Synopsis:
After 800 years, the final installment of The Edda Trilogy has at long last arrived! Picking up where its medieval forebears, The Poetic Edda and The Prose Edda, left off, The Impudent Edda not only introduces readers to a fresh, new perspective on both familiar and previously unknown narratives of Norse mythology, but also brings the worldʼs foremost epic fantasy trilogy to its inevitable and fateful conclusion: in a dank alleyway behind a dive bar in Boston.
Masterfully translated into English for the first time ever by esteemed Impudent Eddic scholar, Rowdy Geirsson, this volume offers readers a deeply poetic yet highly accessible version of fun and classic tales ranging from Odinʼs unprovoked murder of an ancient witch to Freyjaʼs voluntary experiment as a prostitute among lecherous dwarves to Thorʼs drunken and petty act of larceny on the eve of Ragnarök, the final world-shattering battle of the gods.
Review:
You’ve heard of two renowned Eddas, The Prose Edda and The Poetic Edda, but have you heard of The Impudent Edda? What? You have not heard of the Edda found in the deepest, darkest depths of a seedy alleyway in Boston? Blasphemy!
The Impudent Edda has the prose and heart of a drunken Bostonian who just finished a course in Norse mythology and needed to tell everyone at the bar about it. There’s a good dose of swearing, some intentional meandering, a lot of laughter, and a dash of Dunkin’ Donuts.
This is not going to be your typical Norse collection of stories. If you are loving the wave of Norse retellings, or a bit burnt out on them and looking for a fresh take, this book might be just the thing for you. The Impudent Edda doesn’t take itself too seriously, but it still delivers. I would recommend this for people who already have a basis of understanding when it comes to Norse mythology or you might get a bit confused on the happenings. Geirsson does have a glossary and translates the Bostonian language back into more traditional language when needed.
Findings such as Thor getting his driver’s license might be more modern, but a lot of the basics such as Loki cutting off Sif’s hair are still there… even if this Edda has a slightly different theory on HOW that happened. This is a comical take on Norse mythology and unlike anything I’ve read in relation to mythology in general. Rowdy Geirrson brings the Norse Gods to life with humor and that good old Bostonian language. There’s some fun illustrations to guide us along the way, too. Thanks so much for the review copy, Rowdy!
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