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76 reviews for:
Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters
Donna Jo Napoli
3.78 AVERAGE
76 reviews for:
Treasury of Greek Mythology: Classic Stories of Gods, Goddesses, Heroes & Monsters
Donna Jo Napoli
3.78 AVERAGE
adventurous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
A quick overview over the most interesting stories in Greek mythology
3.5 - good summary intro to many of the major Greek myths
I love reading Greek or Norse Mythology..such weird times and story..
informative
slow-paced
I’ve always loved Greek mythology so I was hoping this would go more in depth but it was more of a quick notes of mythology than anything. A good, quick read but hoping to find something that really goes into detail.
This was really interesting I recommend reading it.
Beautifully written and illustrated beginners guide to the twelve Olympians and some Greek heroes.
When I started reading this coffee table size book, I enjoyed the structural layout of the book.. There is a good size illustrated page of the individual God/Goddess with blocked text along with more illustrations, either a pattern or a scene. I liked how the book began with Mother Gaia going into the genealogical timeframe. My attention started to wane around the introduction of Zeus's child Athena.
It could be that I should have used this book more as reference to look at one God/Goddess at a time and not as a sit down to read it in one sitting.
I do enjoy reading Mythology and how different perspectives and different ways of telling their story I can always find something to add to my Mythology collection. I enjoyed the first half but it lost my interest in the second half.
I am now nervous to read the Egyptian Mythology for I am more of a beginner in that area, and I don't want to lose interest so early in the New Year. I might use that book as a reference as I study upon that topic.
January Reading Theme: Mythology 2022
It could be that I should have used this book more as reference to look at one God/Goddess at a time and not as a sit down to read it in one sitting.
I do enjoy reading Mythology and how different perspectives and different ways of telling their story I can always find something to add to my Mythology collection. I enjoyed the first half but it lost my interest in the second half.
I am now nervous to read the Egyptian Mythology for I am more of a beginner in that area, and I don't want to lose interest so early in the New Year. I might use that book as a reference as I study upon that topic.
January Reading Theme: Mythology 2022
adventurous
funny
informative
fast-paced
Look, sometimes you just want to listen to stories about myths
medium-paced
Here are some of my incomplete and rambling thoughts about <i>National Geographic's Treasury of Greek Mythology</i>: Some reviewers felt that Napoli is an intrusive author as she casts judgements within the stories; personally, this does not bother me. However, I do think that it should be noted. All authors will cast some bias in the manner that they deliver their retellings, so in a way I feel like Napoli is slightly transparent with her views as the storyteller. The bias I see from her in the stories is a disdain for many of the male gods and their treatment of their female counterparts.
Some revisions of the original stories turned strange, ie. Poseidon falling in love with Medusa and admiring the snakes that were her hair. Also, as several other reviewers pointed out, the writing at times is awkward because it seems like Napoli was more concerned with being poetic with her text then clear.
I adore the artwork in the book and feel that the book offers a decent beginning or supplemental offering of Greek mythology; however, I would not advise one to stop their education on the subject after reading just one source, and particularly not this source as it is limited by design: for the intended audience's age range and the scope of characters and stories it offers.
A small pet peeve of mine is when authors use B.C., would it kill them to be inclusive and use B.C.E.?
I am on the fence about whether I will buy more mythology books from this collection.
Some revisions of the original stories turned strange, ie. Poseidon falling in love with Medusa and admiring the snakes that were her hair. Also, as several other reviewers pointed out, the writing at times is awkward because it seems like Napoli was more concerned with being poetic with her text then clear.
I adore the artwork in the book and feel that the book offers a decent beginning or supplemental offering of Greek mythology; however, I would not advise one to stop their education on the subject after reading just one source, and particularly not this source as it is limited by design: for the intended audience's age range and the scope of characters and stories it offers.
A small pet peeve of mine is when authors use B.C., would it kill them to be inclusive and use B.C.E.?
I am on the fence about whether I will buy more mythology books from this collection.