Norse mythology isn’t the most important thing to learn, but it can be fun to read. Hope you like it in Norway, welcome 😃
If you’re studying mythology, sure. If you think this book will help you understand modern Norwegian culture, then no.
Most ppl dont really know the mythology, and depending on were you are going to stay, talking about Odin could be unvise.
But you are in luck, stuff for jul is showing up in the stores now 🎈
If you want to learn about Norse mythology then Snorre is a must.
It’s a bit outdated ..
Just read some Thor comics and you’re good.
Knausgård would at least give you a growing up / coming of age story that is related to a more modern context…in a certain area…in one person’s sense.
I have a copy of this! Good read and good decoration when you’re done.
Just read the Norway Wikipedia page and other Wikipedia pages about Norway and Norwegian matters. It will keep you busy the next three months.
The book looks nice, might impress someone sitting on the shelf or lying on the coffee table.
Other than that…the majority of people (and I’ll include myself, admittedly) know next to nothing about Norse mythology, apart from some names; Odin, Tor, Frøya, Loke, Balder, Heimdal, Mjølner, Huginn, Muninn…
Not saying its an uninteresting subject, far from it, but like others already have pointed out…its not that relevant ;-P
Be careful if you meat a female horse….
It’s a great telling of the myths and legends. Neil Gaimans book is also a really good take.
Also, love how many people have felt the need to let you know that it’s not a good barometer for modern norway…
Yeah no shit… pretty sure he knows what the myths are.
Nisse
Okay
We’re not that hung up on Norse mythology to be honest
Have fun with your studies and welcome 🙂
p.s. I see you’re Dutch, the 30+ year old persons might apreciate you singing Schipper mag ik overvaren xD We had it a couple of times on the telly back in the early 2000s
That’s a great book, but it won’t help much with anything other than Norse mythology.
If you have finished reading page 1, you know more on norse mythology than 95% of the norwegians
If you want a guide on how to getting to know Norwegians please read the Social Guidebook to Norway. It’s a bit stereotypical, but it’s gonna help you a lot. Just don’t talk to anyone on the bus.
Duolingo might be more useful
Read Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. Same stories as your book,but probably written better.
norse mythology has little to no efect on modern life in norway!
This book, tho not a bad introduction to the Norse myths doesn’t really top the Prose and poetic Edda’s. But as for Norwegian culture this is about 1000 years removed ha. Not sure how much of the language you know but I’d be starting on Drops or something similar before bothering with the mythology. Good luck on your endeavours.
From my experience, the average Norwegian doesn’t know much about Norse mythology, no more than someone who’s seen Marvel movies and played God of War.
You headed to Valhalla or Oslo?
Go and pick up the Icelandic sagas (they exist in English, at least partially), and read this [https://www2.hf.uio.no/polyglotta/index.php?page=volume&vid=869](https://www2.hf.uio.no/polyglotta/index.php?page=volume&vid=869) instead. And get yourself a Gylvaginning and Voluspå – both are available in English, and they are short.
On the other hand.. :p if you’re moving to Oslo, feel free to substitute this for a recap of all episodes of Hotel Caesar, and a list of all the winners of Eurovision Song Contest over the years, along with a cheat sheet for the correct way to order coffee at Starbucks. And you’ll be perfectly integrated in less than a day.
Tunsberg is not like in the Marvel movies he he
Hey guys I’m moving to Greece, how much Greek mythology do I need to read up on? Will I have to praise Zeus when exiting the airport?
Welcome to Norway! (Soon)
Bring warm clothes
Just fyi
Most people dont know or care about the mythology, but if you are studying it here youll atleast be able to discuss it with your classmates
Don’t carry this book and walk in the rain alone. If you do, then trolls can single you out.
Read Arne Ånd . It is way more relevant.
Well, if so, you probably should dress up like a troll, walk around town with a strick and yell at people at random. Pretty much.
I have this exact book too! It’s not great for anything besides Norse Mythology, an interesting read that has some old photos and you will learn a lot about the places and Gods. Not opened it in ages, but I think it was an American woman, who spent some time in France, that then went back home to the US, never stepping foot in Norway that wrote it, think it was her second book.
Love when foreigners get interested in Norwegian culture 🙂
We also love hearing about ourselves, so few people ever know even Norway exists.
Yeah, that book will be of absolutely no use to you for navigating Norwegian society. Place has been Christian for centuries, man.
Bought this book when I moved here hoping to learn more about norse mythology (I love mythology in general) but goddamn is it an incredibly boring book, read only about 1/3 of it.
Looks cool though.
This cover design!
You should look at Poetic Edda. I don’t know about translations, but Voluspå and Håvamål are some of the most well known Norse texts. Voluspå is kind of the genesis of Norse mythology 🙂 you might need to do some reading on the side, as the language isn’t really.. Modern.
Well.. sure, but keep in mind that the maps are a little outdated.. like 1200 years or so but they’re essentially the same, right?
Most norwegians doesnt know anything about norse mythology, or norwegian history.
If you haven’t seen it allready I would recomend Norsemen on Netflix. It’s a Norwegian comedy series set in the viking age with old peoblems and a modern approach. It was shot both in Norwegian and English so you can watch the English version if you are not speaking Norwegian yet. I found it hilarious (and more accurate than the big, serious viking shows).
I also recommend [The Nordic Mythology Podcast](https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCKSGsloyMpiQlfr5ZCoB3eQ). They often end up talking about stuff that are not directly linked to mythology, but there are alot of interesting episodes (and most people interested in the mythology are often interested in the other topics as well).
You’ll be all set if you have a time machine
I believe Norse mythology is the only one that doesn’t end well.
I haven’t read this book so can’t give a comment on the book itself, but I’m gonna assume it mostly just touches on Norse mythology as the title states. If that’s the case I don’t think it’d be very useful to understand Norwegian culture today, most Norwegians couldn’t even say who were the sons of Odin. I think Norway is rather similar to most other countries in culture, maybe comparable to Canada. The biggest difference is that we’re quite a bit less formal in our language so I don’t think there would be much of a culture shock
Why are you guys so obsessed with Norse mythology? Norwegians couldn’t care less. And no, it won’t teach you anything.
50 comments
Norse mythology isn’t the most important thing to learn, but it can be fun to read. Hope you like it in Norway, welcome 😃
If you’re studying mythology, sure. If you think this book will help you understand modern Norwegian culture, then no.
Most ppl dont really know the mythology, and depending on were you are going to stay, talking about Odin could be unvise.
But you are in luck, stuff for jul is showing up in the stores now 🎈
If you want to learn about Norse mythology then Snorre is a must.
It’s a bit outdated ..
Just read some Thor comics and you’re good.
Knausgård would at least give you a growing up / coming of age story that is related to a more modern context…in a certain area…in one person’s sense.
I have a copy of this! Good read and good decoration when you’re done.
Just read the Norway Wikipedia page and other Wikipedia pages about Norway and Norwegian matters. It will keep you busy the next three months.
The book looks nice, might impress someone sitting on the shelf or lying on the coffee table.
Other than that…the majority of people (and I’ll include myself, admittedly) know next to nothing about Norse mythology, apart from some names; Odin, Tor, Frøya, Loke, Balder, Heimdal, Mjølner, Huginn, Muninn…
Not saying its an uninteresting subject, far from it, but like others already have pointed out…its not that relevant ;-P
Be careful if you meat a female horse….
It’s a great telling of the myths and legends. Neil Gaimans book is also a really good take.
Also, love how many people have felt the need to let you know that it’s not a good barometer for modern norway…
Yeah no shit… pretty sure he knows what the myths are.
Nisse
Okay
We’re not that hung up on Norse mythology to be honest
Have fun with your studies and welcome 🙂
p.s. I see you’re Dutch, the 30+ year old persons might apreciate you singing Schipper mag ik overvaren xD We had it a couple of times on the telly back in the early 2000s
[Team Antonsen](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mwxE7Ky5hs)
I loooove norse mythology! ^w^
That’s a great book, but it won’t help much with anything other than Norse mythology.
If you have finished reading page 1, you know more on norse mythology than 95% of the norwegians
If you want a guide on how to getting to know Norwegians please read the Social Guidebook to Norway. It’s a bit stereotypical, but it’s gonna help you a lot. Just don’t talk to anyone on the bus.
Duolingo might be more useful
Read Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman. Same stories as your book,but probably written better.
norse mythology has little to no efect on modern life in norway!
This book, tho not a bad introduction to the Norse myths doesn’t really top the Prose and poetic Edda’s. But as for Norwegian culture this is about 1000 years removed ha. Not sure how much of the language you know but I’d be starting on Drops or something similar before bothering with the mythology. Good luck on your endeavours.
From my experience, the average Norwegian doesn’t know much about Norse mythology, no more than someone who’s seen Marvel movies and played God of War.
You headed to Valhalla or Oslo?
Go and pick up the Icelandic sagas (they exist in English, at least partially), and read this [https://www2.hf.uio.no/polyglotta/index.php?page=volume&vid=869](https://www2.hf.uio.no/polyglotta/index.php?page=volume&vid=869) instead. And get yourself a Gylvaginning and Voluspå – both are available in English, and they are short.
On the other hand.. :p if you’re moving to Oslo, feel free to substitute this for a recap of all episodes of Hotel Caesar, and a list of all the winners of Eurovision Song Contest over the years, along with a cheat sheet for the correct way to order coffee at Starbucks. And you’ll be perfectly integrated in less than a day.
Tunsberg is not like in the Marvel movies he he
Hey guys I’m moving to Greece, how much Greek mythology do I need to read up on? Will I have to praise Zeus when exiting the airport?
Welcome to Norway! (Soon)
Bring warm clothes
Just fyi
Most people dont know or care about the mythology, but if you are studying it here youll atleast be able to discuss it with your classmates
Don’t carry this book and walk in the rain alone. If you do, then trolls can single you out.
Read Arne Ånd . It is way more relevant.
Well, if so, you probably should dress up like a troll, walk around town with a strick and yell at people at random. Pretty much.
I have this exact book too! It’s not great for anything besides Norse Mythology, an interesting read that has some old photos and you will learn a lot about the places and Gods. Not opened it in ages, but I think it was an American woman, who spent some time in France, that then went back home to the US, never stepping foot in Norway that wrote it, think it was her second book.
Love when foreigners get interested in Norwegian culture 🙂
We also love hearing about ourselves, so few people ever know even Norway exists.
Yeah, that book will be of absolutely no use to you for navigating Norwegian society. Place has been Christian for centuries, man.
Bought this book when I moved here hoping to learn more about norse mythology (I love mythology in general) but goddamn is it an incredibly boring book, read only about 1/3 of it.
Looks cool though.
This cover design!
You should look at Poetic Edda. I don’t know about translations, but Voluspå and Håvamål are some of the most well known Norse texts. Voluspå is kind of the genesis of Norse mythology 🙂 you might need to do some reading on the side, as the language isn’t really.. Modern.
Well.. sure, but keep in mind that the maps are a little outdated.. like 1200 years or so but they’re essentially the same, right?
Most norwegians doesnt know anything about norse mythology, or norwegian history.
If you haven’t seen it allready I would recomend Norsemen on Netflix. It’s a Norwegian comedy series set in the viking age with old peoblems and a modern approach. It was shot both in Norwegian and English so you can watch the English version if you are not speaking Norwegian yet. I found it hilarious (and more accurate than the big, serious viking shows).
I also recommend [The Nordic Mythology Podcast](https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCKSGsloyMpiQlfr5ZCoB3eQ). They often end up talking about stuff that are not directly linked to mythology, but there are alot of interesting episodes (and most people interested in the mythology are often interested in the other topics as well).
You’ll be all set if you have a time machine
I believe Norse mythology is the only one that doesn’t end well.
Found the vikingboo.
Try some of these instead…?
https://www.ark.no/boker/Julien-S-Bourrelle-The-social-guidebook-to-Norway-9788293622178?gclid=Cj0KCQjw166aBhDEARIsAMEyZh6hndVpW6x0nHjs1qD-Udo1FAZmKh6qyOIfQKmOXLfZPzPbLHRuZaQaAp6MEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
https://www.norli.no/working-with-norwegians-guide-to-work-culture?utm_source=adtraction&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=adtraction&at_gd=BCDDDC8FE0B012AF6DF50CCF3B0923DD41998149
Read some Erlend Loe instead.
I haven’t read this book so can’t give a comment on the book itself, but I’m gonna assume it mostly just touches on Norse mythology as the title states. If that’s the case I don’t think it’d be very useful to understand Norwegian culture today, most Norwegians couldn’t even say who were the sons of Odin. I think Norway is rather similar to most other countries in culture, maybe comparable to Canada. The biggest difference is that we’re quite a bit less formal in our language so I don’t think there would be much of a culture shock
Why are you guys so obsessed with Norse mythology? Norwegians couldn’t care less. And no, it won’t teach you anything.
Mega cringe
Why not study where you live?
Lol