Odd certainly is an odd boy. He’s infuriating actually, because he’s always cheerful and clever. But Odd doesn’t had a great life either. His father died in a Viking expedition saving a horse, and when Odd tried to take up his father’s ax, he felled a tree right onto his leg, shattering the bones. Odd’s new stepfather and brothers sisters don’t like him very much, so he leaves to live in his father’s forest hut. He soon makes three friends, a bear, a fox, and an eagle, and together they begin an even stranger journey – to Asgard, to save it from the Frost Giants.
All Gaiman’s stories hold a deeper layer within them, for those in the know or who care to learn more, and here it’s the wondrous tales of Norse mythology. If you already hold a special place for Odin, Thor, Loki, and Freya, expect a familiar story presented in the singular Gaiman style. But this is also a perfect introduction for young readers new to the mythology of Scandinavia and northern Germany.
Not as dark as Coraline or the Graveyard Book, this short and whimsical read is a perfect hero’s journey about a clever little boy who finds a way when the Gods cannot. Recommended for kids, but, let’s face it, Gaiman can turn a children’s book into vastly enjoyable read for adults too. A delightful fairytale!
“Nothing’s going on,’ said the fox brightly. ‘Just a few talking animals. Nothing to worry about. Happens every day. We’ll be out of your hair first thing in the morning.”