The Mythology Shelf

The Norse Myths That Shape the Way We Think
Carolyne Larrington
Thames & Hudson, Inc.
500 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10110-0017
www.thamesandhudsonusa.com
9780500252345, $34.95, HC, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Norse-Myths-That-Shape-WeThink/dp/0500252343

Synopsis: With the publication of "The Norse Myths That Shape the Way We Th= ink" by Professor Carolyne Larrington is a brilliantly original and accessi= ble guide to exploring how Valhalla and its Valkyries have inspired our cul= tural landscape, from Wagner to the Marvel Universe. Professor Larrington's=
elegantly written recounting of Norse legends and folklore stories capture=
the beauty of the original myths, while also delving deeper into the histo=
ry of their meanings, offering the reader an intelligent and up-to-date tak=
e on these powerful stories.

A ruggedly handsome blond man swings his huge hammer. Gaunt- faced figures = with icicle crowns and frost-rimmed cheekbones march from the north through=
an endless winter. These strange supernatural figures might sound familiar=
-- and also like creatures of myth and legend. Yet they haven't stepped st= raight off the vellum of ancient manuscripts. Rather, these compelling char= acters are contemporary reimaginings of mythic figures from Old Norse mytho= logy.

All these legends and folk tales speak to our contemporary hopes and fears,=
bridging the gap between a vanished medieval past and a vibrant, living pr= esent. Professor Larrington guides us on an enchanting journey through cent= uries of heroism, cruelty, and magic, while also exploring how these storie=
s speak to the enduring human condition.

Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of 14 color and 85 bla= ck/white illustrations, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle=
, $16.99) "The Norse Myths That Shape the Way We Think" is especially recom= mended for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an i= nterest in understanding of Norse mythology and its cultural resonances dow=
n through the centuries to our present time. A seminal work that is thoroug= hly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Norse Myths Th=
at Shape the Way We Think offers a thoughtful and thought- provoking examin= ation at the core values of Norse mythology -- revealing their cultural imp= act up from antiquity to the present day.

Editorial Note: Carolyne Larrington (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyne= _Larrington) is Professor of Medieval European Literature at the University=
of Oxford. Her previous books include The Norse Myths: A Guide to the Gods=
and Heroes, The Poetic Edda, and All Men Must Die: Power and Passion in Ga=
me of Thrones.

EDITOR'S NOTE:

The Midwest Book Review is an organization of volunteers committed to promo= ting literacy, library usage, and small press publishing. We accept no fund=
s from authors or publishers. Full permission is given to post any of these=
reviews on thematically appropriate websites, newsgroups, listserves, inte= rnet discussion groups, organizational newsletters, or to interested indivi= duals. Please give the Midwest Book Review a credit line when doing so.

The Midwest Book Review publishes the monthly book review magazines "Califo= rnia Bookwatch", "Internet Bookwatch", "Children's Bookwatch", "MBR Bookwat= ch", "Reviewer's Bookwatch", and "Small Press Bookwatch". All are available=
for free on the Midwest Book Review website at www (dot) midwestbookreview=
(dot) com

Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129

To submit reviews of any fiction or non-fiction books, email them to Frugal= muse (at) aol (dot) com (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish= er, publisher address, publisher website/phone number, 13-digit ISBN number=
, and list price).

James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review

--- MBSE BBS v1.0.8 (Linux-x86_64)
* Origin: ---:- FTN<->UseNet Gate -:--- (3:633/280.2@fidonet)