Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry

48 reviews

readsbymoonlight's review against another edition

funny informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Death, and Violence

mrsjburgin's review against another edition

adventurous funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Animal death, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment, Incest, Stalking, Slavery, Sexual violence, Cannibalism, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Alcohol, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, War, Pedophilia, Murder, Excrement, and Death

ebp's review

informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Infidelity, Incest, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Death of parent, Cannibalism, Toxic relationship, Ableism, Murder, Suicide attempt, Classism, Animal death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Death, Colonisation, Child death, and Child abuse

sarahsss's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny informative reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, War, and Violence

annakh16's review against another edition

adventurous funny informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I mean, this was just great. Fun (albeit disturbing at times, as myths tend to be), well-told and very informative. This is an accessible book for anyone who wants to get into Greek myths or already loves them. Also, if I ever need to win an alliteration contest, I know where to go for inspiration. 

Part of what makes this so informative is Fry‘s attention to detail, always citing his sources when there are divergent versions of a myth, among other things. I also really appreciated his many references to the etymology of everyday words and their links to Greek myths, as well to the reception of some stories in classic and modern literature. It really helps bring the stories to the present. 

The characters are vivid and memorable, and the audio narration (which was great,  as expected) enhanced this, too.

I do think some of the very short stories could’ve been cut (especially in the Metamorphosis part). It all became a bit too fast paced and confusing for me then. 

Overall however I loved this, would definitely recommend, and will definitely read the next book in the series!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Incest, Sexual content, Rape, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy

Minor: Infidelity, Animal death, Cannibalism, Alcoholism, and Kidnapping

majestictrilobite's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Cannibalism, Alcoholism, Rape, War, Animal death, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Incest, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Infidelity, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, Death, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Sexism

annick's review against another edition

adventurous informative lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

I would recommend this as a book and as audiobook. fry has a great pace and style with reading his stories. 

I think it’s best read in small parts. I finished the last third over a few days and I lost interest in the work. Because of this binging. 

I also like how fry highlights the homoerotic and trans representation in the ancient myths. I wish he’d picked up the systemic misogyny and racism
 Laced into the cultures and myths. I recommend Natalie Haynes for addressing the sexism and misogyny in Greek myths. 

I don’t plan to re read this book and there are some things I’d want to change - this is why it’s only four stars.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Sexism, Death, and Kidnapping

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 The Details:
Narrated by author
Unabridged 

What a great retelling of the origins of Greek Mythology. Fantastic storytelling with a background on more than just big players, which I really appreciated.

Fry enraptured with his storytelling and captured the legends perfectly for new learners to myth, and old.

Looking forward to continuing on with this series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Gaslighting, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, War, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Stalking, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Cannibalism, Cursing, Death, Grief, Incest, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship

katkake1's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Best as an audio book narrated by the author 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Violence

yossy_cookie's review

adventurous informative lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was brilliant! A great introduction to Greek mythology, well written and very easy to read. I loved how the book showed how Greek mythology has influenced our language and literature. 

The first quarter was essentially a genealogy of the ancient God's, setting up the Titans and Olympians. It was necessary but definitely slower and read more like a presentation of facts rather than story. 

I found that it got much better after the first quarter.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Grief, Incest, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Slavery, Suicide, Torture, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War