Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Chronicle Books (2020), Edition: Illustrated, 368 pages
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. Mythology. HTML:In this sequel to the bestselling Mythos, legendary author and actor Stephen Fry moves from the exploits of the Olympian gods to the deeds of mortal heroes. Perseus. Jason. Atalanta. Theseus. Heracles. Rediscover the thrills, grandeur, and unabashed fun of the Greek myths. Whether recounting a tender love affair or a heroic triumph, Fry deftly finds resonance with our own modern minds and hearts. Illustrated throughout with classical art inspired by the myths, this gorgeous volume invites you to explore a captivating world with a brilliant storyteller as your guide. �?� Each adventure is infused with Fry's distinctive voice and writing style. �?� Connoisseurs of the Greek myths will appreciate this fresh-yet-reverential interpretation, while newcomers will feel welcome. �?� Retellings brim with humor and emotion. "Mostly Chiron saw in the child, and the young man he became, boundless courage, athleticism, intelligence, and ambition. He saw too lots of words beginning with 'self,' which gave him pause. Self-belief, self-possession, self-righteousness, self-confidence, self-love. Perhaps these characteristics are as necessary to a hero as courage." In Heroes, Fry draws out the humor and pathos in both tender love affairs and heroic battles, and reveals each myth's relevance for our own time. �?� A collector's edition filled with classical art inspired by the myths and a luxe, foil-stamped jacket �?� Perfect gift for mythology and history buffs, lovers of ancient Greece, art aficionados, and devoted fans of Stephen Fry �?� Add it to the shelf with books like Circe by Madeline Miller, Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, and Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member thegeneral
An excellent book by Fry and a fine accompaniment to his previous edition 'Mythos.' I look forward to another edition on the Trojan War. While familiar with a lot of this material Fry tells you the entire story, warts and all, though sanatised in parts in a very readable style.
LibraryThing member brakketh
Just delightful - Fry's dry sense of humour layered over the great stories of mythical Greek heroes. Highly recommend.
LibraryThing member thenumeraltwo
As with Gaiman's Norse Mythology, I suspect I'd have enjoyed this more if I was less familiar with the stories. Fry veers to the too knowing too often and I prefer the (translated) originals that he plunders for this compendium.
LibraryThing member jillrhudy
Like Mythos, Stephen Fry's prior book of retellings of Greek myths, Heroes is simply a joy to read. Familiar myths unfold on the page like live performances, with Fry as a chuckling master of ceremonies, having a better time than anyone. Fry makes his mythological characters alive, flawed, and
Heroic quests are more than a bit iffy, with a fair amount of dumb luck mixed in with the heroes' gallantry and skill.
As in Mythos, Fry treats the reader to a feast of sumptuous and sometimes naughty footnotes with asides, jokes, linguistic lessons (e.g., to be catasterized means to be made a constellation) and much-needed hints about tricky pronunciations. I became reacquainted with these ancient tales and mythical beings with almost the wonder of first meeting them in childhood. I can't be the only reader hoping that Fry continues to reimagine ancient tales.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley and was encouraged to submit an honest review.
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infused with warmth and wit. Gods, demigods, heroes, royals, and supporting characters cavort about capriciously, and readers will be forgiven for not keeping them all straight.Heroic quests are more than a bit iffy, with a fair amount of dumb luck mixed in with the heroes' gallantry and skill.
As in Mythos, Fry treats the reader to a feast of sumptuous and sometimes naughty footnotes with asides, jokes, linguistic lessons (e.g., to be catasterized means to be made a constellation) and much-needed hints about tricky pronunciations. I became reacquainted with these ancient tales and mythical beings with almost the wonder of first meeting them in childhood. I can't be the only reader hoping that Fry continues to reimagine ancient tales.
I received an advanced readers copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley and was encouraged to submit an honest review.
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LibraryThing member Lucky-Loki
The sequel to Fry's "Mythos", this volume covers the demigod heroes populating the Greek myths taking place roughly (to the extent myths have chronology) in the generation(s) between the god myths in the first volume, and the almost-human heroes of the Iliad and Odyssey (which he frequently hints
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of covering in a future book). And it delivers exactly that. Fry's personal voice is still very present in the narration -- which is usually very welcome, if sometimes a bit corny when he can't resist a particularly bad joke here and there -- as he organises the disparate tales into something that feels as near cohesive as these stories possibly can without taking much bigger liberties with the material. Never before have I experienced the stories of Perseus, Herakles, Theseus, Atalanta, Orpheus, Jason, Oedipus and Bellerophon as so interconnected, and in that, I think, is the biggest selling point of this book. You've heard (most) of these stories before, I'll hasard, if you're at all interested in reading the book. They've been around for thousands of years, after all. But reading them in a way that presents them as more or less contemporaries running around the same fairly limited geographical area -- which indeed the source materials tend to back up, as they're all each others cousins, uncles and in-laws -- was a particular joy for me. And Fry's obvious joy at sharing the stories provides a lot of added value in its own right. Show Less
LibraryThing member infjsarah
I enjoyed Mythos but I think I enjoyed this one more. Stories that I vaguely knew but also ones I didn't.
LibraryThing member MickyFine
Stephen Fry continues his retelling of the Greek myths in this second volume, which focuses on the great ancient heroes including, Perseus, Heracles, Atalanta, Orpheus, and Theseus among others. Whether the tales are familiar or not, Fry breathes life into these myths bringing his wry humour and
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endless wit to these epic tales. I listened to this as an audiobook, which I highly recommend. Stephen Fry has impeccable talents as a narrator and while his choice to give various characters British regional accents (for example Perseus has a northern accent while Minos and Ariadne have Scottish accents) may not work for all listeners, I found it delightful. The Acknowledgements note that Heroes is part of a planned trilogy and I eagerly look forward to Fry's planned take on the Trojan War and its aftermath. Highly recommended for fans of Fry and those who enjoy Greek myth. Show Less
LibraryThing member craso
This book is a follow up to Stephen Fry's "Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined". The author retells the stories of the Greek heroes who were tasked with ridding the earth of monsters and evil doers. This volume includes the adventures of Perseus, Heracles, Bellerophon, Orpheus, Jason, Atalanta,
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Oedipus, and Theseus. The way the stores are retold by Fry are a little to modern at times. The author uses modern slang or phrases to make the stories relatable. I found it a bit distracting. Otherwise, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others who enjoy stories from Greek mythology. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookworm12
This is a continuation of Fry's book Mythos. I loved both but with this one, I missed seeing all the rich paintings and details included in the gorgeous print version. Fry reads it himself, which is a complete delight. He tells these well-known tales of Oedipus, Medea, Hercules, Jason and the Argo,
“You see?' said Prometheus. 'It is your fate to be Heracles the hero, burdened with labours, yet it is also your choice. You choose to submit to it. Such is the paradox of living. We willingly accept that we have no will."
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etc but he infuses them with such humor and cheek. It reminds me of Gaiman's Norse Mythology.“You see?' said Prometheus. 'It is your fate to be Heracles the hero, burdened with labours, yet it is also your choice. You choose to submit to it. Such is the paradox of living. We willingly accept that we have no will."
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LibraryThing member froxgirl
Fry's second go at Greet mythology reinterpreted is very good but not great - the first volume, Mythos, has it beat by a mile. Maybe it's because I always found the big and brawny heroes (Perseus, Jason, Heracles, Theseus) to be boring fare, especially since the women in the adventures were so
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peripheral (with the exception of the Amazon Atalanta). Orpheus and Oedipus were not so muscular but much more interesting, due to musical talent and fulfillment of prophecy. But Fry is still a marvel and his clever and informative footnotes are as riveting as the text itself. The classical illustrations enhance the presentation beautifully. Show Less
LibraryThing member murderbydeath
Well, with the lockdowns, it took me not quite 6 months to finish this on audio (I can only listen in the car), but I finally did it. It was, of course, worth every minute, and I’d recommend the audio version to anybody who even wants to like Greek mythology. Especially those who want to like it,
I’ve never been all that interested in the Trojan War, but I’m sorely tempted to check out his version with the next book in this ‘series’.
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but always struggled with the names, and the who begat whoms, and the who married whoms. Fry unapologetically tells the listener to ignore all of that – there won’t be a test at the end – and just enjoy the stories. His narration makes this all the easier, as he’s absolutely brilliant at it, even if the Greeks are speaking with Scottish, English and at one point what I think was a distinctly cockney accent. In fact, the hint of Monty Python in some of the stories made them all the more enjoyable for me, because they made me chuckle.I’ve never been all that interested in the Trojan War, but I’m sorely tempted to check out his version with the next book in this ‘series’.
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LibraryThing member jlford3
Well written as always.
LibraryThing member Daniel_M_Oz
Brings to life the ancient myths in an entertaining manner - his writing approach possibly makes you feel what the ancient Greeks may have felt when they were told the stories, as usually when we have them given to us in the ancient text book manner much is usually lost.
LibraryThing member Iudita
Stephen Fry is a great storyteller and presents these Greek Myths in the most entertaining way. I'm so glad I own this instead of borrowing it because I know I will dip in and out of this many times in the future.
LibraryThing member riida
when i was very young, i remember borrowing (a lot of times without consent) my older sister's copy of Edith Hamilton's Mythology. It was probably the first book I can think of that I have re-read multiple times. My last memory of that book is that it was well worn.
so, naturally, i was drawn to
in this second book, he focuses on the stories of mortal heroes (in the first, he focused mainly on the gods). fry's wit and humor shows through (i even read all the footnotes!). also, this is for me probably the most enjoyable retelling of the stories of Jason (my least liked hero) and Oedipus and Theseus (my favorite heroes).
Read into that what you will ^_^ or maybe dont :p
so, naturally, i was drawn to
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stephen fry's retelling of the greek myths in his Mythos trilogy. it is not as scholarly as hamilton's (by a narrow margin), but is more approachable and readable. in spite of splitting the project into 3 books, it does not feel dense. in this second book, he focuses on the stories of mortal heroes (in the first, he focused mainly on the gods). fry's wit and humor shows through (i even read all the footnotes!). also, this is for me probably the most enjoyable retelling of the stories of Jason (my least liked hero) and Oedipus and Theseus (my favorite heroes).
Read into that what you will ^_^ or maybe dont :p
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LibraryThing member srms.reads
4.5/5
“Myth can be a kind of human algebra which makes it easier to manipulate truths about ourselves. Symbols and rituals are not toys and games to be dispensed with on our arrival at adulthood, they are tools we will always need. They complement our scientific impulse; they do not stand in
In Heroes: The Greek Myths Reimagined, Stephen Fry’s retelling of the timeless tales of the “heroes", we learn about the origins, quests, triumphs and legacies of Perseus, Heracles, Bellerophon, Orpheus, Jason, Oedipus and Atalanta. The stories of Atalanta, the only female among the heroes and that of Bellephoron were completely new for me and I enjoyed them thoroughly. The Labors of Heracles and the story of Jason and the Argonauts were my personal favorites. I particularly enjoyed getting to know more about the mythical creatures the heroes go up against. Stephen Fry’s characteristic humor and wit render this an informative, entertaining and engaging read.
I read the US Hardcover version and I have to say it is a beautiful edition featuring stunning classical artwork inspired by these stories. The author draws from multiple sources and does not fail to mention the different versions of the same story (if and when applicable). Contemporary references inspired by the myths make for interesting reading, as does the author’s distinctive style of storytelling, without digressing too much from the main stories. Though many of these characters and their stories were briefly mentioned in Mythos, in Heroes the author goes into much more detail. The glossary of the characters at the end of the book was very useful for reference because with so many characters and their complicated lineage, it does get a bit confusing in parts.
As I had done while reading Mythos, I paired my reading with the audiobook (narrated by the author himself) which is simply brilliant. The audio experience is immersive and I felt transported to the world of the Greek gods and heroes. Even if you’re not a fan of audiobooks, I would recommend giving Stephen Fry’s narration of his Greek mythology series a try. While I would rate Heroes (the book) a 4 out of 5 ( I’ll admit that I enjoyed Mythos a bit more), the audio version is a solid 5-star experience.
“Myth can be a kind of human algebra which makes it easier to manipulate truths about ourselves. Symbols and rituals are not toys and games to be dispensed with on our arrival at adulthood, they are tools we will always need. They complement our scientific impulse; they do not stand in
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opposition to it.”In Heroes: The Greek Myths Reimagined, Stephen Fry’s retelling of the timeless tales of the “heroes", we learn about the origins, quests, triumphs and legacies of Perseus, Heracles, Bellerophon, Orpheus, Jason, Oedipus and Atalanta. The stories of Atalanta, the only female among the heroes and that of Bellephoron were completely new for me and I enjoyed them thoroughly. The Labors of Heracles and the story of Jason and the Argonauts were my personal favorites. I particularly enjoyed getting to know more about the mythical creatures the heroes go up against. Stephen Fry’s characteristic humor and wit render this an informative, entertaining and engaging read.
I read the US Hardcover version and I have to say it is a beautiful edition featuring stunning classical artwork inspired by these stories. The author draws from multiple sources and does not fail to mention the different versions of the same story (if and when applicable). Contemporary references inspired by the myths make for interesting reading, as does the author’s distinctive style of storytelling, without digressing too much from the main stories. Though many of these characters and their stories were briefly mentioned in Mythos, in Heroes the author goes into much more detail. The glossary of the characters at the end of the book was very useful for reference because with so many characters and their complicated lineage, it does get a bit confusing in parts.
As I had done while reading Mythos, I paired my reading with the audiobook (narrated by the author himself) which is simply brilliant. The audio experience is immersive and I felt transported to the world of the Greek gods and heroes. Even if you’re not a fan of audiobooks, I would recommend giving Stephen Fry’s narration of his Greek mythology series a try. While I would rate Heroes (the book) a 4 out of 5 ( I’ll admit that I enjoyed Mythos a bit more), the audio version is a solid 5-star experience.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2018-10-29
Physical description
368 p.; 9.65 inches
ISBN
1797201867 / 9781797201863