The Poetic Edda

This wonderful new edition of the Poetic Edda, as highlighted by Jesse Byock, PhD from UCLA, captures the language, vitality, and rhythms of the original. The Poetic Edda, committed to vellum in Iceland around 1270, has compelled the likes of renowned figures such as Richard Wagner, J.R.R. Tolkien, Jorges Luis Borges, and W.H. Auden, featuring a diverse cast of gods, giants, the undead, dwarves, Valkyries, heroes, kidnapping, dragons, and a giant wolf.

Jeramy Dodds, the acclaimed poet whose work Crabwise to the Hounds was shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize and won the Trillium Book Award for poetry, has skillfully transmitted the Old Icelandic text into English without chipping the patina of the original. This new edition offers readers a captivating and immersive experience, allowing them to delve into the rich tapestry of Norse mythology and explore the timeless tales that have inspired generations of artists and scholars.

The Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems, has long been a cornerstone of Scandinavian literature and culture. These ancient verses, passed down through oral tradition, preserve the mythological and heroic traditions of the Norse people, providing a unique window into their worldview, beliefs, and values. The Poetic Edda's enduring appeal lies in its ability to transport readers to a realm of enchantment, where the gods and their cosmic battles, the heroes and their quests, and the fantastical creatures of Norse mythology come alive in vivid detail.

Jeramy Dodds's translation, with its meticulous attention to preserving the original's rhythmic and linguistic qualities, offers readers a fresh and immersive encounter with these timeless tales. By maintaining the cadence and nuances of the Old Icelandic, Dodds allows the reader to experience the Poetic Edda in all its raw power and poetic grandeur, capturing the essence of this seminal work.

The Poetic Edda's influence on Western literature and popular culture cannot be overstated. From the operas of Richard Wagner to the fantasy worlds of J.R.R. Tolkien, the stories and characters of the Poetic Edda have woven their way into the collective consciousness, inspiring countless creative works across various mediums. This new edition, with Jeramy Dodds's exceptional translation, ensures that the rich tapestry of Norse mythology continues to captivate and inspire readers, scholars, and artists alike.

In conclusion, this wonderful new edition of the Poetic Edda, with its faithful and evocative translation by Jeramy Dodds, is a must-read for anyone intrigued by the captivating world of Norse mythology. It offers a powerful and immersive experience, transporting readers to a realm of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures, and cementing the Poetic Edda's enduring legacy as a timeless masterpiece of world literature.

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