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quynh_ngyn's review against another edition
4.0
Will definitely reread as I probably did not catch all the details. The book is written beautifully and is not boring at all.
booksonawednesday's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Having read a lot of Greek mythology books, I would strongly recommend this one to anyone reading the genre for the first time.
Stephen Fry covers a range of stories, starting from the birth of the Gods and the creation of mankind, to the mortal king Midas and his gold touch.
In any Greek mythology story, there is an abundance of names, creatures and genealogical connections, to the point that it’s almost always confusing. Despite the vast cast of characters and stories told, Stephen Fry has an amazing ability to make it all readily comprehensible.
Even though I’ve read many different Greek myths now, I still learned something new, and I was entertained by his engaging storytelling. He had a fantastic knack of bringing the Greek gods to a relatable, human level.
Unsurprisingly, Stephen Fry’s narration was also amazing. I would thoroughly recommend the audiobook, and I’ll try and listen to his later books as well.
Stephen Fry covers a range of stories, starting from the birth of the Gods and the creation of mankind, to the mortal king Midas and his gold touch.
In any Greek mythology story, there is an abundance of names, creatures and genealogical connections, to the point that it’s almost always confusing. Despite the vast cast of characters and stories told, Stephen Fry has an amazing ability to make it all readily comprehensible.
Even though I’ve read many different Greek myths now, I still learned something new, and I was entertained by his engaging storytelling. He had a fantastic knack of bringing the Greek gods to a relatable, human level.
Unsurprisingly, Stephen Fry’s narration was also amazing. I would thoroughly recommend the audiobook, and I’ll try and listen to his later books as well.
izzymunford's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bvngtve's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
inspiring
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
laurabrbt's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ollyo's review against another edition
funny
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jess_gately's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I find Greek mythology fascinating and as far as an introduction goes, this book is a good introduction.
It’s at its best when it’s linking Greek mythology to the present day and how it still exists in language, names and concepts.
I listened to it as an audiobook which helped with the many names which I think I would have otherwise found confusing if I was reading it on the page.
However, Stephen Fry’s narration is boring and cringy at times. While all the male characters get interesting voices, all the women in the stories are reduced to whining, hysterical and high-pitched with little to no nuance - and that goes for the actual writing too. I know some people will say it’s a result of the source material, but it feels like all the women in these stories are simply stupid and/or cruel. As a fan of Greek mythology, I feel like a lot of the nuance of the female characters was lost in favour of “a joke”.
So maybe a good starting point if you don’t know much about Greek mythology but beware of the fairly one-dimensional female characters.
It’s at its best when it’s linking Greek mythology to the present day and how it still exists in language, names and concepts.
I listened to it as an audiobook which helped with the many names which I think I would have otherwise found confusing if I was reading it on the page.
However, Stephen Fry’s narration is boring and cringy at times. While all the male characters get interesting voices, all the women in the stories are reduced to whining, hysterical and high-pitched with little to no nuance - and that goes for the actual writing too. I know some people will say it’s a result of the source material, but it feels like all the women in these stories are simply stupid and/or cruel. As a fan of Greek mythology, I feel like a lot of the nuance of the female characters was lost in favour of “a joke”.
So maybe a good starting point if you don’t know much about Greek mythology but beware of the fairly one-dimensional female characters.
probablypenelope's review against another edition
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75