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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
Thank you Stephen Fry.
I am so glad he started the retelling of all these Greek stories. I loved Mythos, I devoured Heroes and Troy was great as well. I read the Illiad and Odyssey once and I liked them, but Fry brings the story into the 21st century and I just love his personal flair and remarks.
I also read Achilles last year, but this book gives a (less romantic) broader perspective to the whole field of play. It is a good base to start from, I might re read some other stories that take place in Greek times because I now have a better idea of who did what and when. Because that is the thing with Greek stories, they are all intertwined. You can read about 1 hero, but he will encounter another person who has a godly father or mother, or grandfather. It gets complicated rather quickly. If you ever feel overwhelmed, start with Fry his work on Greek Mythology. You will have a laugh and a better understanding.
I am so glad he started the retelling of all these Greek stories. I loved Mythos, I devoured Heroes and Troy was great as well. I read the Illiad and Odyssey once and I liked them, but Fry brings the story into the 21st century and I just love his personal flair and remarks.
I also read Achilles last year, but this book gives a (less romantic) broader perspective to the whole field of play. It is a good base to start from, I might re read some other stories that take place in Greek times because I now have a better idea of who did what and when. Because that is the thing with Greek stories, they are all intertwined. You can read about 1 hero, but he will encounter another person who has a godly father or mother, or grandfather. It gets complicated rather quickly. If you ever feel overwhelmed, start with Fry his work on Greek Mythology. You will have a laugh and a better understanding.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A recount of the war for Troy and Greek mythology for the modern reader. The writer’s style was humorous, easy to follow, and concise. I highly recommend if there is any interest in the subject. However, Fry is so insistent on detailing nearly every small name and bloodline that I often felt lost (thanks for the index!) and had difficulty emotionally investing in it’s large cast, save perhaps Hellen.
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Stephen Fry’s Mythology books are awesome and truly interesting. But in this one I feel all of the “side quests” during and leading up to the battle for Troy (and sure, that war took YEARS) were sometimes a bit too much. Like there were so many adventures and happenings outside of the “official” battle for Troy that you could write another book about those alone.
But otherwise, a great read!
But otherwise, a great read!
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
After reading homer and loving the Iliad and Odyssey... this was a great retelling of Troy and Trojan war that put together all the missing pieces from how the poetic narratives do flashbacks and reference pieces without back story. Good complement to Song of Achilles too.. I didn't think it overlapped in a way to be repetitive. Preferred this book to Heroes.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stephen fry truly makes Greek mythology accessible. Not trying to be Madeline Miller in prose and style, this is more an overview of allll Troy with helpful context for modernity. Great if you wish you knew more details than what something like Song of Achilles provides
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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