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medievalwitch's review against another edition
4.0
I was aware that Tolkien took inspiration from Norse mythology and stories, but I didn't realize how deep that inspiration went. Basically, name any middle-earth dwarf you can think of and his hairy ass is in these stories.
I listened to this on audio and unfortunately, I cannot recommend it in that format. The translator Jackson Crawford has an exemplary handle on the pronunciations of course, but he reads these supposedly exciting tales and legends like he's being forced to by a teacher. There's hardly any emotion or excitement or character of any kind given to any of these poems, up until the end when he does a charmingly accented western-style rehash of the Havamal rules. Other than that, I say pick this up if you've never read these because they're worth reading and this translation is very accessible.
I listened to this on audio and unfortunately, I cannot recommend it in that format. The translator Jackson Crawford has an exemplary handle on the pronunciations of course, but he reads these supposedly exciting tales and legends like he's being forced to by a teacher. There's hardly any emotion or excitement or character of any kind given to any of these poems, up until the end when he does a charmingly accented western-style rehash of the Havamal rules. Other than that, I say pick this up if you've never read these because they're worth reading and this translation is very accessible.
carterike's review against another edition
3.0
A collection of Nordic stories told in poetic form. There are some interesting themes and elements but wasn’t as insightful as I was hoping. Still worth a read to get a glimpse into Norse mythology.
cchipmunck's review against another edition
‘Sky it’s called among men, planet-home by the gods,
wind-weaver the Vanir call it,
the giants call it the world above, the elves the lovely roof,
the dwarfs the dripping hall.’
wind-weaver the Vanir call it,
the giants call it the world above, the elves the lovely roof,
the dwarfs the dripping hall.’