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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
Fascinating even though I’m not convinced I’m smart enough to read this book. Kaleidoscopic, stream of consciousness or with an organization too subtle for me to grasp, it’s about Greek myth, the “dawn of civilization”, philosophy, heroes, the way stories are passed down, probably other things too. I kinda loved it, which is weird because I don’t know how much I retained and I doubt I could discuss it intelligently.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
This was soo much fun to read! Roberto Calasso writes so beautifully, it's a delight to read. The book covers most, if not all, of the Greek myths and stories. It is a collection of essays where stories with similar themes or occurring at the same time are in the same essay. It is a heavy read, not beacause of heavy content matter but because of the language used. I'd recommend taking your time with this and reading one essay at time instead of trying to finish the whole thing in one go. Overall I really enjoyed reading this, inspite of taking 8 months to finish it.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I had much higher hopes for this book. It started off good— informative, and well researched. I was quite excited to get the entire history on Cadmus and Harmony, and their marriage. Except, unfortunately it quickly got off that topic and started discussing other Greek mythological topics. That’s great and all, but it caught me off guard and was not what I was expecting. I would have rated this book just two stars, but because it is so well written and thoroughly researched I am giving it three.
challenging
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
this is a great book but i wasn’t in the right place mentally to enjoy it so it just dragged on forever. definitely due for a reread when i have some more brain space available.
This is, without doubt, one of the most precious and beautiful things I've read. Ever. At the end of the world, or on the desert island, when I have to choose five things to keep with me, this will be one of them. There is not a single person I know that I wouldn't recommend it to. I am currently fighting the urge to re-draft our mythology course to use this as its primary modern text (instead of Harris & Platzner, with Graves as a backup) - though I suspect it would be far more effective as a companion text for studies in Greek epic and textual reception. Endlessly inspiring; perfectly composed and translated. Ten out of five stars.
Calasso...he is up there with Eliade and Campbell, for me.