About the Book: A.S. Byatt reimagines the ancient Norse myth of Ragnarok—the legendary destruction of the gods and the end of the world—through the eyes of a young girl during the turmoil of the Second World War. Evacuated to the countryside during the Battle of Britain, she discovers a book of Norse myths that transforms her understanding of war, disaster, fate, and human resilience. Blending mythology, history, and literary reflection, Byatt creates a powerful meditation on destruction, renewal, and the enduring relevance of ancient stories.