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

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Alongside the politics of Asgard, the novel 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 a love that goes wrong. a mischievous, unpredictable and clever book that breathes new life into an already fascinating character and godly race.’ CULTUREFLY Burgess again courted predictable controversy in 2003, with the publication of Doing It, which dealt with underage sex. America created a show based on the book, Life As We Know It. In his other books, such as Bloodtide and The Ghost Behind the Wall, Burgess has dealt with less realist and sometimes fantastic themes. In 2001 Burgess wrote the novelisation of the film Billy Elliot, based on Lee Hall's screenplay. Polyphony is typical for his most famous novels.

It is also a book that does not gloss over the queerness of Norse mythology. Loki is a shapeshifter and spends time as a man and as a woman, and loves both - and that takes centre stage in this retelling. It also looks at how the body of Norse mythology includes both queerness and homophobia, and I really liked that it didn't try to erase one to make the other fit.There was no question of it being something I was aiming at young people. When you write for young people, it’s not that you’re censoring yourself, it’s that you’re writing about being that age. Loki isn’t about being that age; there isn’t anyone of that age in it. I’ve made a career out of remembering being a teenager and trying to relate to that time, but it was bloody long ago! I don’t really have much more to say about it. Adult stuff is where I’m looking now. I’ve got more Norse gods bubbling away – I want to get grips with Odin at some point – as well as a long-term project around the childhood of Bill Sikes [from Oliver Twist]. Everyone says fourteen year-old Billie is nothing but trouble. A fighter. A danger to her family and friends. But her care worker sees someone different.

The relationships Loki has with his fellow gods and giants is the crux of the story. This is a story about the characters, rather than the plot, and their importance in Loki's life, whether positively or negatively. Especially his relationship with Odin. In recent years, thanks to marvel, Loki has been associated with Odin as his adopted son, and whilst that does make for a compelling dynamic, the relationship between them in the mythology is more like brothers, as shown in this book, being sworn brothers. There is also a lovely message of androgynous beauty and I will leave it at that for I do not want to spoil the unexpected surprise near the end!Burgess frames his gleeful adult debut as Loki, Norse god of mischief, attempting to set his story straight. With a reputation and history to rewrite, the wily, defiant, and prideful Loki chronicles his many contributions to Asgard, home of the gods. Burgess's Loki turns classic Norse legend on its head and doles out heavy doses of sarcasm and contempt at not getting enough recognition for all he has done for Asgard. This will be a treat for any fan of remixed mythology." My most overwhelming thought while reading this was, ‘this is bizarre!’. I mean myths and gods are always kinda weird but some of this was like what on earth!?? The story of human origins and the reader consequently being referred to as, ‘arse born’, was a particular highlight of weirdness.

Now listen and attend closely, I shall tell you the story of my downfall– the truth, not the propaganda, not the Asgard spin. You will see that I am your friend after all.” Waterstones Manchester Deansgate event with Mark Illis. It’s a double launch!– Mark’s launching his book, The Impossible; on the Run. I’ll be talking about The Lost Witch. JULY 21st 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. Step into the ancient fir-tree forests of Scandinavia and bear witness to legends as epic as those of the Greeks and the Romans. 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. Odin’s senescent rule becomes more and more oppressive, and the gods of Asgard start to resemble the tyrannical elements of our own civilisation. But the solutions Loki proffers are adolescent: can’t we, like, imagine a world without war, he wonders at the end. It's a great thing to be shortlisted for this Award. I'd be so happy if it won! - but whatever happens, I| get a trip to Italy and I'll be making the most of it! Pete, Tariq and myself were interviewed by A M Dassu in the Portico Library’s Pathways to Publishing, part of the Manchester City of Literature, Festival of Libraries. You can listen to it here.