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A review by jess_gately
Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold by Stephen Fry
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.