Greek myths are weird. I don’t get them. I don’t understand why people would want to listen to them and I don’t get a culture who would delight in such tales. Even as I type that, having just read a whole collection of them, I conclude that morbid curiosity would drive one to them.
Published by Chronicle Books, Greek Myths: Tales of Passion, Heroism, and Betrayal is a rather compact little book of various myths. Shoshanna Kirk writes in the introduction that this book is not politically correct nor would it be considered feminist approved. The stories are violent and that violence is frequently directed towards women. (So why DID I read this book!?) Because I was curious. I’ve read a few Greek myths but not very many and I wanted to “browse” some of the stories.
The book opens with Odysseus and the Cyclops and concludes with the story of how Heracles became a god. All of the stories are divided up into sections based on human emotions of the present age (e.g., vanity, deceit, grief and jealousy). There is a handy glossary in the back for easy reference in determining the Who’s Who in Greek Mythology. A map is also included for the ancient Mediterranean. Really, I think this is a marvelous little book for giving the curious student a brief but fairly thorough introduction into the world of Greek Mythology.
My favorite story, (and probably the most benign in the book!), was the story of Midas, which I didn’t realize was an old Greek myth. I had an old picture book of the story of King Midas when I was growing up that I loved to read. In my picture book King Midas turns his daughter into gold before repenting of his greed. Eventually, of course, his daughter comes back to life and Midas is content to live the luxerious life of a king without living in a palace of gold. According to Greek Myths Midas repents and then lives as a hermit in the mountains. I like my picture book better but I enjoyed reading the original myth.
This book is kinda fun. I enjoyed it, even though I thought it gruesome and revolting at times. I don’t pretend to understand the stories and their relevance, but I do recognize they are significant in the world of literature and therefore I support the reading of them and am glad for the opportunity to have satisfied a bit of my curiosity. I would also even like to read more of them. This book is compelling and interesting and makes me want to learn even more. However, I think I’ll take a little break away from them for a time.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
Dawn says
You know, I remember LOVING myths when we had to read them back in school, but I don’t think I’ve read any since college– just not the sort of reading material I flock to these days. Maybe I’ll have to pick one up and read it with adult eyes…
edj says
I was a Lit major so I’ve studied Greek myths. What amazed me most was that this was the religion of the time. None of the “gods” seemed very worthy of worship to me! The same went for Celtic and Nordic mythology as well, which I also studied. I do find myths very interesting, I must admit.
Heather J. says
I hate to disagree, but I always loved Greek myths when I was a kid. 🙂 I thought they were fascinating. I even loved that old movie The Clash of the Titans. One book I had focused on the women, but it was a somewhat revisionist rewriting of the myths. The illustrations were almost comic book like (think “Xena: Warrior Princess”) and the stories themselves always showed how women used their bodies and their minds to get what they wanted, and now always in nice ways. Boy did I love that book!
Inquirer says
I haven’t read this book, but it seems like I have been swimming in the Mediterranean of Greek mythology for a few years now. Take the book you read, tune down the violence and give it to a boy. D’Aulaires Greek myths are wonderful and Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series will get even the most reluctant reader excited about reading. Rosemary Sutcliff’s duo retelling The Illiad and The Odyssey are a little more advanced but are a wonderful way to start kids on the road to loving great literature. The best part is that they don’t even realize they are learning. I haven’t reviewed these yet or I would link to them … but I do have a post about the release of Rick Riordan’s upcoming 5th book in the series and that is where clicking on my name will take you today.