Mythos Review

Title: Mythos
Author: Stephen Fry
Series: Not Applicable
Publisher: Michael Joseph
Publication Date: 02 November 2017
Source: Penguin Random House South Africa
Format: Paperback
Pages: 432
Rating: 3 Stars
Reading Timeline: 08 February 2018 - 09 February 2018










Goodreads Synopsis:

The Greek myths are the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney.


They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. In Stephen Fry's hands the stories of the titans and gods become a brilliantly entertaining account of ribaldry and revelry, warfare and worship, debauchery, love affairs and life lessons, slayings and suicides, triumphs and tragedies.



You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis.



Book Review:
Pre-Reading Thoughts:

I am a huge sucker for Greek mythology. It is one of my favourite eras in history. I was so excited to hear that Stephen Fry was writing a retelling of the myths. I alway enjoy hearing different perspectives on the various myths. I am so excited to jump into this book!

Thank you so much to Penguin Random House South Africa for providing me with a copy of this book! Just a small disclaimer for those reading this review. I have received this book in exchange for an honest review. Please note that this does not affect my opinion in any way. All thoughts are my own.

Writing Thoughts:

I found the writing to be a little dense. It took me a while to get into and find the pacing of the novel. There were definitely some comedic elements present in the actual writing but I had expected more of it. The book read a lot like a textbook of sorts, instead of something light and fun with a hint of education which I had originally expected. 

Plot Thoughts:

As mentioned this book was like a literal textbook. It was full of academic research, which I commend Stephen Fry on, but I was hoping that he would put more of his own spin of the traditional Greek History. It is definitely possible that I mistook Stephen Fry's intention of what this book was supposed to be. The comedic elements only truly revealed themselves in the dialogue which wasn't actually often.

Final Thoughts:

Overall despite everything, I ended up somewhat enjoying what I read. It was an educational book that allowed me to have more depth into Greek Mythology. The writing was formal and not as loose as I had thought it would be. The plot felt like a constant blur. It is definitely one of those books that you need to read over a couple of weeks or a long period of time so that you can truly absorb the information. At the end of the day, I thought that this book was okay. Thank you so much to Penguin Random House South Africa for sending me a copy of this book

Yours in Reading,

Melleny

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