PICK OF THE WEEK

LOKI

by Melvin Burgess, Coronet, £16.99, ebook £16.99

This debut adult novel from children’s fiction author Melvin Burgess is a spirited retelling of Norse mythology through the eyes of the trickster god Loki. Vain, boastful and cunning yet witty and insightful, the unreliable narrator takes readers on an episodic tour through ancient tales, highlighting the god of mischief-making’s key roles and casting scorn on other deities. We learn of Loki’s birth, his friendship with god-ruler Odin, the arrival of his extraordinary children, a rivalry with god of thunder Thor and his passionate love for Odin’s child Baldr.

Bawdy, violent and tragic stories are recounted in a sardonic and playful tone, but not without moments of tenderness. Loki aims to challenge the authority of the patriarchal gods by exposing their dubious morality, lies and brutality. It’s a fantastic read.