In honour of the very successful visit from Kevin Crossley-Holland we have five copies to give away (in the UK only) of his novel, A Bracelet of Bones.
Just provide an interesting answer to the following question:
Tell us about your favourite Norse deity or story from Norse mythology.
Because of Easter you have till 10th April to leave a comment here.
Good luck!
11 comments:
I have a soft spot for Sif, the goddess with the golden hair. She is said to help those who plough and reap, and to my mind getting nicely muddy while repotting or digging is a perfect foil to all the thinking involved in creating stories. Your plot's in a muddle? Just roll your sleeves up, get outside and let your brain bubble away quietly in the background while you plant out some tomato seedlings. The book will sort itself out, and you'll have delicious salads to look forward to. What could be better?
I've always been fascinated by Huginn and Muninn, Odin's ravens. Maybe because there's just something about ravens themselves. I see them often and sometimes can't help wondering if we're still being watched...
I've always adored the story of when Thor, God of Thunder, who was thought to be so mighty and powerful was trying to prove his strength to the Giant King by lifting a giant cat - however, he could only lift one of it's paws.
I love this story because it's so puzzling, and almost comical - it has many morals to it, and the story became one of my fond favourites to tell to my friends if I thought they were boasting or trying to prove something.
It's got to be Loki, with his twisted mouth and the way he almost believes in his own loyalty to the gods of Asgard, almost makes himself one of them, but can't stop his wit running away with him, can't stop offending people, and ends up alienated and, finally, hating them. He's a mixed-race figure, neither one nor the other, teaming up with the giants because the gods force him back to that side of his heritage with their rejection, but it's a rejection which he can't help but bring on himself through his own mistrust and penchant for mischief and contrariness. And he has flaming red hair. What's not to love?
I'd have to go with Loki too. I've always been interested in trickster figures in mythologies, such as Anancy from Afro-Caribbean folklore. The trickster conman is often depicted as being a master of disguise also. It seems appropriate that Loki is a combination of trickster god and a shape shifter. The punishment for his various transgressions is exquisitely conceived. Plus, as C.J. mentioned, you got to love that big mouth.
Erika W.
Freyja--life, fertility death and other useful things were ruled by her and she drove in a chariot pulled by two cats. Anyone who can bring their cats under useful control has my vote--my cats are looking at em balefully as I type.
I suppose it's cheating to nominate the Norns - but they come as a trio - and pouring water on Yggdrasil to keep everything going is pretty necessary.
If that's not on, then Ran the sea goddess with her 9 billow maiden daughters.
So hard to choose...for me, it's a toss-up between Odin and Thor. I'll go for Thor this time, partly because, although he can be rather dense and has a terrible temper, he often seems genuinely good-hearted (which isn't something that can be said of Odin); and partly because he features in my favourite story, 'The Lay of Thrym', where he has to disguise himself as Freyja (I doubt she was flattered) and present himself as a bride to Thrym the giant. This burly, bearded bloke having to get done up in a dress and bridal veil just makes me grin every time; not to mention his incongruous behaviour at the wedding feast. Poor chap, I'm sure he was doing his best.
I love Norse Mythology and I love this blog but I really wish your comps were open to us History fans in the Republic of Ireland too.
I'm another Loki fan. He just livens the place up, it could all get terribly boring otherwise!
Oh, thank you very much! I can't wait to read this. And thanks for the excellent website: I do enjoy it.
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