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jaredor's review against another edition
relaxing
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? N/A
3.0
poplartears's review against another edition
4.0
Review by Blake: Ehh, it was ok. It didn't have as much action and adventure as I expected.
thesupermassive's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
michellewatson's review against another edition
5.0
Our last read-aloud of the school year, and perhaps the best?! First off, this is by the same Nathaniel Hawthorne who wrote The Scarlett Letter, one of my least favorite classics of all time. But THIS book was delightful!
It's a collection of six Greek myths retold within a frame. The frame takes the form of a wealthy, established American family, full of children who are lucky enough to possess an educated cousin named Eustace Bright, who always tells the best stories. Eustace is away at college, but every season (fall, winter, spring, and summer) he returns home, where he rambles over hill and dale with the children and tells them Greek myths, reclothed in his own Gothic literary style.
Since the myths are supposed to be coming out of Eustace's mouth, they are pitch-perfect read-alouds. The language is elevated, lush, and complex—definitely a little much for my 5-year-old, and I did have to stop and explain a lot. But he and his brother were perfectly able to follow the thread of the storyline, and they really liked each one, especially those with monsters like the chimera.
When I read aloud to my boys, I omitted the frame sections, where the cousins beg Eustace to tell them a story and he agrees. I thought these would be tedious for them, but I read them to myself, and they were actually the most interesting bits for me.
In one of the frames, Eustace is summoned to tell one of his stories in the presence of his classically educated uncle, who basically says, "I liked your story well enough, but it's an abomination. You took too many liberties with the canon." Eustace defends himself by saying something like, "These stories belong to humanity, not to Homer or Ovid. I've just as much right to reimagine them as anyone." Well played, Eustace.
Hawthorne even writes himself into the very last few paragraphs, which brought a smile to my face.
Our library copy contains full-color illustrations by the incomparable Arthur Rackham. I only wish they were larger so I could see the details better.
It's a collection of six Greek myths retold within a frame. The frame takes the form of a wealthy, established American family, full of children who are lucky enough to possess an educated cousin named Eustace Bright, who always tells the best stories. Eustace is away at college, but every season (fall, winter, spring, and summer) he returns home, where he rambles over hill and dale with the children and tells them Greek myths, reclothed in his own Gothic literary style.
Since the myths are supposed to be coming out of Eustace's mouth, they are pitch-perfect read-alouds. The language is elevated, lush, and complex—definitely a little much for my 5-year-old, and I did have to stop and explain a lot. But he and his brother were perfectly able to follow the thread of the storyline, and they really liked each one, especially those with monsters like the chimera.
When I read aloud to my boys, I omitted the frame sections, where the cousins beg Eustace to tell them a story and he agrees. I thought these would be tedious for them, but I read them to myself, and they were actually the most interesting bits for me.
In one of the frames, Eustace is summoned to tell one of his stories in the presence of his classically educated uncle, who basically says, "I liked your story well enough, but it's an abomination. You took too many liberties with the canon." Eustace defends himself by saying something like, "These stories belong to humanity, not to Homer or Ovid. I've just as much right to reimagine them as anyone." Well played, Eustace.
Hawthorne even writes himself into the very last few paragraphs, which brought a smile to my face.
Our library copy contains full-color illustrations by the incomparable Arthur Rackham. I only wish they were larger so I could see the details better.
tichozpytec's review against another edition
4.0
The sort of story I needed right now...
It retells six Greek myths as tales for children and it is set in a beautiful setting of a young scholar and several children who beg him to tell his marvelous stories... A great escape into the world of kindness and simplicity from a horrible year of 2020...
It retells six Greek myths as tales for children and it is set in a beautiful setting of a young scholar and several children who beg him to tell his marvelous stories... A great escape into the world of kindness and simplicity from a horrible year of 2020...
abdiel47's review against another edition
3.0
This was a light and amusing way to enjoy reading a few Greek myths to my children. The author’s attempts to tell the stories in ways that “modern” children would understand are somewhat lost considering how long ago the book was written.
pretty_little_bibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys is basically a retelling of 6 popular Greek stories – The Gorgon’s Head, The Golden Touch, The Paradise of Children, The Three Golden Apples, The Miraculous Pitcher and The Chimaera. The stories are written in the story-within-a-story format and in this way, the author has involved a brilliant framing device. ‘Cousin Eustace’ a bright lad of 18, is telling these stories to his younger cousins, adding his own flavours to the curry, so to speak. Medusa and Midas are characters we have been taught about in some morality play or moral stories, in one way or the other. This, Hawthorne’s method too proved to be a hearty experience. Hawthorne’s blend of humour abounds this collection.
The stories are not truly ‘faithful’ to the actual Greek legends, but instead, Hawthorne has added his own spirit and essence to these. These stories have been rewritten by him in a gothic or a romantic style. Although essentially the same, there are many funny instances that will make you laugh out loud at times. Each of these stories provides an exceptional experience to the reader and makes for one hell of a time!
Although there are also morals clearly thrust forward, it is not overbearingly so and thus, it proved to be an interesting read and not preachy at all! I rate this book 4/5 stars and recommend it to you all. It is quite short and can be read in an hour. You could also read it out to your children or siblings and I am sure that they will love them as well.
The stories are not truly ‘faithful’ to the actual Greek legends, but instead, Hawthorne has added his own spirit and essence to these. These stories have been rewritten by him in a gothic or a romantic style. Although essentially the same, there are many funny instances that will make you laugh out loud at times. Each of these stories provides an exceptional experience to the reader and makes for one hell of a time!
Although there are also morals clearly thrust forward, it is not overbearingly so and thus, it proved to be an interesting read and not preachy at all! I rate this book 4/5 stars and recommend it to you all. It is quite short and can be read in an hour. You could also read it out to your children or siblings and I am sure that they will love them as well.