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pinxsol's review against another edition
1.0
It was great. Until it wasn't.
At first I was amazed. The descriptions are very evocative and atmospheric, feel very real and read like lived experiences. The style is simple, not flowery, and yet the author can describe nature in such a way that you not only feel it, you live it.
I turned the notebook towards me, scanning the sprawling, untidy handwriting, picking out words and phrases, reading through the years of my father's life in a few scant seconds. The words were as meaningless, on the whole, as those on my purloined sheet. To read them brought back a memory of anger, of danger, and of fear.
This quote is among my favorites in the book. It's so evocative, even though it uses the simplest, basest nouns to describe feelings associated with [violent] mental illness, and yet those words encompass that broad range of feelings perfectly.
But once the female character was introduced into the picture, it all went downhill. There are erotic unwashed female smell galore, 'childish sexuality' (direct quote from the book btw), she's 16, etc etc.
What I got from it: the mythical woods is just a veneer for sexualizing the 'primitive' woman of the forest. That whole amazing premise all going down the drain for a freaking love story between a 'civilized' man and a 'primitive' woman. And of course, of course she is described as being both child and woman, because it's the 20th century and we simply cannot go without some pedo connotations.
Also, the only other female character of any relevance was a small naked girl of about 14, and the author thought it was important that we know the exact color of her breasts. The author obviously had a problem relating to young girls, because that's jail time right there.
The saddest thing about this book by far is that it started so well. I was so into the whole vibe of those magical fantastical woods with apparitions of Robin Hoods and forgotten pagan deities and everything. It sounds absolutely amazing on paper, like myth and civilization and nature all mashed together into the most amazing and haunting soup ever.
But no. No, it's just a story about a guy smelling unwashed female scent and getting a boner.
At first I was amazed. The descriptions are very evocative and atmospheric, feel very real and read like lived experiences. The style is simple, not flowery, and yet the author can describe nature in such a way that you not only feel it, you live it.
I turned the notebook towards me, scanning the sprawling, untidy handwriting, picking out words and phrases, reading through the years of my father's life in a few scant seconds. The words were as meaningless, on the whole, as those on my purloined sheet. To read them brought back a memory of anger, of danger, and of fear.
This quote is among my favorites in the book. It's so evocative, even though it uses the simplest, basest nouns to describe feelings associated with [violent] mental illness, and yet those words encompass that broad range of feelings perfectly.
But once the female character was introduced into the picture, it all went downhill. There are erotic unwashed female smell galore, 'childish sexuality' (direct quote from the book btw), she's 16, etc etc.
What I got from it: the mythical woods is just a veneer for sexualizing the 'primitive' woman of the forest. That whole amazing premise all going down the drain for a freaking love story between a 'civilized' man and a 'primitive' woman. And of course, of course she is described as being both child and woman, because it's the 20th century and we simply cannot go without some pedo connotations.
Also, the only other female character of any relevance was a small naked girl of about 14, and the author thought it was important that we know the exact color of her breasts. The author obviously had a problem relating to young girls, because that's jail time right there.
The saddest thing about this book by far is that it started so well. I was so into the whole vibe of those magical fantastical woods with apparitions of Robin Hoods and forgotten pagan deities and everything. It sounds absolutely amazing on paper, like myth and civilization and nature all mashed together into the most amazing and haunting soup ever.
But no. No, it's just a story about a guy smelling unwashed female scent and getting a boner.
songwind's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. It had a lot of interesting movement without being overly laden down with action. The forms taken by the myths were also interesting, and I had a fun time thinking of familiar myths that might fit the myth forms that appeared in the story.
heatherinthenether's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book took forever to really get into and is riddled with cringey lines, weird references, and uncomfortable moments, all of which are centered around the author's writing of women. The love interest is simultaneously the manic pixie dream girl, a fierce warrior, and an innocent child. It's weird.
The story itself examines concepts of myth and the hero's journey and shared consciousness, and creates an intriguing story that brings to life several recurring themes in the story of humanity. An expanded version of this universe, written by someone less euro-centered and creepy about women, would be a phenomenal work.
The story itself examines concepts of myth and the hero's journey and shared consciousness, and creates an intriguing story that brings to life several recurring themes in the story of humanity. An expanded version of this universe, written by someone less euro-centered and creepy about women, would be a phenomenal work.
kitdunsmore's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book once before, years ago, and didn't really remember it. It turned out to be a good book for me to read because I'm interested in telling a story that uses some historical documents as part of the telling. In looking more closely at how this book was structured, especially with the journal entries, letters, and legends told in mind, I discovered another level of meaning. It's a story about story-telling, about the power of myth and legend and its importance in our lives. The wood itself is scary - dark, mysterious, and brutal at times, but I think that goes hand-in-hand with the sort of forces the spirits of this wood are meant to represent. Lots of loose ends were left, so I think I'll be reading the next book in the series to see which if any of them are addressed.
winterscape's review
4.0
About halfway through Mythago Wood, I became frustrated. I loved (what I thought was) the premise: two adult sons bonding over the journal of their now-deceased father and uncovering the mysteries that he had been trying to unlock in the primeval forest adjacent to their childhood home.
That is NOT what Mythago Wood is, and I had been planning on griping here about all the ways it deviated from this vision I had in my head. But as I read on, I eventually got some of what I wanted, my irritation wavered, and I began to enjoy the book for what it is.
And there is a lot to like here. Lovers of myth should definitely pick this one up. Mythago Wood touches on the ideas of Joseph Campbell and universal myth cycles in a very unique way, with myth creation becoming something that happens in real time, but still mixed with the collective beliefs of civilizations that may only exist in memory. In practice, this brings mythology, fantasy, horror, and historical fiction together to make a great case for reading more by this author.
Another big plus is the setting, of course. I think this may be the best instance I’ve come across in fantasy of the ancient, magic woods, barring Mirkwood. The sense of adventure, shadowed threat, and a deep, wild power is very present and I will most likely read the next books in the series just for this setting alone.
The epistolary/journal entry device also adds so much to the sense of mystery, as well as the time period of post-war Britain. I would probably also stay up by torchlight to sneak glances at my travelling companion’s journal...
Historical settings, too, this book has it all. After having visited Ireland, and the Neolithic tombs in particular, the inclusion of elements of that culture (though small) was a lot of fun. Roman roads and Viking villages—you never know what could come next.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, these things that make it great are lost in a slumping middle that deals with the development of a romance plot. While it does play an extremely important role in the narrative, I think it didn’t have to, and I wasn’t expecting it going in. There were (a million) more interesting ways to explore the setting with these characters, but even if I accept the love story, the way that it involves a female character whose role is solely, it seems, to be fallen in love with by every male member of the same family is off-putting to say the least. The description of her as both child-like and exuding sexuality was also disturbing. I think I can see the mythic cycle idea behind the inclusion of an irresistible maiden character, but it could have been handled better, both in terms of character development and tightening up the writing in the middle.
All that is to say, however, that the best parts do come after this slightly disappointing mid-life crisis, so I came out the other end feeling ready for more of Ryhope Wood.
That is NOT what Mythago Wood is, and I had been planning on griping here about all the ways it deviated from this vision I had in my head. But as I read on, I eventually got some of what I wanted, my irritation wavered, and I began to enjoy the book for what it is.
And there is a lot to like here. Lovers of myth should definitely pick this one up. Mythago Wood touches on the ideas of Joseph Campbell and universal myth cycles in a very unique way, with myth creation becoming something that happens in real time, but still mixed with the collective beliefs of civilizations that may only exist in memory. In practice, this brings mythology, fantasy, horror, and historical fiction together to make a great case for reading more by this author.
Another big plus is the setting, of course. I think this may be the best instance I’ve come across in fantasy of the ancient, magic woods, barring Mirkwood. The sense of adventure, shadowed threat, and a deep, wild power is very present and I will most likely read the next books in the series just for this setting alone.
The epistolary/journal entry device also adds so much to the sense of mystery, as well as the time period of post-war Britain. I would probably also stay up by torchlight to sneak glances at my travelling companion’s journal...
Historical settings, too, this book has it all. After having visited Ireland, and the Neolithic tombs in particular, the inclusion of elements of that culture (though small) was a lot of fun. Roman roads and Viking villages—you never know what could come next.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, these things that make it great are lost in a slumping middle that deals with the development of a romance plot. While it does play an extremely important role in the narrative, I think it didn’t have to, and I wasn’t expecting it going in. There were (a million) more interesting ways to explore the setting with these characters, but even if I accept the love story, the way that it involves a female character whose role is solely, it seems, to be fallen in love with by every male member of the same family is off-putting to say the least. The description of her as both child-like and exuding sexuality was also disturbing. I think I can see the mythic cycle idea behind the inclusion of an irresistible maiden character, but it could have been handled better, both in terms of character development and tightening up the writing in the middle.
All that is to say, however, that the best parts do come after this slightly disappointing mid-life crisis, so I came out the other end feeling ready for more of Ryhope Wood.
captainbookamir's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
pizzamyheart's review
5.0
I have read and reread this book. Every time I take away something a little different. It hasn't received the "popularity" that many other excellent books have, but I think that's what makes this such a gem. This book takes me to a whole other world. It is raw and harsh. If I had to pick only one book from my bookshelf to save from a fire, it would be this book.
gurgehwolf's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
persychan's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.25
2,25 stelle
Capisco che è un pezzo del 1980, ma il fatto che ripetutamente da varie personaggi "innamorati" di Guiwenneth la paragonino ad una bambina, nella stessa frase in cui la trovano sexy o con intenti romantici è terribile. "Sensualità fanciullesca" 🤢
Per il resto la storia ha un'interessante concept, alquanto Jungiano, con tutta la faccenda dell'inconscio collettivo e del bosco come simbolo della natura interiore selvaggia e l'evidente tematica di ossessione. E questo è soprattutto godibile nella prima parte, mentre invece la sezione centrale è stata lenta, una lunga attesa e il tentativo mal venuto di convincermi che c'è qualcosa di effettivamente romantico e non magia/ossessione nei confronti di Guiwenneth. Per poi confermati in una leggenda che lei è magicamente attraente e c'è poco che puoi farci.
Il libro risente tanto dei suoi anni e di personaggi poco approfonditi, ma è atmosferico.
Capisco che è un pezzo del 1980, ma il fatto che ripetutamente da varie personaggi "innamorati" di Guiwenneth la paragonino ad una bambina, nella stessa frase in cui la trovano sexy o con intenti romantici è terribile. "Sensualità fanciullesca" 🤢
Per il resto la storia ha un'interessante concept, alquanto Jungiano, con tutta la faccenda dell'inconscio collettivo e del bosco come simbolo della natura interiore selvaggia e l'evidente tematica di ossessione. E questo è soprattutto godibile nella prima parte, mentre invece la sezione centrale è stata lenta, una lunga attesa e il tentativo mal venuto di convincermi che c'è qualcosa di effettivamente romantico e non magia/ossessione nei confronti di Guiwenneth. Per poi confermati in una leggenda che lei è magicamente attraente e c'è poco che puoi farci.
Il libro risente tanto dei suoi anni e di personaggi poco approfonditi, ma è atmosferico.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship