Recollection can be key for creative inspiration. This memory involves travel and a collection of Norse mythology.
In this “Memories & Stories” series, I reminisce about some of my fondest memories that involved reading, writing, or listening to unforgettable tales. I hope that it gives you some insight into the stories that I love and what inspires me to write my own, and maybe even provides you with a spark of inspiration, too.
Neil Gaiman’s American Gods is one of my favorite novels. I first read it as a young man newly arrived in the throes of adulthood, and it was my first experience with any of his work. Even as a child, I have always enjoyed reading about mythologies from various regions of the world. So discovering Gaiman’s book was incredibly exciting. I was fascinated by the way it questioned the nature of mythological storytelling and its impact on present-day society. I also adored the diverse composition of modern interpretations of mythological characters. And I was pleased to discover that (minor spoiler ahead) the country of Iceland—a location whose rugged landscape, unique culture, and eventful history have always fascinated me—played a minor, yet impactful, role in the novel’s conclusion. Needless to say, I became a big fan of Neil Gaiman after reading American Gods.
An evening with Neil Gaiman.
Years later, in 2017, Neil Gaiman was on tour throughout the United States promoting his newest project, Norse Mythology, a reimagining of classic Norse tales. My wife and I were expecting our first child later that year, so we were actively trying to enjoy as many nights out on the town as possible before our inevitable, lengthy stay at home with a newborn. And when we heard about Gaiman’s upcoming stop in our hometown, we jumped at the opportunity to enjoy an evening with the celebrated author.
We kicked off the evening with a delectable dinner at a fancy restaurant. Then we spent the night in the company of a thousand members of our community, all sharing in the delightful experience of listening to Gaiman read tales from his newest collection and older works, field questions from fans, and discuss his experiences as a writer, parent, and patron of the arts. It was a wonderful evening with my wife, and a memory on which I look back with incredible fondness.
An ambitious travel plan.
The following summer, in 2018, my wife and I grew restless as new parents and were eager to continue pursuing one of our favorite shared passions: travel. With zeal and ambition—and a healthy dose of naivety—we took our nine-month-old daughter with us on a whirlwind tour through Scandinavia. While traveling with an infant was exhausting, my wife and I learned so much about one another as parents, and we made countless memories that have helped shape our lives ever since: Our daughter learning to crawl on the rustic wooden floors of a posh Airbnb rental in Copenhagen. Spending a rain-soaked day exploring several museums in Oslo. Floating across the crystal waters and beneath the towering cliffs of Norway’s fjord country.
We capped off our adventure in Iceland, driving across the brutal and beautiful landscape that was unlike any other we’d ever seen in our years of traveling the world. Dynamic waterfalls, black sand beaches, colossal volcanic rock formations hewed by centuries of frigid weather—it’s an incredible place. While driving across the long stretches of highway, we listened to a variety of podcasts, music, and, of course, audio books. But of all the sights, sounds, and emotions we experienced during those magical few days, one memory stands out.
A favorite memory.
While driving back to the capital city of Reykjavik after a long day of exploring natural wonders, we began listening to the audio version of Norse Mythology, narrated by Neil Gaiman himself. As the sun dipped near the western horizon, my wife and daughter both fell asleep, weary after a joyously exhausting day. But I was not alone. For the next hour, before we arrived at our lodging for the night, Gaiman kept me company. He thrilled me with tales of the Norse gods as my family soared across an ancient land that became home to the Vikings so very long ago. It was a peaceful, meditative, and introspective hour, and one of the most immersive story experiences of my adult life.
We arrived at our rental house after the sun had vanished for the evening and the sky grew as dark as it possibly could during an Icelandic summer. I shut off the car’s engine and the sudden silence and stillness of the moment woke my wife. She yawned, stretched, and asked, “How was the drive?” I paused, searching for the best words with which to respond. When I couldn’t find them, I simply smiled at her.
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