The Gospel of Loki by Joanne Harris is a retelling of Norse mythology from the perspective of Loki, the Trickster. The book captures Loki's voice as an amoral, witty, and restless character who narrates the tales with humor and mischief. Through Loki's storytelling, readers are introduced to the gods and goddesses of Asgard, exploring familiar myths from a fresh and entertaining point of view. The narrative style of the book mixes modern language with traditional mythology, providing an inimitable retelling of old legends that is both enjoyable and amusing.

Characters:

Characters are mainly viewed through Loki's biased lens, resulting in complex portrayals of Loki but often simplified or altered representations of other gods.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is characterized by a humorous and casual tone, often employing modern language to present ancient myths, making the storytelling accessible and engaging.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around the retelling of Norse mythology through the eyes of Loki, showcasing his experiences and interactions with other gods while highlighting key mythological events.

Setting:

The setting draws heavily on Norse mythology, placing readers in Asgard and the surrounding mythological realms while infusing modern elements.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally quick with short chapters, presenting a series of episodes; however, this contributes to a lack of overarching urgency.

THE WORLDS ARE ALWAYS CHANGING. It’s their nature to ebb and flow. That’s why, in the old days, the Middle Worlds were smaller than they are today – later, they expanded in the years of the Winter War...

Notes:

The Gospel of Loki is a retelling of Norse mythology, narrated by Loki, the Trickster god.

Joanne M. Harris wrote the book, balancing humor and mythological elements.

The narrative portrays Loki as an unreliable narrator, full of charm and self-importance.

The book incorporates many well-known Norse myths, such as Thor in drag and the building of Asgard's walls.

Some readers enjoyed the modern vernacular, while others preferred a more traditional tone.

The characterizations of gods like Thor and Freyja were criticized for being oversimplified and lacking depth.

The book offers a playful, humorous take on old myths, appealing especially to younger audiences.

Visual elements, like an elaborate cover design, enhance the book's appeal.

Readers noted that familiarity with Norse mythology helps in understanding the story's nuances.

The Gospel of Loki has a sequel and is part of a larger series, but some readers expressed disinterest in continuing.

Some comments referenced Tom Hiddleston's portrayal of Loki in Marvel films, impacting reader expectations.

The book was well-received for making complex characters like Loki more relatable and human.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of betrayal, manipulation, and portrayals of violence from the original myths.

From The Publisher:

"A surprise from the author of Chocolat," New York Times bestselling author Joanne M. Harris, "this pacy adult fantasy is narrated by Loki, the Norse god of fire and mischief" (Vogue).

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."

Ratings (4)

Incredible (1)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (25):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (14)
Not Interested (7)

What can you read after
The Gospel of Loki?

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About the Author:

Joanne Harris is an Anglo-French author, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks, and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magical realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology, and fantasy. In 2000, her 1999 novel Chocolat was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St. Catharine's College, Cambridge, and in 2013 was awarded an MBE by the Queen. Her hobbies are listed in Who's Who as "mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting, and quiet subversion." She also spends too much time on Twitter, plays flute and bass guitar in a band first formed when she was sixteen, and works from a shed in her garden at her home in Yorkshire.

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