ASGARD STORIES Tales from Norse Mythology

Rupert Degas narrates this collection of stories published in 1901. Degas's aristocratic English accent suits the audiobook's tone of moralistic ethnocentricity. In fact, the authors use the preface and final chapters to frame this work as a quasi-Christian Bible prequel. Most stories, however, seem without bias, and Degas portrays the celestial host of characters with excellence. He gives Odin and Thor deep, booming voices fitting the Allfather and the Thunder God and conjures an even larger presence for the wicked Frost Giants. The mischievous Loki does not earn one of Degas's majestic voices; instead he has a higher-pitched, quick voice suited for a trickster. Listeners not put off by the author's Western framing will appreciate this quick introduction to Norse mythology. L.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2022]