45 pages • 1 hour read
Neil GaimanA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Odd and the Frost Giants makes extensive use of Norse mythology throughout the entire plot, presenting the gods and their realm as not just myth, but tangible reality. Through works like The Prose Edda and Poetic Edda as well as archeological and medieval records, a variety of stories from Norse mythology have survived to the modern day, including details about Norse cosmology, creation myths, and myths surrounding the apocalyptic war between the gods known as Ragnarok. Gaiman makes Norse mythology accessible to younger or newer readers by borrowing small elements from many of these myths, but Odd’s story also functions as a new myth in itself. Even though Odd is human, unlike the protagonists of the traditional myths, the novel’s events closely map to the structure of many other myths, weaving together plotlines and recognizable elements without relying too much on the reader’s preexisting knowledge.
Although the book is written accessibly, knowledge of the myths it references also helps develop the humor and depth of the book. One example is Loki, who references taking the form of a female horse; the book never explicitly states it, but the outcome of this transformation is that Loki gave birth to a foal.
By Neil Gaiman
American Gods
American Gods
Neil Gaiman
Anansi Boys
Anansi Boys
Neil Gaiman
Coraline
Coraline
Neil Gaiman
Fortunately, the Milk
Fortunately, the Milk
Neil Gaiman
Good Omens
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett
How to Talk to Girls at Parties
How to Talk to Girls at Parties
Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere
Neverwhere
Neil Gaiman
Norse Mythology
Norse Mythology
Neil Gaiman
October in the Chair
October in the Chair
Neil Gaiman
Stardust
Stardust
Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book
The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
Neil Gaiman
The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1
The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1
Neil Gaiman
The Sleeper and the Spindle
The Sleeper and the Spindle
Neil Gaiman