I recently read Gaiman’s “Norse Mythology”, where he has attempted to take works like the Poetic Edda and “translate” the stories into a modern phrasing and structuring - while attempting to stay true to the original work - so that current readers may more directly read these stories.

It was a fun read (though obviously not fully comprehensive, which I would have preferred) but so far it’s the only one of it’s type that I have come across. I highly doubt that I would have read the Poetic Edda in a raw translation and, if I had, I doubt that my understanding of the stories would have been as thorough.

I am fascinated by the belief systems of civilizations and would like to read some books that attempt to present these systems in a more approachable manner (even if not a “leisurely read”), but given the complexity and often interweaving and evolving views of deities and their relationships to one another and the people, finding a source that presents more than a quick cursory summary but also has been written in a way it won’t overwhelm has been very difficult and is a balancing act I haven’t seen an author really pull off yet.

I am particularly interested in the belief systems pertaining to the Mesoamerican civilizations or more ancient/older Asian civilizations (an exploration on early Hinduism would be fascinating!), but any and all recommendations are welcome!

Could historians specializing in mythologies/beliefs recommend some works and detail why these works in particular are great areas to begin learning?

Thanks!