May 2023 MBR The Mythology Shelf

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 Think" by Professor Carolyne Larrington is a brilliantly original and accessible guide to exploring how Valhalla and its Valkyries have inspired our cultural 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 history of their meanings, offering the reader an intelligent and up-to-date take 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 straight off the vellum of ancient manuscripts. Rather, these compelling characters are contemporary reimaginings of mythic figures from Old Norse mythology.

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 present. Professor Larrington guides us on an enchanting journey through centuries of heroism, cruelty, and magic, while also exploring how these stories speak to the enduring human condition.

Critique: Enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of 14 color and 85 black/white illustrations, and also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $16.99) "The Norse Myths That Shape the Way We Think" is especially recommended for students, academia, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in understanding of Norse mythology and its cultural resonances down through the centuries to our present time. A seminal work that is thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation, "The Norse Myths That Shape the Way We Think offers a thoughtful and thought- provoking examination at the core values of Norse mythology -- revealing their cultural impact 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 Game of Thrones.

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