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First off, look up the podcast Sweetbitter, because if you're interested in a book of her poetry you'd definitely be interested in a fantastic Sappho podcast.
Second, this is the copy I've had my eyes on for months. I love Anne Carson's translations, and I think there's just something significant about reading a translation done by a woman.
Are you referring to this cover? I’m not trying to sell anything, just the first link I found with it. The way Grendel seems to be in so much internal pain sells the book. It’s a really good cover, especially compared to this. It’s the cover that my copy from high school has.
I feel ya -- mediaeval Latin is hilarious when writers get inventive with vocabulary and grammar, but any more Augustine and I might cry. This is 'Winnie Ille Pu' translated by Alexander Lenard (I bought my copy used in a bookstore, but it's available here on Amazon). Have a go at the Latin versions of Harry Potter and The Hobbit as well!
Thanks so much! This is all uber useful. I know what I'll be reading this evening! So that's your personal blog, of sorts?
This is the copy of the Poetic Edda I was looking at. I'm not sure if that one is the "revised" edition.
Aldous Huxley was inspired to write Brave New World by a book called "We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin. Perhaps if you liked BNW you will also like that.
Here is an Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/We-Yevgeny-Zamyatin/dp/0380633132
How about We by Yevgeny Zamyatin (Wikipedia entry, Amazon link Hey, now that I look at it, that's the same copy I have!)? Dystopian future book, written by a Russian in Russia, right around the time Stalin was consolidating his power (It got him exiled. Twice! Well, it was a factor at least). Also around that time was when we were first really trying to study the brain and how it worked, so there's some cool influences from that as well.
I'd really recommend it.
Also, last time I checked this was weirdly not on the reading list:
The vast majority of Norse myths come from two books that are surprisingly accessible to modern audiences if you have a good translation. And as it so happens, they are also pretty cheap!
My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1).
> Also, I’m told the stories of the pantheon involve…
I think it might help you to give these stories a read for yourself, specifically from the source texts. My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1). Give those a read and I’d be interested to hear whether you are inspired to update your theory.
Loki is a particularly intriguing character who may be a hypostasis of Odin according to one theory, may be one of Odin’s brothers who assisted in the creation of mankind according to another, and may be related to common-class folklore about a tricky hero who upsets the order imposed by nobility according to yet another. It’s unclear why he is portrayed as a helpful character and friend to the other gods in certain myths, and as a downright murderous villain in others. I’m personally pretty skeptical about the idea that he could be adapted from Jesus, but far be it from me to discourage out-of-the-box thinking :)
My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1). Both come in hardcover.
The vast majority of Norse myths come from two books that are surprisingly accessible to modern audiences if you have a good translation. And as it so happens, they are also pretty cheap!
My recommendation is to get this version of the Poetic Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Edda-Oxford-Worlds-Classics/dp/0199675341/ref=mp_s_a_1_1) and this version of the Prose Edda (https://www.amazon.com/Edda-Everymans-Library-Snorri-Sturluson/dp/0460876163/ref=mp_s_a_1_1).
This Poetic Edda and this Prose Edda
The Poetic Edda translated by Carolyne Larrington, 2014 and the Prose Edda translated by Anthony Faulkes, 1995 ;)
The vast majority of Norse mythology (including all of the myths you will ever encounter in popular media) is contained in two books: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda.
The Poetic Edda is a collection of poetry about gods and heroes that was largely composed during the pagan era. The Prose Edda is a medieval scholarly work that recounts ancient myths in an effort to educate people on the references found in pagan poetry. You can read modern retellings, but these invariably alter the source material in ways the original composers of the ancient poetry did not intend. I highly recommend reading the actual sources rather than any modern retellings. Specifically:
This version of the Poetic Edda and this version of the Prose Edda.
You’re graduating, friend. Time to read the two books all these stories actually came from:
Well you're asking in r/norsemythology so I'm going to recommend you get him the two main sources of Norse Mythology: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda.
If this isn’t creepy enough, then del Toro should tackle the stories in Struwwelpeter next. My parents were German, and I actually had this book as a child - it’s full of gruesome stories with horrific outcomes for children who don’t do as they’re told.
https://www.amazon.ca/Struwwelpeter-English-Translation-Heinrich-Hoffmann/dp/0486284697/ref=nodl_?dplnkId=7410dad7-40d6-4a92-adb2-318be0ad1940
How about
Really bizarre and quite frankly racist childrens book.
or could try The Night Dad Went to Jail: What to Expect When Someone You Love Goes to Jail (Life's Challenges)
As long as we are talking about The Silmarillion, I want to give a plug for its editor (alongside Christopher Tolkien) Guy Gavriel Kay.
Kay is a tremendous writer in his own right. His general pattern is to take historical settings and add a dash of magic (sometimes very light, occasionally heavy) and then turn that into a fictional world. My favorite is The Lions of Al-Rassan, based on Moorish Spain at the time of the reconquest, with a female Jewish protagonist.
He’s prolific though, and his book set in Renaissance Italy is a favorite as well. Check him out if you are looking for new fantasy authors.
My favorite book is If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho which is a collection of Sappho poems translated by Anne Carson! For anyone who is interested, Anne Carson translates Sappho beautifully Amazon Link Goodreads Link.
I posted my tattoo that includes Taylor Swift lyrics on here a few weeks back. My other tattoo, which you can't see in that photo, is a fragment of a Sappho poem! You can imagine how excited I am to see this post - two of of my favorite things colliding!!! lol
Thank you for the thoughtful comparison!
The poet/Classicist Anne Carson did a translation with facing Greek text:
https://www.amazon.com/If-Not-Winter-Fragments-Sappho/dp/0375724516
If I recall correctly, it's not a scholarly text (i.e., there's no app crit, and it's cleaned up a bit). I don't know if that matters to you.
This doesn't have the "Brothers Poem" from P.Obbink (but that may be a forgery anyhow).
The translation by Professor Crawford is very readable. I also recommend professor Crawford’s you tube channel.
May The Gods Be With You.
Al
it is worth bearing in mind that the havamal shouldnt be taken as a perfect piece or perfect rules to follow - a lot of it is (understandably) outdated and theres a considerable amount of awful things written about women in there. its best taken as helpful suggestions and not mandatory commandments you should unquestioningly live by. parts of it are definitely more helpful and applicable than others.
i have this copy of the poetic edda and its beautiful.
I had a copy of it growing up (Dad is German) and in 2008 while in Germany I bought a copy for my kids to enjoy. And today you can just buy it on Amazon.
After you finish Hobb’s heartbreaking work of staggering genius, perhaps try Guy Gavriel Kay’s The Lions of Al-Rassan for that “nice, light palate cleanser” cheer me up you were looking for?
Jackson Crawford is always good.
For further reading Asatru for Beginners by Dr Mathias Nordvig is great. He's got a PHD in Norse Mythology and he's native Danish. He was actually raised Heathen. Very good book.
Jackson Crawford's translations are pretty well regarded and generally considered one of the go-tos
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1624663567/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_suksFb1FY2CC5
Also go and check out r/heathenry for some good resources as well!
"Poor Grendel's had an accident," I whisper. "So may you all."
Also, be careful with relativistic thinking. Some countries ARE in the wrong.
Jacob Walter's account of the hardships he suffered as part of Napoleon's Grand Armee in the Russian campaign of 1812 is one of the best. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Diary-Napoleonic-Footsoldier-Edited-Introduction/dp/0140165592