The Blurb (from Goodreads):
The Greek myths are the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney.
They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. In Stephen Fry's hands the stories of the titans and gods become a brilliantly entertaining account of ribaldry and revelry, warfare and worship, debauchery, love affairs and life lessons, slayings and suicides, triumphs and tragedies.
You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis.
Thoroughly spellbinding, informative and moving, Stephen Fry's Mythos perfectly captures these stories for the modern age - in all their rich and deeply human relevance.
My Thoughts:
I’ve loved the Greek myths since I read Roger Lancelyn Green’s retellings as a child. I have a beautiful Folio edition of Robert Graves’ classic collection, plus a great many other books on the subject – but I was eager to read this version by Stephen Fry, being a huge fan of his warm, intimate, erudite style (of course!)
I read the book whilst in Greece, and its gorgeous blue cover was almost exactly the same colour as the sea outside my window which added enormously to my pleasure.
The book was just as delightful as I had hoped, and took me on a rollicking rip-snorting journey through these ancient stories of gods and goddesses, and all their lusts and rivalries and jealousies and cruelties. Most of the tales I knew very well; some I had forgotten, and a few I had not encountered before. This would be an excellent introduction to the myths for a teenager, or anyone who would like to know more but does not have the stamina for Robert Graves. In fact, I tossed it to my husband the moment I finished it and he is reading it right now, with the occasional snort of laughter.
You might also like to read my review of Searching for Sappho by Philip Freeman:
https://kateforsyth.com.au/what-katie-read/book-review-searching-for-sappho-the-lost-songs-world-of-the-first-woman-poet-by-philip-freeman
