Neil Gaiman

Bloomsbury (this edition 2010)

ISBN: 978-0-7475-9811-4

Reviewed by Tehani Wessely

This is one of those gorgeous Gaiman books that you just have to have, forever, in your bookshelves. You might let the kids read it, but only with clean hands and no food or drink near them! A hardcover reprint edition of this short little book, with new, utterly gorgeous illustrations by Adam Stower, Odd and the Frost Giants captures the eye and imagination in one.

Having seen Gaiman read at the Sydney Opera House (accompanied by a string quartet no less) this year, and having listened to him read the audio version of The Graveyard Book and some of his delightful children’s stories, I now hear Neil’s voice, the lovely cadences and rhythms of his lovely British accent, whenever I read his work. So reading Odd and the Forest Giants was a strange experience, with that voice in my head, but it simply added to my reading enjoyment! The story draws on Norse mythology for its basis, with Neil’s own stroke drawn boldly in the tale of a young man who strikes out to find his own place in his world and comes across three gods trapped in animal form. Odd learns a lot about himself and life as he assists the gods, and in a very compact story, Gaiman imparts a wondeful examination of growing up.

The book is beautiful – an attractive gift option – and the story is beautifully written, heartwarming, sad and entertaining in one package. A definite must for the bookshelf!