A Dutchess Review; Odd and the Frost Giants

Odd and the Frost Giants

Written by: Neil Gaiman
Publish date: November 22nd 2008
Published by: HarperCollins
Copy: Hardcover
Level: Children
117 pages
isbn: 0061671738

Book Description:

In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.

In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.
Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.

Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.

It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.

Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . .

Someone just like Odd .

My Thoughts:

Gamian spins the story of young Odd and his adventure to cease the endless winter in his village. This slim tale is based on Norse Mythology, which to be honest I had no idea about. Gaiman does in this book what he does best; he builds an entire imaginary world that can be sensed while reading. I believe the scene at the lake is the best example of this. You can see the shine off the water and feel the bear close by. When I read Gaiman's work, I become enraptured in his settings and plot.

While reading other reviews of this book, many reviews were disappointed at how quickly it was over. If we remember the tale is intended for children, we might be more apt to agree with the short length of the tale. A child who isn't a reader will feel a sense of accomplishment when they are able to finish an entire "chapter book" with out getting bored or tired of the story. I think, the length was well intended and the story is great for those hesitant readers.