In the Days of Giants: A Book of Norse Tales

by Abbie Farwell Brown, Elmer Boyd Smith (Illustrator)

The oldest stories of every race of people tell about the Beginning of Things. But the various folk who first told them were so very different, the tales are so very old, and have changed so greatly in the telling from one generation to another, that there are almost as many accounts of the way in which the world began as there are nations upon the earth. So it is not strange that the people of the North have a legend of the beginning quite different from that of the Southern, Eastern, and Western folk. This book is made of the stories told by the Northern folk, the people who live in the land of the midnight sun, where summer is green and pleasant, but winter is a terrible time of cold and gloom; where rocky mountains tower like huge giants, over whose heads the thunder rolls and crashes, and under whose feet are mines of precious metals. Therefore you will find the tales full of giants and dwarfs - spirits of the cold mountains and dark caverns. The story of the Beginning of Things is a story of cold and heat, of the wicked giants who loved the cold, and of the good Aesir, who basked in pleasant warmth.

Genres: Mythology, Fiction, Magic, Fantasy

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1902

About the author

Abbie Farwell Brown was born in Boston, Massachusetts on August 21, 1871. Her family resided in New England for ten generations, and Brown spent her entire life living in the family's home. She was the oldest of two children. Her sister, Clara, was also part of the literary world; she became an author and illustrator, using the pen name of Ann Underhill.

In 1886, Brown received the honor of valedictorian of the Bowdoin School. When she went on to the Girls' Latin School, she was one of the founders of the school newspaper, The Jabberwock. Still being published by the school, it is one of the oldest newspapers in the United States. From Girls' Latin School, Brown went to Radcliff College in 1891.

It was during her time at Girls' Latin School that Brown began contributing her writing pieces to magazines, launching her career. In 1900 she published her first children's book, The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts. In addition to stories, Brown also produced poetry for children. Her poetry for adults was not as successful. Writing song lyrics was also part of her accomplishments. The official song of the Girl Scouts of the USA, "On the Trail," was written in part by Brown.

Literary life was important to Brown, and she became a member of various literary clubs and did editing work.

Brown passed away on March 5, 1927 from cancer. She was 55 years old.

from https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poe...

Reviews

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a very entertaining read about Norse Culture, their gods, trolls, elves, giants, Loki, etc. I also find it very interesting how there are ancient elements that spread to the fairy tales of the western world. Jack and Jill are the two children in the moon with a bucket between them and Snow White's dwarfs are evil little miners. It's also interesting to see the beginning in the garden of the fruit of life and the glorious life in Valhalla after death and then Ragnarök and the end of Loki like that of the Satan.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was engaging, it was very violent, and complex. But the charaters in this book are very interesting, and I like how each chapter has a different tale, and how they all tie together in the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys old tales, and myths, because it was a good book for me.

[Laura]

Free download available at Project Gutenberg.

[Kal · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorit books to read over and over

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle elementary introduction to Norse Mythology.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

All of these norse myth books seem to cover the same myths. Very little in terms of morals to the story

[Kaycee Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with Abe for Literature. We didn’t enjoy these retellings as much as the lovely D’aulaires…but still fun and (many times) hilariously ridiculous.

[Rebecca Quillen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9 year old loved this book. We read it together as a read aloud and he was begging to finish it!

[Devon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I preview-read this for the purpose of gift-giving and, as far as retellings of Norse myths goes, this isn't a good one. The writing is competent, and simple enough for younger readers, but the collection of tales is not complete, and I don't believe the author understood the source material.

The basic trajectory of this collection is the creation of the world to the punishment of Loki. Odin and Thor are competently characterized, but Loki is painted as an entirely angry, hateful, and evil character. For this last reason alone, I believe the author didn't understand the source material. Many of the more entertaining stories are cut out (for example, the Lay of Thrym, where Thor goes to get his hammer from Jotunheim in the guise of a bride), and the whole collection is driven by Loki's "evil" acts towards his being bound and punished for the slaying of Balder.

There is an interesting moment, in the beginning of the book, which I have not seen in any retellings that is a matter of academic debate. This author places Loki at the creation of humanity beside Odin and Heimdall. In the lore, it is Odin, Hoenir and Lodur. Heimdall and Loki have been identified with Hoenir and Loki respectively amongst scholars, but no consensus has ever been reached regarding their identities. Seeing Loki in the role of Lodur was exciting - but it presented an unfortunate contradiction with the rest of book, where Loki's earlier role in giving the first humans warmth is forgotten and he becomes a evil caricature.

I would also like to note that this is the only place I have ever seen Loki described as a red head - a commonly held belief, though he is not described as such in the Eddas.

I would not recommend this book for anyone interested in Norse mythology, especially someone with no prior knowledge of the material. Picking up The Children of Odin/Nordic Gods and Heroes or the D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths would be much, much better (the latter, especially, for younger readers).

[Darth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person of Norwegian descent, I have always identified with the Norse. I even find some people I have done business with refering to me as Brad the Viking. Maybe my barrel chest and flowing gold locks aid in this, still...
But I found when it came down to it, all I KNEW about Norse mythology was Thor, Odin, Valhalla, and Loki. And my details on much it it - fuzzy at best.

So when I came across a few books of Norse Mythology in a box of books I was cleaning out for my girlfriends mom, I had to lay claim to them, and now I am workingm y way through them. This one was first.

This particular tome is aimed more at middle school children, but is fairly extensive in at least the tales it tells are many. I am sure anything risque or too violent was glossed over, and the stories are presented in a narritive tone that often over does the foreshadowing. Still for someone like me without a strong backgroung in the subject matter, it was probly just about right. Printed in 1930 by Houghtin Mifflin, this alos came with 5 or 6 illustrationns to inform the tales. Though rich and vibrant for line drawings in black ink with some shading, they didnt do too much to increase my opinion of the lore, but they wee still neat and VERY period, to the time of printing.

It is hard to recomend this book, as I doubt you could find a copy if you tried, still I will, if you are interested, or curious about Norse Mythology, and want to see what it is all about, before you lay down bigger money for fancier, more expensive books on the matter. Now that I say that, I checked, and actually Amazon has this edition for 4 or 5 dollars, so I can recomend this book outright. This book makes a nice incline plane to ease you into the waters or Norse Myths. So see if you feel at home in there, and if you are like me, dive on in.

[Bettie]

"I AM THE GIANT SKRYMIR" (page 150)

NOW I LIKE A REALLY GOOD SAGA, ABOUT GODS AND GIANTS, AND THE FIRE KINGDOMS, AND THE SNOW KINGDOMS, AND THE ÆSIR MAKING MEN AND WOMEN OUT OF TWO STICKS, AND ALL THAT.

- KINGSLEY'S HYPATIA

Opening: THE BEGINNING OF THINGS

The oldest stories of every race of people tell about the Beginning of Things. But the various folk who first told them were so very different, the tales are so very old, and have changed so greatly in the telling from one generation to another, that there are almost as many accounts of the way in which the world began as there are nations upon the earth. So it is not strange that the people of the North have a legend of the Beginning quite different from that of the Southern, Eastern, and Western folk.

This book is made of the stories told by the Northern folk,—the people who live in the land of the midnight sun, where summer is green and pleasant, but winter is a terrible time of cold and gloom; where rocky mountains tower like huge giants, over whose heads the thunder rolls and crashes, and under2 whose feet are mines of precious metals. Therefore you will find the tales full of giants and dwarfs,—spirits of the cold mountains and dark caverns.

The Link

[Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good, I always wondered about Norse culture and their gods and now I know. The book talks about the usual suspects(how the world was created how humans arrived etc.)but it also gave you fun tales of the gods and how mischievous Loki was. Even if you did not choose this book you should still read it it was very good.

[Maeta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this book in my grade school library many, many years ago. I think I checked it out at least twice a year. Then, when I was a parent, I found a copy at an antique book show. I introduced my son to it, and he loves it as much as I. Good way to introduce a child to the world of ancient mythology.

[Gao Tuode · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out from the library about once a month when I was in the 4th grade. Eventually they just sold it to me for a dime.

These are wonderful accounts of a few of the Norse myths. It's a great place to start for those new to the mythology. The illustrations are classic.

It's an easy read that still manages to remain intelligent.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it was very action packed and intriguing. It was hard to put down! Every time you finished a book group assignment, you would want to read the next story! It was very cool to learn about a different culture in that much detail. It was a little hard to understand at times but I still really liked this book.

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful. Writing geared more toward children and young adults, but the stories are just as timeless either way. Anyone who appreciates Norse mythology or folklore altogether will definitely find this read pleasing.

[Nathan]

This book was an incredible book listing a lot of famous Norse story's. it was fun to read this book since even though I don't remember it I still like reading about the place I was born and this book definitely helped. this book was great and it had encouraged me to learn more

[Sean T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

A great telling of those stories we are all so familiar with. I loved the authors take on the old tales. I just wish it didn't end at the death of Baldur and continued to Ragnarök.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book. It tells all of the old Norse legends about giants and gods. It is well written and entertaining.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm highly skeptical of how accurate these tellings are to the Norse mythology canon, but they're certainly an entertaining and engaging read.

[Megan Gallegos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Read, not my favorite story like this but it was good. Entertaining.

[♥♣Mary♦♠ If She So Pleases · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining read. I wish it was more graphic in every way. =)

[Finn J · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little bit confusing. it really taught me a lot about Norse culture. an ok book over all.

[Alexander]

I really liked this as a book group book. My favorite story was The giant builder. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read percy jackson/ Greek, roman mytholigy.