CPL's Book a Week Challenge discussion

"It’s as hard to have a favorite sequence of myths as it is to have a favorite style of cooking (some nights you might want Thai food, some nights sushi, other nights you crave the plain home cooking you grew up on).” Norse Mythology, Neil Gaiman, pg. 11

Welcome to the world of Norse Mythology! Is this your first foray into the world of Odin, Thor, Asgard, the Vanir, and the Aesir? Or have you been here before?

If you’ve been here before, do you have a favorite myth you’re hoping to see in Gaiman’s Norse Mythology?

Norse mythology is only one set of myths in the world that attempts to explain such thing as how we came to be, why the world works the way it does, and who to blame when things go wrong (answer: it’s always Loki). Norse mythology was born out of a world where darkness or twilight reigns for half the year; where conditions were harsh; the people hardy.

But like I said, it’s only one set of myths in the world. There are numerous others from countless civilizations and cultures.

Discuss what set of myths you are most familiar with and how they compare with the Norse set.

I am definitely more familiar with Ancient Greek mythology. I’m part Greek, so I thought it essential to my heritage to be familiar with their stories. It was also fun to imagine a world where everything can and was a being of some sort.

When I read Norse myths for the first time, I was struck by the difference in motivation for the gods. Greek gods are all about lust: they want this person, they sleep with this person, chaos descends. This role is given mainly to the giants in Norse mythology. The Norse gods are still all about the physical but it’s more well-rounded: they want food, they want violence, they want sex. If one dominates, it’s the violence. But they come from a violent world and they are heading to a violent end.

(Side note: I’m still working on the format for these discussions. Feedback on what you think works or doesn’t work is appreciated. Thanks!)

I know a little Greek mythology & that is it, but it’s interesting to read your input!

When I heard that Norse Mythology would be our first book for the Club I wasn't particularly excited; it seemed more daunting than interesting (I had another horse in the race too). However, I'm almost through it now and I have to say that it has been a lot of fun! It is so humorous. I should have been more optimistic, for I have heard nothing but praise for this book as well as for Gaiman's other works. I myself have read most of the Sandman stuff and truly enjoyed it.

I am most familiar with Greek and Roman mythology as I was a student of Latin in high school and college. Like many people, I probably didn't know much more about Odin, Thor, or Loki that wasn't presented to me in an Avengers film or comic book...

I agree with Joanna's statement that the Norse gods are more rounded: food, violence, sex! These gods created by man are more human. Is not 21st century the perfect time to reevaluate these ancients gods? Our pop culture indulgently revels in postmodern post apocalyptic prophecies! This book exposes the ever present "lust" that (leads to?) ends with Ragnarok. Also, as seen with Loki and others, they love to play games of deception and trickery. Some of the Gods are more noble, some are more delusive. Either way, this variety is seen in mankind as well. These players seem to have more layers. I reveled in the intriguing reminder that we see the same kind of parallels in the stories of religions today: these parables look ridiculous from the outside looking in but all the religions throughout the world mimic each other. Whether it is a creation story, a challenge, a bet, a masquerade, or moral allegory, these fables help to explain the big question: Why?

Are we any closer to truth?