This novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods—retold from the point of view of the world’s ultimate trickster, Loki. A #1 bestseller in the UK, The Gospel of Loki tells the story of Loki’s recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard itself.
Using her lifelong passion for the Norse myths, New York Times bestseller Joanne M. Harris has created a vibrant and powerful fantasy novel that the Sunday Sun recommends “to her long-standing audience with wit, style, and obvious enjoyment;” The Sunday Times claims it “lively and fun;” and The Metro adds that “Harris has enormous fun with her antihero…this mythical bad boy should beguile fans of Neil Gaiman.”
My Take
Loki is probably my favorite Norse god and this one was a no-brainer to read while traveling in the Nordic countries. (I like to read books set in areas I’m traveling in if I can.) This was my first book by Joanne Harris, though I’ve seen her posts on social media. I’m not an expert on Norse mythology and I don’t need or want to be. Reading about the Norse gods from the viewpoint of someone who tells you straight up that he can’t be trusted is different. It’s also different to see gods — any gods — not treated with reverence or at least respect. It’s more a series of episodes than a novel and that’s fine.