Reviews tagging 'Torture'

Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

47 reviews

ad1t1s's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture

hue's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative

5.0

Neil Gaiman's writing is so ripe with fantastical elements and intriguing storytelling, it's easy to fall into the story and forget all of everything. He writes of the Norse gods which such simplicity yet detail it'll stay with me for life.

I had heard the audio book before, read by none other than Neil Gaiman himself, but the physical copy was just as wonderful to get through. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, and War

nightmaresandfairytales's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

I bought this book because it was recommended somewhere as a good introduction if you want to learn more about Norse mythology because it is simpler to read than an actual Edda. In my own point of view, I would not recommend it to anyone not having a clue about Norse mythology though. I was familiar with the topic and quickly found my way into the stories about the gods, giants and others. Some basic knowledge is definitely helpful to know what is happening, who is involved and where it is happening.

But if you bring a solid base, this book is great entertainment. Gaiman managed to break down the stories about the Norse gods into simple, short tales that are entertaining and even make a round story. The characteristics of the gods and other creatures come out very well and I often had a good laugh. Gaiman's book stresses why Thor in particular is such a well-liked figure in Norse mythology.

I can't judge if the stories are adequate - I've never read the originals. But some of the tales sounded familiar, although I didn't know many details. I really enjoyed this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Grief and Murder

peachmoni's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Genocide, Suicide, and War

kaaaaaaaa's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Child death, Confinement, Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Excrement, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

bambiann's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Neil Gaiman did a fantastic job! Every story was written well and easy to understand. Neil had captured my full attention. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Murder

valpuri's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Infidelity, Sexual content, Grief, and Pregnancy

redheadorganist's review against another edition

adventurous informative fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Torture, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and War

elderwoodreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I loved this retelling of Norse Mythology. The beginning was a bit slow and dense for me but it picked up very quickly, and I can't believe how fast I devoured it! Neil Gaiman's narration definitely made it ten times more enjoyable than if I had read it as a text. Pleaae read the content warnings before reading/listening if you are sensitive to descriptions of torture and gore, they are behind the spoiler tag.

CW: eye trauma, intestines/entrail, genital mutilation/torture, graphic descriptions of death

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Excrement, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment

takarakei's review against another edition

adventurous informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'm not super familiar with Norse mythology in general so I picked this up to learn a bit more about it. The storytelling definitely was interesting and kept my attention for the most part. Neil's narration of the audiobook was very well done!! Selfishly I wanted at least 1 story about the Valkyries, and this focused more on the 'major players' in Norse mythology (Odin, Thor, Loki). From what I understand this is a more updated and accessible version of these myths, so worth a read if you're interested in this subject.

Totally did reinforce that Loki is my favorite tho ...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Animal death, Gore, and Blood

Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Murder