29th October, 2019
REVIEW: Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
"There was a boy called Odd, and there was nothing strange or unusual about that, not in that time or place. Odd meant the tip of a blade, and it was a lucky name.
He was odd, though. At least, the other villagers thought so. But if there was one thing that he wasn`t, it was lucky." (Gaiman, p. 1)
This is obviously not a new publication but it is definitely one of my favourite reads for the holiday/winter season. It is simply a treat to follow the story of Odd, who has run away from home, even though he is disabled and barely able to walk. In the woods he encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle (who turn out to be Loki, Thor, and Odin in their animal form) - a meeting that will lead Odd on an even weirder journey. He has to save Asgard from the Frost Giants in order to rescue the Norse Gods.
Odd and the Frost Giants is a shortish and magical tale that presents a "child-friendly" version of the Norse and Viking myths. Loki is his usual trickster self, Odin is as inscrutable as always but what I found particularly endearing was Gaiman's depiction of the Frost Giant. The edition pictured above is the illustrated version with drawings by Chris Riddell and what can I say? Gaiman's books always gain that little bit of extra value when they are illustrated by this fabulous artist. The book is easily readable in one sitting and perfect for those cold winter nights when the frosty wind is howling around the house.
Rating: 5/5 stars