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chandranolynne's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
slow-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
4.0
I bought this while sightseeing in Rome a couple of years ago because, well, when in Rome, I suppose. I thought I would read it when I got home, but the longer I was away from the culture the less it interested me until I sort of just forgot it existed.
It was really good! I really only know mythology from the little bits they taught in school, which were super toned down for obvious reasons. It was neat to read the less PG versions of the stories. The author also pulls from SO many different sources and you often get three of four versions of the same stories and it was fun to see where and how they differ. If you have any interest in mythology at all, this is a great read.
jeanmcdonald's review
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? N/A
4.0
unwrappingwords's review
5.0
A comprehensive guide to the myths of Greece and Rome; easily accessible, enjoyable to read, and one that delves into the tales of heroes such as Jason, Hercules and Achilles, as well as exploring the myths that surround the heroes of the Ancient World. This book takes the reader from the creation of the world up until the founding of Rome, with plenty in-between, and introduces unfamiliar stories alongside the most well known. The way its written makes it easy to lose yourself in the book, and the layout of it makes it relatively easy to follow, as each section flows into the next.
piaspages's review
4.0
Really nice overview into Greek mythology that gave quotes of original texts which were very poetic and something I wouldn't have thought to look into. Occasionally, it got very long winded with little direction but I guess that's Greek mythology ha!
mindsplinters's review
4.0
Does what says on tin. Very thorough, very clear, logically organized... Those crazy Greeks (and Romans)!
jenntheobold's review
5.0
'Once again Zeus was full of wrath, so he decided to balance this blessing of fire by giving men a bane to plague their lives: women, a beautiful evil.'
imogenspages's review
4.0
Really nice overview into Greek mythology that gave quotes of original texts which were very poetic and something I wouldn't have thought to look into. Occasionally, it got very long winded with little direction but I guess that's Greek mythology ha!
katietmcn's review
informative
reflective
slow-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? N/A
4.0
Glad to have finally finished this after 2 and a half years of sporadic reading.
Overall this is a very comprehensive guide to the classics. Within 500 pages it travels from the family tree of the gods through to a thorough analysis of the Trojan war, odyssey, and Aeneid plus more. I enjoyed the references included as it would allow me to accurately follow along the original texts as well as this guide. It even included references that modern authors such as Shakespeare took from the classics and applied to their works.
I deducted the one star simply because at times it was tedious to read. I found Stephen Fry’s adaptation of the classical myths much more approachable and would suit a beginner to the classics better. As I had studied classical studies in school and had read the odyssey, Aeneid, etc I didn’t find those particular summaries as interesting as the rest of the book.
If you are into Greek mythology and want to read more academic-focused work then I recommend this but if you’d rather stick to a more simply synopsis then I would go with Stephen Fry’s books!
Overall this is a very comprehensive guide to the classics. Within 500 pages it travels from the family tree of the gods through to a thorough analysis of the Trojan war, odyssey, and Aeneid plus more. I enjoyed the references included as it would allow me to accurately follow along the original texts as well as this guide. It even included references that modern authors such as Shakespeare took from the classics and applied to their works.
I deducted the one star simply because at times it was tedious to read. I found Stephen Fry’s adaptation of the classical myths much more approachable and would suit a beginner to the classics better. As I had studied classical studies in school and had read the odyssey, Aeneid, etc I didn’t find those particular summaries as interesting as the rest of the book.
If you are into Greek mythology and want to read more academic-focused work then I recommend this but if you’d rather stick to a more simply synopsis then I would go with Stephen Fry’s books!