Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman *** (of 4)

Peter Gaiman may be one of the finest read aloud voices in audio books and when he reads his own books it's a real treat.  In Norse Mythology Gaiman brings Odin, Thor, Loki, giants, trolls, and the Valkyries to life and does it in the order in which they emerge first from the void of the earth and then from one another.  I was struck by the parallels to Native American myths and Greek myths.  Thor is powerful, Odin omnipotent, and Loki a trickster and conniver.  The gods are self-centered, deceitful, vain, and manipulative.  For the primitive people whose lives were subject to the whims of gods and fate, it must have all been very satisfying.  Myths, however, are best digested one or two stories in a go, like Bible stories, so their lessons and morals can be pondered and discussed.  Gaiman's voice is wondrous, but taken as a whole -- one story after another -- the book is not so easy to read, or even listen to, too quickly.