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Summary: Every page taught me more and more.
Review: I read this text while at university, and in the years since it is never far from my mind. I recommend it to anyone interested in literature, myth, language, or just exhibits an enquiring mind. What intrigued me the most was the skaldic verse form. To my mind it is the most complicated and creative form I have ever witnessed. Without this book, so much about Scandinavian mythology would have been lost to us forever. Snorri Sturlusson was certainly a special man, with a great gift and a proud endevour. Through his work, his ancestors are still breathing, and waiting in Valhalla.
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Summary: The Rosetta Stone and Bible of Scandinavian Literature
Review: The absolute most essential document for anyone interested in Norse mythos or Scandinavian literature, THE PROSE EDDA is an absolute must read. THE PROSE EDDA is divided into three parts: Gylfaginning ("The Deluding of Gylfi"), Skaldskaparmal ("Poetic Diction"), and Hattatal (which is omitted in this edition).The first section of THE PROSE EDDA, Gylfaginning, details the various mythologies of the time, delivered in the form of a conversation between the High Ones and the crafty King Gylfi. Readers of fantasy literature will discover how much of the genre was derived from this work. The myths range from the mystical to the humorous, the Norse gods being victim to pranks and other mischiefs from time to time. The second part, Skaldskaparmal, was originally intended to be a guide for poets about the mythos, giving examples of kennings and other idiomatic expressions. Readers interested in Scandinavian literature absolutely must read THE PROSE EDDA, as it will ease understanding of other works, like THE POETIC EDDA and the various sagas. Readers with a general interest in mythology and the Middle Ages will also be delighted at this compilation, as it is truly one of the foremost works of the time.
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Summary: Excerpts from the Prose Edda
Review: While Young's translations are quite good, it should be noted that these are *selections* from the Prose Edda, and are not complete. Notably missing are large sections of Skaldskarpamal, or "Poetic Diction". This is a good edition if you just want the mythological stories, but having the complete Prose Edda is even better -- there are a lot of kennings and other details of the poetry that shed further light on the mythology. Fortunately, there is a good, complete, and inexpensive translation available, and Amazon also carries it -- the Anthony Faulkes translation.
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