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Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making…
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Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths (edition 2014)

by Nancy Marie Brown

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2862691,579 (3.73)37
"Much like Greek and Roman mythology, Norse myths are read, reread, and treasured. Famous storytellers such as JRR Tolkien and Neil Gaiman have drawn their inspiration from the long-haired, mead-drinking, marauding and pillaging Vikings. The author who gave us Nordic mythology is a twelfth-century Icelandic chieftain by the name of Snorri Sturluson. Like Homer, Snorri was a bard, writing down and embellishing the folklore and pagan legends of medieval Scandinavia. While his stories make great reading for children, the amazing world of medieval Scandinavia has been omitted from narrative history. In Song of the Vikings, award-winning author Nancy Marie Brown brings to life the intrigue and power struggles at the court of medieval Reykjav'k that Snorri inhabited. Drawing on new and original research, her deep knowledge of Icelandic history, and first-hand reading of the original medieval sources, Brown produces a richly textured narrative of a world that continues to fascinate. "--… (more)
Member:Shuffy2
Title:Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
Authors:Nancy Marie Brown
Info:Palgrave Macmillan (2014), Edition: Reprint, Paperback, 256 pages
Collections:Early Reviewer, Your library
Rating:****
Tags:Early Reviewers, Vikings, Medieval History

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Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths by Nancy Marie Brown

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» See also 37 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 26 (next | show all)
a great romp through medieval Iceland and Snorri Sturleson, the man responsible for much of what we know about Viking mythology. ( )
  viking2917 | Aug 19, 2019 |
Good book if you enjoy meandering and odd bits like on page 54 "Egil too was a hard drinker. When he was a 3 years old his father, Sala-Grim, refused to take him to a feast, telling him," You don't know how to behave yourself when there's company gathered and a lot of drinking going on. You're difficult enough to cope with when you are sober." I read it slowly in part because the names and kinship ties can be hard to follow. For folks who are interested more in the influences on Tolkien, the first and last chapters will be of primary influence. ( )
  KateSavage | Mar 29, 2019 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
An Early Reviewer win.
I never knew that much about Snorri (though I always adored his name). I was therefore intrigued to read about the man behind so many of the sagas. What I did not know was how much of what I thought was traditional Norse myth was in fact his creation. This book is a great blend of history and literature and really makes me want to visit Iceland. I highly recommend it. ( )
1 vote PirateJenny | Aug 21, 2015 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
I love reading about the Norse myths, about Viking history. And when it comes to the source for Norse myth, most of it comes from one man, Snorri Sturulson. I was expecting more myth in this book, and less about Snorri. That would have been OK, because he was a great subject for a book, full of contradictions, living at a time of change. But somehow, it just wasn't that interesting. I kept falling asleep reading this one. Kind of a disappointment. ( )
1 vote cmbohn | Sep 5, 2014 |
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
As someone who has always held a love of mythology, but who is quite lacking in the Norse area, I leapt at the chance to read this book on Snorri and the history of Norse myths.

It was quite an interesting read, but I guess I was expecting a bit more mythology and a bit less history of Snorri himself. I did enjoy learning about him and his family tree; I found the Icelandic history surrounding his story rather fascinating. It was all brand new information to me, and I'm always pleased to learn about important pieces of history, especially when they're so full of adventure and intrigue!

I did feel slightly shorted on the mythology aspect, though. Norse mythology is so unique in many respects, it's just enchanting, so I was hoping to get a more full view of all these myths that we have Snorri to thank for our awareness of. So, if you're looking strictly for myths, you may not be too keen on this book. But if you're looking for a little mythology with all the history surrounding it, look no further! ( )
  .Monkey. | Aug 28, 2014 |
Showing 1-5 of 26 (next | show all)

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Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Nancy Marie Brownprimary authorall editionscalculated
Letra LibreDesignersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Munthe, GerhardCover artistsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Rotstein, David BaldeosinghCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
Dedication
For
S. Leonard Rubenstein,
Samuel P. Bayard, and Ernst Ebbinghaus
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Preface
GANDALF
What troubles the gods? What troubles the elves? ... Would you know more, or not?
--Snorri, Edda

In the late 1920s J.R.R. Tolkien provoked an argument.
Introduction
THE WIZARD OF
THE NORTH
Odin was the cleverest of all.... He talked so glibly and shrewdly that all who heard him must need take his tale to be wholly true.
--Snorri, Heimskringla
In the year 1220 Snorri Sturluson sailed home from Norway.
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"Much like Greek and Roman mythology, Norse myths are read, reread, and treasured. Famous storytellers such as JRR Tolkien and Neil Gaiman have drawn their inspiration from the long-haired, mead-drinking, marauding and pillaging Vikings. The author who gave us Nordic mythology is a twelfth-century Icelandic chieftain by the name of Snorri Sturluson. Like Homer, Snorri was a bard, writing down and embellishing the folklore and pagan legends of medieval Scandinavia. While his stories make great reading for children, the amazing world of medieval Scandinavia has been omitted from narrative history. In Song of the Vikings, award-winning author Nancy Marie Brown brings to life the intrigue and power struggles at the court of medieval Reykjav'k that Snorri inhabited. Drawing on new and original research, her deep knowledge of Icelandic history, and first-hand reading of the original medieval sources, Brown produces a richly textured narrative of a world that continues to fascinate. "--

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