The Reading Room:
Curated Reads by Nordic Lore
New to Nordic and Finnic mythology and folklore?
Unsure where to start?
​
If you're completely new, Id recommend starting with an accessible retelling. It'll give you the stories, characters and themes in a much more readable and digestible format.Â
​
​
​
Ultimately though, Â if you're passionate about the subject, I do recommend moving to the original sources - nothing can quite replace them! Translations matter - I've linked the ones that I personally recommend.
​
​
​
Beyond the mythologies, there is a whole world of fascinating literature on folklore and folk belief - exploring subjects like trolls, spirits, magic, folk customs and supernatural belief rather than the gods themselves.Â
​
​
​
And finally - a lot of excellent fiction based on myth and folklore, however loosely.
​
​
​
N.B. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for your support!
​
Retellings & Introductions
The Norse Myths That Shape The Way We Think
The Norse Myths: A Guide to the Gods and Heroes
Kalevala 1999
The Norse Myths
D'aulaires' Book of Norse Myths
Carolyne Larrington
Carolyne Larrington
Kai Nieminen
Kevin Crossley-Holland
An intelligent introduction to Norse myth that looks not only at the stories themselves, but at how ideas such as fate, power, gender and the end of the world have continued to shape culture and imagination. Fantastic for readers looking for interpretation alongside the myths.
An accessible guide to the gods, heroes and stories with plenty of context about where the myths come from and how they have survived. Larrington draws directly on the Old Norse material while keeping things approachable.
A modern, accessible adaptation of Lönnrot's Kalevala, written by Kai Nieminen. It keeps the characters, stories and strange magical world of the epic while presenting them in a much more approachable form. A great starting point for Finnish readers who want to explore the Kalevala before tackling the original verse.
A classic collection of Norse myths retold in clear, atmospheric prose, accompanied by useful notes, and introduction and glossary. A lovely balance between making the stories enjoyable to read and keeping you connected to the traditions behind them.
A beautifully illustrated introduction to the Norse gods and their stories. Originally written for younger readers, but well worth reading at any age for its distinctive artwork and wonderfully accessible storytelling. A great choice for families or anyone wanting a gentle introduction to Norse myth.
Original Sources
The Poetic Edda
Translated by
Carolyne Larrington
The Prose Edda
By Snorri Sturluson
Translated by Jesse Byock
Grettir's Saga
Kalevala
By Elias Lönnrot
Translated by Keith Bosley
Kanteletar
By Elias Lönnrot
Translated by Keith Bosley
Translated by Jesse Brock
One of the most important surviving sources of Norse mythology. The language and structure can feel unfamiliar at first, but this is where many of the stories later retellings draw from. If you want to move beyond modern versions of the myths, this is the place to begin.
Written by thirteenth-century Iceland, the Prose Edda preserves a huge amount of material about Norse gods. Snorri often explains the stories more directly than the Poetic Edda, but it's also a medieval Christian author's presentation of older traditions rather than a neutral record of pre-Christian belief.
A medieval Icelandic saga centred on the outlaw Grettir Asmundarson. Alongside feud and adventure, it contains memorable supernatural episodes, including encounters with revenants and other uncanny beings. A great source if your interests overlap with folklore, haunting and medieval ideas about the dangerous dead.
A nineteenth-century literary epic compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral poetry. It is enormously influential in the modern understanding of Finnic mythology, but important to remember that it is an edited literarz construction (rather than a single ancient source).
A rich collection of Finnish and Karelian traditional songs gathered and edited by Elias Lönnrot. Unlike the more epic world of the Kalevala, the Kanteletar brings us closer to everyday life through laments, love songs, family life and traditional belief. Keith Bosley's English selection is an excellent translation.
Folklore & Folk Belief
Nordic Tales: Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark
East of the Sun and West of the Moon: Old Tales from the North
The Finnish Book of the Dead
Seasonal Folktales
Scandinavian Folk Belief & Legend
Peter Christen Asbjornsen & Jorgen Moe
Tiina Porthan
Morvern Graham
Reimund Kvideland & Henning K. Sehmsdorf
A wonderful atmospheric collection of traditional tales from across the Nordic countries, bringing together the stories from the Nordics. Ranges across familiar fairy-tale territory (dragons, magic, strange creatures, royalty and the supernatural). A lovelz starting point if you want a broad taste of Nordic storytelling rather than focusing on one particular tradition.
A beautiful collection of traditional Norwegian folktales associated with the great nineteenth-century collectors Peter Christen Asbjornsen and Jorgen Moe. Expect trolls, giants, enchanted animals, impossible journeys and clever heroes, all accompanied by Kay Nielsen's extraordinary illustrations.Â
A very accessible illustrated guide to the darker side of Finnish mythology and folklore, centred on Tuonela, the land of the dead. Explores death deities, grave spirits, restless dead, supernatural animals, illness and beliefs surrounding communication with the otherworldly - drawing on Finnish folk poetry and spells.Â
A beautifully illustrated collection of folktales from all over the North - including stories of trolls, selfies, spirits and witches, in a highly readily, atmospheric style.
A rich collection of Scandinavian legends, beliefs and supernatural traditions, covering everything from the dead and witchcraft to trolls, healers and invisible beings. Unlike a straightforward folktale anthology, this is particularly useful for understanding how supernatural belief functioned in everyday life and oral tradition.
Fiction Inspired by Nordic Mythology & Folklore
The Witch's Heart
Genevieve Gornichec
Ragnarok
A.S.Byatt
The Broken Sword
Poul Anderson
Troll
Johanna Sinisalo
The Long Ships
Frans G. Bengtsson
A lyrical retelling centred on Angrboda, the giantess associated with Loki and the mother of Hel, Fenrir and Jormungandr. It takes familiar Norse mythological figures and gives emotional depth and character-driven interpretations. Beautifully written and captivating to read.
A beautifully strange and reflective reimagining of the Norse myths, framed through the experience of a young girls encountering them during wartime. Byatt is less interested in simply retelling the stories than in exploring destruction, nature, fate and the power of the myth itself. Best for readers who like literary, thoughtful interpretations rather than straightforward fantasy.
A classic fantasy novel steeped in Norse myth, elves, trolls, changelings, curses and doomed heroism. Written long before modern 'myth-inspired fantasy' became a genre of its own, it has a darker, harsher atmosphere than many contemporary retellings and feels very close to saga and legendary tradition.
A strange, unsettling novel that brings the troll into contemporary Finland and treats it as something disturbingly real rather than purely mythical. Sinisalo blends folklore, modern life, sexuality, and ecological unease in a way that feels distinctly Finnish. A brilliant choice if you want folklore reimagined rather than simply retold.
A sweeping, witty historical novel following a Viking adventurer through raids, journeys, feuds and shifting religious worlds. It is not a mythology novel, but it captures the atmosphere of the Viking Age brilliantly and makes a good fiction choice for readers interested in the broader cultural setting behind Norse myth.