edderkopper:

wolf-of-tyr:

Send me a bunch of books on Norse Mythology to ask for for Christmas

Reply to/reblog this, send me an ask, send me a message, whatever. If you can provide a link to where it can be ordered from or a store (American) it can be found at, that’s even better!

Modern Retellings and Scholarship

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

• This isn’t actually as entertaining as I’d hoped it would be. It’s like, middle school reading level. But hey, it’s actually really faithful to the original texts. Plus, as always, Gaiman gets Odin’s characterization down pat, and treats Loki as the morally ambiguous figure he is rather than straight up evil.

The Norse Myths by Kevin Crossley-Holland

• For anyone who’s not a Lokean or Odinsperson, I actually think this one might be a better read than Gaiman’s. I definitely find the writing style more tolerable. 

Norse Mythology by John Lindow

• A somewhat more academic intro that might be preferable if you already know the basics and want better citations.

Gods and Myths of Northern Europe by H.R. Ellis Davidson

• Another more academic intro to the topic. For me, one of its strengths was that it really drove home why the topic is still relevant in modern times. Really, anything by this author could easily be on this list.

Dictionary of Northern Mythology by Rudolf Simek

• This book is amazing for reference purposes, and I’ve definitely reached for it the most out of anything in this category over the years.

Scandinavian Folk Belief and Legend by Reimund Kvideland

• It’s good to get a grasp on the various folk beliefs that informed and were informed by the stories of the gods found in the Eddas. You don’t really get that from Snorri, since preserving that wasn’t his purpose.

Iron Age Myth and Materiality by Lotte Hedeager

• If you’re interested in a more archaeological approach, this is a good place to start.

Primary Sources

The Poetic Edda trans. by Carolyne Larrington

• Probably the best reasonably-priced English translation for someone looking to actually study the text deeply. Others are either outdated, tend to dumb stuff down, or…are not reasonably priced. Make sure to get the revised edition and not the older one.

The Prose Edda trans. by Anthony Faulkes

• Byock’s translation is fine too, but Faulkes’ translation is more complete. Also, I prefer Faulkes’ prose.

The Sagas of Icelanders

• Definitely the best bang for your buck in terms of sagas. It doesn’t have all of the well-known ones–notably, Njal’s saga is ommited for length–but it’s an excellent starting point.

The Saga of the Volsungs trans. by Jesse L. Byock

• Volsunga saga, while maybe not as historically relevant or useful as a lot of texts, is one of the most fun reads.

Njal’s Saga trans. by Robert Cook

• It’s kind of the definitive work in the art form and full of insight into Icelandic culture, so it’s good to read eventually. Even if it’s long and full of legal stuff.

Fiction

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

• No, it’s not just Norse mythology. It’s not even written by a Heathen. But even the pop culture-hating Heathen community is almost universally on board with Gaiman’s characterization of Odin, and that really says something.

The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris

• I’ll be honest: I hated this book for stylistic reasons. Loki’s narrative voice made me want to stab my eye out with a red pen. But I know a bunch of Lokeans who adore it, so onto the list it goes. Just maybe read a couple pages to see if you can stand it before you buy.

Ragnarok by A.S. Byatt

• Beautifully written. AND THE FEELS.

lokeanwelcomingcommittee:

Hey, Edda anon here. I left out that I wanted a more modern translation
too since I see a lot of critique of the older version is that they use
outdated translations. I feel like if I started with something that was
older and or inaccurate I’d potentially stick with ideas that are
outdated simply because that’s what I learned first.
     

This is all spelled out in the existing links, but to reiterate…    

For the Poetic Edda:

If you want the closest translation
available at a price most individuals can afford, then go with Carolyne Larrington’s translation. (Be
sure to grab the revised edition.)

If you
care more about adherence to the poetic forms than word for word
meaning, then go for Lee M. Hollander’s translation. (If you find yourself asking why anyone would prioritize that, go listen to an Icelandic version. This was a spoken art form.)

If you’re having trouble understanding or focusing
on the above options, go with Jackson Crawford’s translation. It was
made for readability.

For the Prose Edda:

Go with Anthony Faulkes’ translation. It’s the most complete contemporary one in English. As a bonus, it’s legally available for free online, though it’s for sale in print too.

– Mod E