to wake up and find oneself to be a god … with no idea of what to do.
Larssen’s thought-provoking words, wrapped in humor, touched on so many nuances of creation … many striking a deep chord with me. While written in the most amusing way, I found that I would stop and think such things as: This is a really good question, I’ve never really considered this, Very clever indeed. I never imagined enjoyed “primitive humor” as much as this. As gender and sexuality were introduced, with a smile, I understood why we only began with Adam and Eve.
And yes, if I had just appeared on Earth, I too might wonder why the air was biting me had I no knowledge of mosquitoes.
This wonderful novella is rich with charm, wit, and excellent writing.
January 16, 2023
Not funny.
December 30, 2024
This is such a brilliant and very funny set of four stories following some of the Norse mythology beginning with the story of how the world was created. Odin and his brothers Vili and Vé wake up and find themselves, somewhere. Odin isn’t sure where they are or what is happening but soon the three brothers are walking and deciding to create streams, rivers mountains and grass, but with no real clue of what they should be doing. When one of his brothers creates celery as a food for them, and Odin tries it, he’s determined never to eat the foul substance again, so Odin decides to create something that can provide food and drink, but he’s not sure how to get to the drink and food from the cow he creates. And the cow, now called Audhumla doesn’t look impressed with him either.
I really enjoyed reading this from the very start. The book is made up of four stories: Creation, Loki Ruins Everything, Fashionteller and The Well of Wise Dom. Each story continues from the previous one and they all follow the Norse mythology, albeit rather loosely and in a completely new and very funny way. The first story, Creation, was my favourite with even the first few lines of speech between Odin and his brothers making me laugh out loud! As the brothers continue to create the world, I just love how silly each situation is with none of them knowing anything and having to figure out even basic things like how cows work and the silly way that birds are assumed to reproduce. I love how even the cow, Audhumla, is given a personality in this story and continues to be mentioned in the subsequent tales too.
The second story ‘Loki Ruins Everything’ is interesting too, following the story of Odin’s self sacrifice, but with so much more ridiculousness! I like Loki’s origin story in this and the confusing Norn conversation that is later had. The third tale ‘Fashionteller’ follows Frigg, Odin’s wife, rather than Odin as the main character and although again it’s bursting with lots of silliness, I did feel as if this story was overall less humorous than the other three. The final story ‘The Well of Wise Dom’ is another funny one, once again following the story of Odin at Mírmir’s Well although what happens exactly is very different from the traditional Norse tales and had me laughing again at just how silly everything was.
There are so many funny moments in this book. The humour is so brilliant with characters like Odin and Frigg knowing and uttering modern terms and words like “BMX, FML” and ‘steam train’ without really knowing what they are yet. The situations are so over the top and silly, with animals having personalities, Odin being vegetarian, and a good dose of sexual inuendos too, although nothing that’s too dark reading. Even serious moments like at some point when a character is about to be stabbed with a spear, are given to silliness as the character’s organs decide which of them should be pierced, which is least important, yes literally body organs suddenly speaking.😂
Although this book is good, there were a few times when this book slowed down for me a bit. A few times there was almost too much going on at once that it detracted a little from the humour and made me desperate for more chapter breaks. I also disappointingly found Frigg’s story less funny than the other three, probably as her character was just less funny than the clueless Odin. However overall I really enjoyed this new humorous take on the Norse orgin myths and can’t wait to read more books that will hopefully continue to follow through the rest of the mythology. I love the new take on the Allfather’s character being less all-knowing and instead very silly and clueless half the time. You can read this book even if you’ve never heard of the Norse myths before, but I do think that this book will make a far funnier impression on anyone who knows the original Norse mythology, like I do, as you will instantly see where this book separates from the more serious tales and it’ll make you enjoy this so much more. 🙂
-Thanks to the Indie Ink Awards for a free copy.
I really enjoyed reading this from the very start. The book is made up of four stories: Creation, Loki Ruins Everything, Fashionteller and The Well of Wise Dom. Each story continues from the previous one and they all follow the Norse mythology, albeit rather loosely and in a completely new and very funny way. The first story, Creation, was my favourite with even the first few lines of speech between Odin and his brothers making me laugh out loud! As the brothers continue to create the world, I just love how silly each situation is with none of them knowing anything and having to figure out even basic things like how cows work and the silly way that birds are assumed to reproduce. I love how even the cow, Audhumla, is given a personality in this story and continues to be mentioned in the subsequent tales too.
The second story ‘Loki Ruins Everything’ is interesting too, following the story of Odin’s self sacrifice, but with so much more ridiculousness! I like Loki’s origin story in this and the confusing Norn conversation that is later had. The third tale ‘Fashionteller’ follows Frigg, Odin’s wife, rather than Odin as the main character and although again it’s bursting with lots of silliness, I did feel as if this story was overall less humorous than the other three. The final story ‘The Well of Wise Dom’ is another funny one, once again following the story of Odin at Mírmir’s Well although what happens exactly is very different from the traditional Norse tales and had me laughing again at just how silly everything was.
There are so many funny moments in this book. The humour is so brilliant with characters like Odin and Frigg knowing and uttering modern terms and words like “BMX, FML” and ‘steam train’ without really knowing what they are yet. The situations are so over the top and silly, with animals having personalities, Odin being vegetarian, and a good dose of sexual inuendos too, although nothing that’s too dark reading. Even serious moments like at some point when a character is about to be stabbed with a spear, are given to silliness as the character’s organs decide which of them should be pierced, which is least important, yes literally body organs suddenly speaking.😂
Although this book is good, there were a few times when this book slowed down for me a bit. A few times there was almost too much going on at once that it detracted a little from the humour and made me desperate for more chapter breaks. I also disappointingly found Frigg’s story less funny than the other three, probably as her character was just less funny than the clueless Odin. However overall I really enjoyed this new humorous take on the Norse orgin myths and can’t wait to read more books that will hopefully continue to follow through the rest of the mythology. I love the new take on the Allfather’s character being less all-knowing and instead very silly and clueless half the time. You can read this book even if you’ve never heard of the Norse myths before, but I do think that this book will make a far funnier impression on anyone who knows the original Norse mythology, like I do, as you will instantly see where this book separates from the more serious tales and it’ll make you enjoy this so much more. 🙂
-Thanks to the Indie Ink Awards for a free copy.
April 27, 2024
Entertaining, funny, definitely bonkers and sneakily philosophical. One of those books that creeps up on you being all funny and silly, then blindsides you with all these other layers you simply weren't expecting. In the best possible way, too.
In this re-telling of the Norse origin myth, Odin wakes up with his two brothers (who both think they're better All-Fathers than he is) to a world where everything is still waiting to be created. Difficult enough, especially when even the All-Father isn't sure what needs to be created, or what 'everything' is, or how one goes about being an All-Father in the first place. On top of that, he needs to figure out how to stop Vili from making the world too pretty and Vé from making it too bitey, hopefully before anything gets big enough to eat gods. And try to create something for gods to eat that isn't celery or a judgemental cow.
I mean, I'm already sort of seeing why Odin drinks, but drinking hasn't been invented yet, let alone being drunk ...
In this re-telling of the Norse origin myth, Odin wakes up with his two brothers (who both think they're better All-Fathers than he is) to a world where everything is still waiting to be created. Difficult enough, especially when even the All-Father isn't sure what needs to be created, or what 'everything' is, or how one goes about being an All-Father in the first place. On top of that, he needs to figure out how to stop Vili from making the world too pretty and Vé from making it too bitey, hopefully before anything gets big enough to eat gods. And try to create something for gods to eat that isn't celery or a judgemental cow.
I mean, I'm already sort of seeing why Odin drinks, but drinking hasn't been invented yet, let alone being drunk ...
April 9, 2022
I don't know about you but I loved mythology when I was in my teens. I hadn't realized how much I still do till I read Bjørn Larssen's book Children. And now comes Why Odin drinks. Word of advice: dont drink while reading this. You'll just spit it out while laughing so hard. Its broken into four sections, each one wonderfully witty. The Gods in this book are hilarious screwups. Kinda. Odin is my favorite. The author has the best sense of humor and God knows (or is it Odin or Loki knows? Whatever) we really can all use a laugh right now.
After you read this I highly recommend you look at his other books. Storytellers is brilliant.
After you read this I highly recommend you look at his other books. Storytellers is brilliant.
Read
April 13, 2022Coffee met e-reader screen as I was reading this. Some of it is just plain funny (even though I like celery.) Some of it is dark humour, a satirical comment on the world. The Norse gods, like many non-Christian deities, bicker and fight even in the canonical tellings. In Why Odin Drinks, Larssen reinterprets those arguments and conflicts with twists on the original stories, making them both very funny and very pointed. I loved it, but I sugget you read it without coffee - or food/drink or any kind - or risk choking on your laughter.
October 27, 2022
I have this edition in a paperback form which also contains the book Creation. Unfortunately, I can't find that format on Goodreads, so I'm stuck with reviewing it as if it was an ebook.
I didn't find this one as funny as Creation, but it was still amusing. Bits of Terry Pratchett, a bit of Neil Gaiman, some Monty Python. Odin is still trying to figure things out, Frigg can see the future in TV show dreams, and Loki is the pain he always is. The Norns are my favorite part, just trying to work through the grammar of women who see the past, present, and future at one time.
I didn't find this one as funny as Creation, but it was still amusing. Bits of Terry Pratchett, a bit of Neil Gaiman, some Monty Python. Odin is still trying to figure things out, Frigg can see the future in TV show dreams, and Loki is the pain he always is. The Norns are my favorite part, just trying to work through the grammar of women who see the past, present, and future at one time.
August 29, 2023
Book #2
I’ve never read indie fantasy, but I bought 50 books on a whim when I saw the post for a sale and I’m totes choosing the order based purely on cover
I saw the title Why Odin Drinks and thought to myself wait, why does Odin drink? And that made it my next read.
It was hilarious and clever, and I didn’t expect it to like it as much as I did simply because I don’t read much fantasy, mythology or comedy. I thought it was a scream. I got my wife into it and we share lines we find funny.
I’ve never read indie fantasy, but I bought 50 books on a whim when I saw the post for a sale and I’m totes choosing the order based purely on cover
I saw the title Why Odin Drinks and thought to myself wait, why does Odin drink? And that made it my next read.
It was hilarious and clever, and I didn’t expect it to like it as much as I did simply because I don’t read much fantasy, mythology or comedy. I thought it was a scream. I got my wife into it and we share lines we find funny.
March 19, 2022
Why Odin Drinks is a delightful romp through the Norse creation myth through the eyes of an interminably perplexed Odin who hilariously struggles to comprehend the meaning of his own creation. Flagrantly irreverent and exquisitely insightful, Larssen has secured his place on my bookshelf beside the likes of Adams and Pratchett. A must read for lovers of Norse mythology and satire!
April 6, 2022
I hope there's a sequel!
I love this book - the writing style, the humor, the use of acronyms (KKMF!), the characters, and so much more. I now know why Odin drinks, but I do NOT know the appeal of egg whisks. Hopefully this is explained in the next book. Because there WILL be a next book, right, Mr. Author?!?
I love this book - the writing style, the humor, the use of acronyms (KKMF!), the characters, and so much more. I now know why Odin drinks, but I do NOT know the appeal of egg whisks. Hopefully this is explained in the next book. Because there WILL be a next book, right, Mr. Author?!?
December 17, 2023
Much like Odin, I went both ways on this. The first ~30/40% were just fine, then it picked up, then the last 10% was a bit dull again. I liked the writing and would try this author again, but perhaps in a different story or genre.
June 23, 2024
Hilarious
This is a very clever retelling of a few Norse myths. It’s funny and in the style of Terry Pratchett. I really hope there’s a sequel or two there are still plenty of myths to retell.
This is a very clever retelling of a few Norse myths. It’s funny and in the style of Terry Pratchett. I really hope there’s a sequel or two there are still plenty of myths to retell.
July 17, 2024
Nordic confusion as comedy
I'm sure that this book would be more entertaining if I had more knowledge of Nordic mythology than the bits from Wagner's Ring. The seemingly random ramblings made this work an effort to complete reading. I'll suspect that I'm the wrong audience.
I'm sure that this book would be more entertaining if I had more knowledge of Nordic mythology than the bits from Wagner's Ring. The seemingly random ramblings made this work an effort to complete reading. I'll suspect that I'm the wrong audience.
x-not-for-me-or-not-right-now
May 30, 2025Just not really my kind of book. No negative opinions, just not for me. I do have others by the same author to still try that I’m looking forward to.
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