Odd and the Frost Giants

By: Neil Gaiman

Narrated by: Neil Gaiman

Length: 1 hr and 46 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back. In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he's had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy. Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle - three creatures with a strange story to tell. Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined - a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it. It's going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter. Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . . Someone just like Odd.

©2009 Neil Gaiman (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

My 4 and 6 year old loved! Mom too!!

While we were listening on the drive to and from karate and soccer the kids would ask to stay in the car a little longer to keep listening. My oldest was disappointed at the end that we could not go and get the next one in the series (like say Harry potter). One warning in the beginning the father drowns which the details might be upsetting for my four year old so I fast forwarded a tad-and it didn't detract from the story not knowing how he died- and he is used to parents being dead as the set up for almost all children's books, and the orphan set up,

As close to a lullaby an adventure story could be

A great story I've listened to again and again for over three years. I don't get tired of it and sometimes use it as a cure for insomnia. The luxury of being read a story when an adult! Gaiman's soothing style lulls me to sleep.

A Viking Tale All Ages Will Love

I did this book as an Audible book simply because Neil Gaiman narrates it. Anything I can listen to read by him is always a treat.

In this book, young Odd is a Viking out of sorts with his people. An injury to his leg prohibits him from going on a long journey - something most male vikings do - and his stepfather doesn't like him very much. As such, Odd decides to run away to his father's old hut out in the woods, but when he gets there, he encounters a bear, an eagle and a fox who have the ability to talk!

Odd soon discovers these creatures are more than what they seem, and he is swept away on a magical journey to Asgard where he must defeat the Frost Giants or leave Midgard to suffer an eternal winter.

This book is a wonderful coming-of-age tale told in Gaiman's unique storytelling. He's able to take Norse mythology and bring it to a modern-day telling without losing any of the magic associated with it and yet making it accessible to all ages.

Brilliant

It's Neil Gaiman reading his short about Odd and the Norse God's. He wrote this I believe in 24 hours and it is fantastic and i really wonder if not the inspiration for How To Train Your Dragon.

You want to get this one!

My 8 year old son has begun to really read for the joy of it and this is one of the books that he reads and rereads and as he is falling asleep asks to listen to with the lights off as he begins to dream. I love reading and listening to this book as well. Highly recommend.

Love it

Love his narrating and imagination. I might be 30 but I enjoy it like a kid might. We all need a little more imagination and a world of our own.

Neil Gaiman is a story teller

Mr Gaiman has an incredible imagination and it seems to carry him off like a treasure seeking Frost Giant. I actually can not imagine any other narrator for his stories because only he knows where all the dramatic pauses and interjection nuances belong.

Odd grows up in this unusual tale. As far as Mr Gaiman's stories I believe he has better tales. This was short and enjoyable.

Gaiman

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Well, I listened to it while traveling. I enjoy that, and Neil's books are clever and entertaining.

Would you be willing to try another book from Neil Gaiman? Why or why not?

I listened to this book because I enjoy Neil Gaiman's books and his quirky characters. I have listened to Neverwhere and The Graveyard Book as well. So far The Graveyard Book is my favorite.

Another excellent story by Gamin

Great story. This is a Norse myth redone for the non Viking. Highly recommend it!

Good but a little slow

Neil Gaiman is great as usual. Always entertaining. But I like his other stories better than this one.