Stephen Fry: Mythos (Spanish language, 2020, Editorial Anagrama S.A.)
448 pages
Spanish language
Published April 5, 2020 by Editorial Anagrama S.A..
A fun and brilliant way to look at the Gods in Greek mythology
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The whole panoply of Greek mythology retold in Fry’s inimitable voice. I hadn’t realized that the whole bunch of gods, godesses, demigods, nymphs, and naiads were such a petty, jealous, vindictive lot.
Nice retelling of the Greek Myths. I highly appreciate the lighthearted interpretation by Stephen Fry and his brilliant reading of the audio book.
Since I'm German, I grew up with the version by Gustav Schwab, which was by far more traditional and contained much less gay love as far as I remember.
I really recommend it.
A spritely & amusing contemporary retelling of the Greek myths. Starts cohesively but unravels into disjointed repetition. The gods were the best & worst of humanity - especially in lust & spite!
Reading time 14 days, 29 pages/day
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Wonderful book, Fry is a great narrator. It's never boring - on the contrary, quite funny and it is aimed at anyone. It proceeds in short chapters which make the information very digestible, and I particularly liked the linguistic/etymological excursus.
Very well written. Fry does a great job of weaving the crazy stories into something more palpable. It does take a dip about 2/3rds of the way through, but other than that it's pretty good.
(Audiobook) Very entertaining and comprehensible dive-in into a lot of ancient greek myths
There must be a trait, possibly genetic, that endows people with the ability to memorize (and care about) the most absurd trivia: names and relationships and who-said-what-to-whom. It's probably the same trait that makes people know and care about Prophet This and Saint That and Verse Mumble in the judeochristimuslim pantheon. Thank FSM that I didn't inherit that.
Mythos was fun, mostly, but sooooo mind-numbing. So many characters and stories and interweavings among them: Fry's most common phrase was "you may recall" or "as you'll no doubt remember" in reference to some name or another, always with helpful hints of when we had last seen them, which for the most part flew way over my head. Yeah, I vaguely remember some god getting angry/horny/confused and turning some other mortal into a pig/swan/heffalump, but by halfway through they all blur together and by the end I just wanted it over with. …
There must be a trait, possibly genetic, that endows people with the ability to memorize (and care about) the most absurd trivia: names and relationships and who-said-what-to-whom. It's probably the same trait that makes people know and care about Prophet This and Saint That and Verse Mumble in the judeochristimuslim pantheon. Thank FSM that I didn't inherit that.
Mythos was fun, mostly, but sooooo mind-numbing. So many characters and stories and interweavings among them: Fry's most common phrase was "you may recall" or "as you'll no doubt remember" in reference to some name or another, always with helpful hints of when we had last seen them, which for the most part flew way over my head. Yeah, I vaguely remember some god getting angry/horny/confused and turning some other mortal into a pig/swan/heffalump, but by halfway through they all blur together and by the end I just wanted it over with. Fry writes with a joyful flippancy, occasional snark, and that kept me going; but really, the gods and demigods and pretty much almost everyone in the tales are garbage. Petty, vindictive, shallow, immature, immoral, whiny, petulant snots. (I know, I know. I've said this before, most recently in my review of [b:Circe|39800116|Circe|Madeline Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1523427322l/39800116.SY75.jpg|53043399]. I really should learn not to read any more about Greek gods).
I mean, it was enjoyable, and Fry's retelling made me grin often, but at the end of the day I'm no different than before reading. I will not remember any of the stories, nor the difference between a Titan and a God or any of the other confusing offspring. I like to retain something from what I've read, like to grow or change or think, and I just don't see that happening as a result of this book. (Much like the perpetually sophomoric gods themselves, I suppose).
A chronological retelling (as best as anyone can) of the origins of the Greek gods and life in the Golden Age, with modern dialogue and British colloquialisms. Fry's narration is excellent.
The etymology alone was fascinating, as were the Greek stories to explain how different parts of the world were formed, how phenomenons like echoes were created, and how different animals and insects came to be.
Be aware that every story had some form of murder, adultery, rape, incest, sodomy, pedophilia, bestiality, brutal vengeance, torture, lying and thievery, eternal suffering, etc. That's how Greek myth goes, but I found it draining. The few trips to the underworld with Hades or Thanatos were actually the most wholesome, and like two characters just doing an honest day’s work.
Stephen Fry's audiobook is a delight to listen to, but particularly the early parts of the book are a bit of a chore, as the myths are less story and more a string of facts.
Read it the first time and listened to it for my second reading, he is such a delightful storyteller. The footnotes of the book become these charming asides that Stephen delivers with genuine pleasure.
Love these stories, looking forward to experiencing them again soon.
