Loki: WICKED, VISCERAL, TRANSGRESSIVE: Norse gods as you've never seen them before

Product Information

Melvin's first adult novel, LOKI, a re-telling of the Norse myths through the mischievous Loki, was published by Coronet (Hodder) in 2022 and Pegasus Books in the US in 2023. Praise for LOKI: Alongside the politics of Asgard, it charts the course of Loki's many loves and families, from his mothering of Odin's famous horse to his intense, turbulent, and, eventually, fatal relationship with Baldr the Beautiful - a tender and moving story of love that goes wrong, jealousy and a transitioning that is forbidden by society. Ik heb overwogen om dit boek 5 sterren te geven, maar aan het einde was er toch een iets te grote afwijking van de originele mythe. Melvin Burgess is a British author of children's fiction. His first book, The Cry of the Wolf, was published in 1990. He gained a certain amount of notoriety in 1996 with the publication of Junk, which was published in the shadow of the film of Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting, and dealt with the trendy and controversial idea of heroin-addicted teenagers. Junk soon became, at least in Britain, one of the best-known children's books of the decade. Burgess recounts Loki's genius . . . with great gusto, pulling together many tales into one sometimes beautifully lyrical masterwork.' SFX MAGAZINE

I pretty much enjoy anything related to Norse mythology, but "Loki" is absolutely fantastic. I loved it! Burgess must have chanelled Loki, because, even at the end, I'm not sure if Loki is telling the truth or not! It's brilliantly written, the characters are perfect (or not - you know what I mean!), and the setting(s) are excellent. I was disappointed to reach the end, but I'm sure it's possible for "Loki 2" to come into existance (please!). Junk is 25 years old this year! That would make Gemma in her early 40’s by now. I hope she’s managed to stay clean. I kept changing my mind about this one, it started strong and finished really strong but some of the middle didn’t keep me as hooked. On the whole it’s a compelling and clever read, even more so the longer I reflect upon it. A little later, my brother Helblindi hatched from beneath the earth, from a womb created where, at the moment of the strike, the first great branch fell blazing to the ground. We heard his wailing, mother and I, and it was I who first parted the leaf mould and found him lying there. Later, in my fourth spring, when the bees first made their nest inside the hollow tree, my youngest brother Byeleist was born. We found him cooing melodiously among the honeycomb, where the bees nursed him and made him strong.

Alongside the politics of Asgard, it charts the course of Loki’s many loves and families, from his mothering of Odin’s famous horse to his intense, turbulent, and, eventually, fatal relationship with Baldr the Beautiful – a tender and moving story of love that goes wrong, jealousy and a transitioning that is forbidden by society. My aim is not to deny anything. I have my flaws. Unlike the other gods I am aware of them. I embrace them, in fact. They make me what I am. But I have also done a great deal of good in my time – more good than bad, I like to think. I have been your friend from the beginning. I gave you fire, when the gods would keep you in the darkness. They changed my name so that you could not know, but it was me, it was me all the time. I showed you the wheel, the smithy, the plough to name but a few. Believe me when I say that my compa- triots have not loved me for any of it. Well, I didn’t win – that honour goes to Paola Zannoner her book, L’Ultimo Faro – The Last Lighthouse. But I did have a lovely time. I love Italy; my publishers there are fabulous and of course it was a delight to be up for a big prize. The winner is announced at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair on 27th March. I’ll be there. Maybe I’ll even win – although the competition is very hot. Fingers crossed. Yes. I, Loki. In this fiery womb I came into being. I have used my words to help you bear witness to my birth.

I am fascinated by mythology. The stories of ancient gods and heroes seem to have a staying power that has outlasted belief in them. Endlessly invented and reinvented, they clearly remain relevant today, immensely popular and indeed seem to be having a bit of a moment now, especially through feminist versions and as here, those which re-evaluate the villains of the pantheons. Dates are 7th – 14th September. The area around the Rancho is just lovely at this time of year. With fields of cosmos and Mexican sunflowers in full flower, the wildflowers are stunning. There are some beautiful hummingbirds and butterflies – clouds of them in some cases – a great array of bird life and rides through some of the loveliest countryside you’ll have seen. It’s the story of Marianne, who lies in a comma and is just starting to regain her memory at the same time that the doctors, and even her mother, are beginning to give up hope. But although Marianne has memories, she doesn’t yet realise who it is who is doing the remembering. The doctors want to turn of her life support. Will she realise in time to save her life? Burgess recounts Loki’s genius with great gusto, pulling together many tales into one beautifully lyrical masterwork.”

Here’s some truly wonderful news – I’m to be the IBBY UK nominee for the Hans Andersen Authr Award 2018, with the wonderful Jane Ray put forward for illustration. Many congratulatns to her – she must be feeling as pleased as I am.