An exploration of Norse mythology and its influence on modern culture.
 
This compelling guide by Carolyne Larrington, Professor of Medieval European Literature at the University of Oxford, explores the ways in which Norse mythology has shaped culture over the years: the many meanings of the heroic halls of Valhalla, and of gods such as Odin, Thor, and Loki; the myths of masculinity signified by the Vikings and the berserkers; heroes such as Ragnar Lodbrok – protagonist of the Vikings series – and Sigurd; and the Norse apocalypse known as Ragnarok, among other topics. Larrington's study shows how Norse mythology has profoundly influenced the modern world in ways both savoury and unsavoury – media properties such as Marvel comics and Game of Thrones on one end, but also colonialist ideology and Nazi and Neo-Nazi symbology on the other. This is recommended reading, especially for those interested in Norse mythology, paganism, or heathenry.
 
London: Thames & Hudson, 2023. Hardcover, 320 pages. New.