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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
dark
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this book is perfection.
it's funny and sad and so easy to read even though there's so much going on. stephen fry holds your hand while you navigate through the complicated storylines of the characters involved in the siege of troy.
as someone who finds classic greek mythology extremely overwhelming, this book was perfect to understand the intricacies of the trojan war.
ps. from now on, stephen fry is my grandfather and no one is allowed to disagree.
it's funny and sad and so easy to read even though there's so much going on. stephen fry holds your hand while you navigate through the complicated storylines of the characters involved in the siege of troy.
as someone who finds classic greek mythology extremely overwhelming, this book was perfect to understand the intricacies of the trojan war.
ps. from now on, stephen fry is my grandfather and no one is allowed to disagree.
This is the absolutely most phenomenal, detailed yet approachable collection of Greek Mythology I have ever had the joy of listening to. Stephen Fry has THE gift of lyrical oral story telling! I could listen to him all day long and multiple times, I actually did!
Greek Mythology as a subject is joyful, depressing, hilarious, morbid, and most importantly- Weird as FUCK.
Greek Mythology as a subject is joyful, depressing, hilarious, morbid, and most importantly- Weird as FUCK.
I’ve heard of better written versions, but I don’t think I’ve heard a better retelling of this well-known tale. Stephen Fry’s vocal work in the audiobook is sublime, and made this one of my favorite audiobooks of this year.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another compelling retelling of some well known (and not so well known) myths and legends, this time, centred around the stories of Troy. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two: Mythos and Heroes and this was a great addition to the trilogy.
Stephen Fry has such an effortless, easy and enthralling way of telling stories and he can take the most uninteresting things and turn them into gold. I’ve really loved reading these stories and could honestly read them forever. They’re something I will read and reread in the future, as there’s just so much information, it warrants a future recap to take more in the second time round.
I listened to the audiobook which, true to Stephen Fry, was absolutely brilliant, wonderfully acted and really brought the story to life. I hope he goes into other myths, gods and retellings in the future. I’d love to read stories on Norse mythology, Egyptian etc.. from him as he’d be sure to do great things and make some fab books and stories out of them. Need more!
Stephen Fry has such an effortless, easy and enthralling way of telling stories and he can take the most uninteresting things and turn them into gold. I’ve really loved reading these stories and could honestly read them forever. They’re something I will read and reread in the future, as there’s just so much information, it warrants a future recap to take more in the second time round.
I listened to the audiobook which, true to Stephen Fry, was absolutely brilliant, wonderfully acted and really brought the story to life. I hope he goes into other myths, gods and retellings in the future. I’d love to read stories on Norse mythology, Egyptian etc.. from him as he’d be sure to do great things and make some fab books and stories out of them. Need more!
⁸(English below)
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
Bezing, godin, de wrok van Peleus' zoon, Achilles.
Nooit hebben Griekse woorden die ik in het middelbaar moest vertalen meer indruk gemaakt dan deze. Met dank aan meneer Van Halewijck, bijna 2 meter pure Grieks-Romeinse passie, die deze woorden vol vuur in het oud-Grieks stond te declameren vooraan in de klas.
Het was ook een spannende tijd. Eindelijk mochten we aan de Ilias en de Odyssee beginnen in de lessen Grieks. Iets waar ik zo ontzettend naar uitkeek, na in de lessen Latijn al geproefd te hebben van Ovidius. Maar dit, dit was het echte werk.
De helmboswuivende Hector werd in de wereld van meneer van Halewijck een betrokken, liefhebbende vader die op dramatische wijze afscheid nam van Scamandertje (babyzoon Astyanax) en zijn vrouw Andromache. Hera met de blanke armen die kwam er eerder negatief uit. Priamus werd een oud kranig ventje die zijn stad met alles wat hij in zich had verdedigde. Paris een windhaan. Achilles en Patrokles de beste vrienden die je je kon voorstellen. Odysseus een bewonderenswaardige deugniet.
Om maar te zeggen, ik keek uit naar dit boek.
Het stelde niet teleur. Fry schrijf levendig, grappig en gevat. Hij beeldt zich conversaties in zoals ze zich in mijn hoofd zouden kunnen ontspinnen. De personages krijgen heel wat lagen en hij maakt duidelijke keuzes in verhaallijnen waar professoren nog over discussiëren.
Het is meer van hetzelfde als in Mythos en Heroes, maar dat is niet erg. Ik begon vurig te hopen dat Patrokles zou blijven leven, dat Cassandra die steevast briljant genegeerd wordt door de anderen, gehoord zou worden, dat Odysseus niet betrapt zou worden... En ik weet wel degelijk hoe het verhaal loopt.
Ik waande me weer in Mykene, Pylos en Sparta met de collega's van mijn man, minstens even doordrongen van de Grieks-Romeinse passie als meneer Van Halewijck. Ze toondene ons Agamemnon in Mykene, Leonidas in Sparta... Kortom, dit boek was niet alleen bijzonder prettig om te lezen, maar ook een bijzonder fijne trip down memorylane.
Boek 1 van de Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book set mostly or entirely outdoors.
------------
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
Sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son
Never have Greek words that I had to translate in high school impressed more than these. Thanks to Mr. Van Halewijck, almost 2 meters of pure Greco-Roman passion, who was chanting these words in ancient Greek, with fervor, in front of our class.
It was also an exciting time. Finally we were going to translate the Iliad and the Odyssey in our Greek classes. Something I was looking forward to , after having already gotten a taste of Ovid in our Latin classes. But this, this was the real deal for me.
In Mr. van Halewijck's world, Hector in his famous shiny helmet became a committed, loving father who said goodbye to little Scamander (baby son Astyanax) and his wife Andromache in the most dramatic way. Hera with the white arms wasn't exactly a favourite of his. Priam became an old brave little fellow who defended his city with everything he had in him. Paris became a weather vane. Achilles and Patrokles the best friends you could imagine. Odysseus an admirable rascal.
Let's say I was looking forward to this book.
It did not disappoint. Fry writes lively, funny and witty. He imagines conversations in a way they might develop in my head too. The characters are multi-layered and Fry makes clear choices in storylines that professors are still discussing.
It's more of the same as Mythos and Heroes, but that's okay. I started rooting for Patrokles to stay alive, I hoped that Cassandra, who is consistently brilliantly ignored by the others, would be heard, that Odysseus would not be caught ... And I do know how the story goes.
I imagined myself again in Mykene, Pylos and Sparta with my husband's colleagues, who nare at least as passionate about the Greco-Roman era as Mr Van Halewijck. They showed us Agamemnon in Mycenae, Leonidas in Sparta ... In short, this book was not only very pleasant to read, but also a very nice trip down memory lane.
Popsugar Reading Challenge Book 1: A book set mostly or entirely outdoors
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
Bezing, godin, de wrok van Peleus' zoon, Achilles.
Nooit hebben Griekse woorden die ik in het middelbaar moest vertalen meer indruk gemaakt dan deze. Met dank aan meneer Van Halewijck, bijna 2 meter pure Grieks-Romeinse passie, die deze woorden vol vuur in het oud-Grieks stond te declameren vooraan in de klas.
Het was ook een spannende tijd. Eindelijk mochten we aan de Ilias en de Odyssee beginnen in de lessen Grieks. Iets waar ik zo ontzettend naar uitkeek, na in de lessen Latijn al geproefd te hebben van Ovidius. Maar dit, dit was het echte werk.
De helmboswuivende Hector werd in de wereld van meneer van Halewijck een betrokken, liefhebbende vader die op dramatische wijze afscheid nam van Scamandertje (babyzoon Astyanax) en zijn vrouw Andromache. Hera met de blanke armen die kwam er eerder negatief uit. Priamus werd een oud kranig ventje die zijn stad met alles wat hij in zich had verdedigde. Paris een windhaan. Achilles en Patrokles de beste vrienden die je je kon voorstellen. Odysseus een bewonderenswaardige deugniet.
Om maar te zeggen, ik keek uit naar dit boek.
Het stelde niet teleur. Fry schrijf levendig, grappig en gevat. Hij beeldt zich conversaties in zoals ze zich in mijn hoofd zouden kunnen ontspinnen. De personages krijgen heel wat lagen en hij maakt duidelijke keuzes in verhaallijnen waar professoren nog over discussiëren.
Het is meer van hetzelfde als in Mythos en Heroes, maar dat is niet erg. Ik begon vurig te hopen dat Patrokles zou blijven leven, dat Cassandra die steevast briljant genegeerd wordt door de anderen, gehoord zou worden, dat Odysseus niet betrapt zou worden... En ik weet wel degelijk hoe het verhaal loopt.
Ik waande me weer in Mykene, Pylos en Sparta met de collega's van mijn man, minstens even doordrongen van de Grieks-Romeinse passie als meneer Van Halewijck. Ze toondene ons Agamemnon in Mykene, Leonidas in Sparta... Kortom, dit boek was niet alleen bijzonder prettig om te lezen, maar ook een bijzonder fijne trip down memorylane.
Boek 1 van de Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book set mostly or entirely outdoors.
------------
μῆνιν ἄειδε θεὰ Πηληϊάδεω Ἀχιλῆος
Sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles, Peleus' son
Never have Greek words that I had to translate in high school impressed more than these. Thanks to Mr. Van Halewijck, almost 2 meters of pure Greco-Roman passion, who was chanting these words in ancient Greek, with fervor, in front of our class.
It was also an exciting time. Finally we were going to translate the Iliad and the Odyssey in our Greek classes. Something I was looking forward to , after having already gotten a taste of Ovid in our Latin classes. But this, this was the real deal for me.
In Mr. van Halewijck's world, Hector in his famous shiny helmet became a committed, loving father who said goodbye to little Scamander (baby son Astyanax) and his wife Andromache in the most dramatic way. Hera with the white arms wasn't exactly a favourite of his. Priam became an old brave little fellow who defended his city with everything he had in him. Paris became a weather vane. Achilles and Patrokles the best friends you could imagine. Odysseus an admirable rascal.
Let's say I was looking forward to this book.
It did not disappoint. Fry writes lively, funny and witty. He imagines conversations in a way they might develop in my head too. The characters are multi-layered and Fry makes clear choices in storylines that professors are still discussing.
It's more of the same as Mythos and Heroes, but that's okay. I started rooting for Patrokles to stay alive, I hoped that Cassandra, who is consistently brilliantly ignored by the others, would be heard, that Odysseus would not be caught ... And I do know how the story goes.
I imagined myself again in Mykene, Pylos and Sparta with my husband's colleagues, who nare at least as passionate about the Greco-Roman era as Mr Van Halewijck. They showed us Agamemnon in Mycenae, Leonidas in Sparta ... In short, this book was not only very pleasant to read, but also a very nice trip down memory lane.
Popsugar Reading Challenge Book 1: A book set mostly or entirely outdoors
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to give this book 5 stars, and the only reason I’m not going to is because I’d feel guilty about rating Troy at the same level as I would Homer’s Iliad. There, I said it. One star less because I can’t do half stars, quarter stars, or infinitesimal-parts-of-stars.
Fry weaves an absolutely compelling narrative from the tangled silken skeins that we have come to know as the many tales of the fall of Troy, with the Iliad at its heart.
In the process things inevitably get lost in translation, in editorial choices, and in narrative style. Those who are looking for a faithful translation of Homer’s work are better off looking elsewhere, because Fry’s Troy is many things - but not that.
Fry’s Troy is what’s left after careful untangling, analysis, and reassembly. It’s a masterpiece that captures every bit as much of what makes Homer’s Iliad so compelling 3200 years after the Trojan War: the humanity, the characterisations, the scope encompassing everything from the minutest detail to the divine, and beyond all of it... the great mystery of myth versus history.
All of that, with a dash of Fry’s commentary in his own familiar and unique style. So if you’re looking for a fast-paced, witty, and (dare I say?) epic re-telling of a story that has captured humanity’s collective imagination for millennia - look no further than Troy.
4.99999999999999(etc.) stars because I couldn’t bring myself to put it at the exact same level as the great classic that ultimately gave a reason for this book to exist in the first place.
Why are you still reading this review? Go read Troy!
Fry weaves an absolutely compelling narrative from the tangled silken skeins that we have come to know as the many tales of the fall of Troy, with the Iliad at its heart.
In the process things inevitably get lost in translation, in editorial choices, and in narrative style. Those who are looking for a faithful translation of Homer’s work are better off looking elsewhere, because Fry’s Troy is many things - but not that.
Fry’s Troy is what’s left after careful untangling, analysis, and reassembly. It’s a masterpiece that captures every bit as much of what makes Homer’s Iliad so compelling 3200 years after the Trojan War: the humanity, the characterisations, the scope encompassing everything from the minutest detail to the divine, and beyond all of it... the great mystery of myth versus history.
All of that, with a dash of Fry’s commentary in his own familiar and unique style. So if you’re looking for a fast-paced, witty, and (dare I say?) epic re-telling of a story that has captured humanity’s collective imagination for millennia - look no further than Troy.
4.99999999999999(etc.) stars because I couldn’t bring myself to put it at the exact same level as the great classic that ultimately gave a reason for this book to exist in the first place.
Why are you still reading this review? Go read Troy!