Charlie Stuart
asked:
can I just ask why this isn't marked as a childrens book anywhere because it was sold everywhere with no clear marketing and yet to read beyond five pages is a tad disappointing if you were looking even for a casual book of myths to dip into? I was given it as a present after mentioning I wanted something of the sort and it's clearly a childrens book from the phrasing alone, a shame really.
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Charles
Children's books don't usually talk about drinking mead that comes out of a god's ass and then writing bad poetry as a result.
Noelle
There is nothing about this retelling that is strictly for children. Having read the versions written for children when I was a little girl, this collection retains the elegance of poetry without being poetry...which is quite nice. It has the feel of people telling stories around the fire, which is where these stories would be told. Even written down in the Poetic Eddas, they were spoken stories first, memorized and recited night after night, embroidered upon as the skald felt necessary - but always with in the framework of formulaic poetry.
You didn't get to the story about Loki and the goat. THAT is certainly not for children.
You didn't get to the story about Loki and the goat. THAT is certainly not for children.
Abhishek Mishra
1) Not sure which part of it 'being a children's book' did you find repulsive enough to call it a shame.
2) The book touches violence, sex (between different species), war, killing, blood, and wine coming out of one's behind. Still a children's book?
What you probably mean is that the narration is conversational and more mortal-like, than divine or heavy. Maybe taking the complication out is a good way to initiate one to a new subject/topic.
Another way to look at this could be, it isn't a children's book. It is a simply book for the child in us. Like other books by Neil.
2) The book touches violence, sex (between different species), war, killing, blood, and wine coming out of one's behind. Still a children's book?
What you probably mean is that the narration is conversational and more mortal-like, than divine or heavy. Maybe taking the complication out is a good way to initiate one to a new subject/topic.
Another way to look at this could be, it isn't a children's book. It is a simply book for the child in us. Like other books by Neil.
Arwen Mellor
Because it isn't a children's book. It is a retelling of Norse myths. Simple and elegant....a bit tongue in cheek.
Andrianna
It's not a children's book, although I wouldn't say it's inappropriate for children 10+. Have you read any other Neil Gaiman books? This is written in his usual style - simple phrasing that makes a deeper point.
Terri Lynn
This isn't even remotely a children's book. It is for adults. The writing is just clear and refreshing. These are the Norse myths.
Sara V.
It's not a children's book. It's a retelling of what we actually have of the stories in a voice that captures the orality of these stories. I was impressed with how well they captured the feel of a story being told in an almost-ritual way, and brought the language of it into a modern feel, as though they're being told in a bar, or in a car. True to the past and to the present.
MRNJ
I would not say it's a children's book at all. I just finished reading it and I did not have that thought. It is his telling of Norse Mythology, with him putting his story telling skills into it. I think it's for anyone who's interested in mythology. Children could also study it in schools, because this is something you learn about in school too. That's my input.
Carrie
I definitely would not call this a children's book. In fact, I've been reading many of these tales out loud to my 16 month old and have cringed or skipped over details that I wouldn't want him to hear, such as the murder, sex, and drinking that goes on. That said, this is a retelling of myths, and so is more of a short-stories-within-a-frame work. Gaiman has done an excellent job putting his own stamp on these stories and making them more humorous (in an adult way).
Alayna Lund
I wouldn't say this is a children's book tho I was 10 when I read this(now I'm 11) I got a kick out of the Odins ass mead part... 😆 but there that's just it its not a children's book. DEFINITELY not a book for 6 year olds to be reading. Cuz THAT'S a children's book, something that 6 year olds read. But not this one
Rut Ing
then just read the Poetic Edda - if this is to childish for you ;)
Alan
I partially agree with the OP here. Whilst the book certainly has adult content, however it is written in the style of a children's book (which may be a good or bad thing depending on your preference).
In a way, it's a lot like Grimms fairytales.
In a way, it's a lot like Grimms fairytales.
David
Cannot agree at all. A great re-telling of the myths.
Des Astor
You mean someone being choked to death by their son's own intestines counts as a children's book? Huh. Kids these days are more hardcore than I thought.
Jeska Dzwigalski
Didn't read like a children's book to me, especially given the violence of some of the stories, but YMMV.
Neal
My favorite children's part was when the gods slaughtered one of Loki's son and used his bloody entrails to tie up and imprison Loki in a cave for thousands of years while poison was dripped into his eyes. Good wholesome fun for kids!
Irving Martinez
here is a tiny 🎻
James Oden
Have you read any of the Eddas? Other than not being told in poetry its pretty much told the same way.
Naight
We shelve it Non-Fiction among materials retelling/translating mythology of other cultures (near Bulfinch). Many persons here are completely familiar with Greek & Roman mythology but not Norse.
Katoo Deziel
This is most definitely not a children's book, although I have to admit I didn't care much for the simplified prose.
Roberta
Compared to what, Chuck?
Taswa
This question seems a bit presemptious, dont you think? Maybe its just not for you`?
Megan
This isn’t a children’s book....?
Jana
I think you're confusing storytelling with children's literature... This was exactly what the title said it was. Myths are stories that explain things about the world, like where poetry comes from, or that a guy named Apollo driving his chariot is the reason the sun appears to move across the sky. Those are the stories that are in this book.
A Dormaus
I think in the Western world, we have a bit of a stilted view of what's "children's." These stories would have been told to families, children, elders... it's just a more simple "fable/folktale" style... it's traditional.
Cat
I thought it was quite violent in some parts. I wouldn't want my child reading it... maybe for age 12 and older.
Nightrunner
In Sweden they sell the book as a YA-book... on the other hand that's what happened with Locke Lamora too when he got translated into swedish, and that's certainly an adult book.
Matthew Jensen
It is written in a style that is reminiscent of the pace with which the Eddur and Sagas themselves are written. These are written to be read aloud, around a fireplace as communal entertainment - not specifically for kids.
Leewana
Because it's not a children's book! It's oral storytelling written down, with a definite adult cutting edge to it. I enjoyed it as an easy read that celebrates and honors these myths.
Jessica
I actually agree with you and having gone to the book release event in London and listen to Gaiman talk he mentions how this book was inspired by the gods he'd heard about as a child. After reading this I believe that, most likely unintentionally, Gaiman ended up writing the stories he would have wanted to read as a child.
If you pick these up wanting a solid look into the mythology, it's not for you. It's a great starting point, but is a very theatrical retelling.
If you pick these up wanting a solid look into the mythology, it's not for you. It's a great starting point, but is a very theatrical retelling.
Conner
In the part of the book called "Loki's Last Days"-and this answer is not a spoiler for anybody who is wondering-there are some graphic things that are happening, and while it's not described to be as gruesome as it could have been, it doesn't feel like he actively avoids being extra violent to make it so kids can read it, it just feels like he wrote a book that anybody could enjoy without any compromises. The book isn't strictly for any age group, its for everybody.
Magne
It's a children's book in the sense that many of these are stories we as kids learnt at school in Norway. It's stories we grew up with in many ways, in the great saga tradition of the vikings, but also as comics.
This is about mythology, and it is full of humour; the norse gods more often than not up to mischief, and weren't all that clever.
It's a children's book the same way the Bible is a children's book. Just more fun:)
This is about mythology, and it is full of humour; the norse gods more often than not up to mischief, and weren't all that clever.
It's a children's book the same way the Bible is a children's book. Just more fun:)
Jorge Zermeno
In the best of the cases, you can understand a bit more Thor's movies in MCU. I mean, yes, we all know that those movies are based on comics that are based on this legends, so, if a kid ask you about Sif, Odin, Thor and Loki you might have the answer to that question.
Mary LaPointe
If I put this in my middle school library I would probably be fired just for the part when the gods slaughtered one of Loki's son and used his bloody entrails to tie up and imprison Loki in a cave for thousands of years while poison was dripped into his eyes.
Michelle Italia-Walker
I am not sure why anyone thought it was for children. I did not find the content for children at all. It is violent and crass.
Andre
I do not think children under 10 should be reading this the first two story would bond to give little kids freaky nightmares just think you are 7 years old and read the story about Odin and his two other brothers killing Ymir the giant of giants and then using his bones and body parts to create the world. Then Odin cutting out his eye placing back looking at him through the water then years later getting mimers head and rubbing herbs on the head to prevent rotting. Or hanging himself nine days straight of the tree for rune power. Without food or water.
Pantscat
I don't think it is meant to be a children's book, and some of the content might seem a little out of place in a children's book, but the prose style is very much like a children's book (or a young adult book, maybe, would be more accurate). A few Gaiman fans have told me that this is just how he writes normally. Gaiman said that his goal was simply to retell the myths, and so it would seem churlish to criticise the book for not including any great analysis of the myths (although this would have been interesting).
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