Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Airmont (1966), Edition: Unabridged, Paperback, 159 pages
Description
Adaptations of Greek myths: The Gorgon's Head, The Golden Touch, The Paradise of Children, The Three Golden Apples, The Miraculous Pitcher, and The Chimaera.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Treeseed
This affordably priced quality paperback edition of familiar tales from Greek mythology is truly a treasure and a wonderful way to enjoy these timeless stories or to introduce them to young people. One of America's greatest writers, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote these versions of stories about Pandora,
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Medusa, Hercules, King Midas and the host of gods and goddesses that make up the Greek pantheon. The language is evocative and colorful yet easily understandable. You needn't worry if your high school teacher's assigned reading of "The Scarlet Letter" bored you to tears, as this collection of stories is filled with exciting adventures and vivid characters. I love the beautiful illustrations in this book. They were done by Walter Crane, one of the most popular illustrators of children's books in the late 19th century. The paintings are in the Pre-Raphaelite style in full color. The decorations at the beginning of each chapter are filled with Victorian charm and make this new editon seem like a well-loved antique. There are many excellent anthologies of the Greek myths on the market but rarely will you find one that utilizes such substantial talents as those employed by Hawthorne and Crane or that so thoroughly draw the reader in to the romantic and turbulent world of heroes, maidens and the capricious deities who stir their fates. I highly recommend this book. It is a classic that will enrich the mind and heart of a young reader and open the way for further discovery. Show Less
LibraryThing member momma2
Review by Blake: Ehh, it was ok. It didn't have as much action and adventure as I expected.
LibraryThing member gordonkeller
Because I have one of the earliest editions(pre-1899) and not printed on acid free paper...there are no illustrations. I don't need them. Hawthorne's word pictures are quite enough for me. Adventure? (momma2) "Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected
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in his shield. The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow." Thanks to educatingpetunia for a wonderful review and to treeseed for recognizing the "wonder" in this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member ulindsay
This is a great book. It appears to be long and tedious if you judge it by the cover, but the text inside is large and the language is easily accessible. The pictures, which there are not a lot of, are beautiful and ornate. They definitely speak to an older time. This book would be really great in
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the classroom to help teach kids about some of the classic mythology that is out there. I enjoyed it. There are several themes since there are more than one story, but each has its own valuable lesson. Show Less
LibraryThing member gmillar
This is book number 15 of the Kings Treasuries of Literature Series.
LibraryThing member JBarringer
Seems like it would be a waste of time even for a kid. There are far better children's story collections than this one.
LibraryThing member PattyHoward
This is the perfect book for students who love the Percy Jackson books, want more Greek Mythology (told in fleshed-out, lyrical stories) and are capable of more complex writing. I read this to my kids after we read the Lightning Thief. Despite the fact that Hawthorne's language isn't easy, I think
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they liked these stories almost more than they liked Riordan. Definitely for stronger readers, though! Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1851
1913
Physical description
159 p.; 6.9 inches
ISBN
080490118X / 9780804901185
Local notes
Airmont Classics