Stephen Fry’s tone oozes from this book and if you’re not a fan it can be a little grating. In retelling the classical Greek stories he takes creative liberties which don’t just stop at dialogue but also interwoven thoughts and options about the events being retold. The tone is generally humorous, a little irreverent and for the most part digestible, but it can at times feel a little cocky.
Mythos however does a great job compiling these ancient stories and works best when the stories themselves are meaty enough to stand on their own. The weakest parts are certainly the start where we are introduced to a flurry of characters and their insane connections.
There was a lot here I was familiar with, a lot more I was not, however the beauty of these classic tales is not just their imagination and inventiveness in explaining the world around us, but also the lessons seemingly applicable to understanding people. The Gods are fallible and their asymmetric powers allow for extreme behaviors we are all capable of to different degrees – it’s a study of what people can do if they could do anything, although few I’m sure would imagine turning someone into a tree!
The birth of music, wine, honey, love and humanity itself is revealed in these ancient Greek tales and although I’ve now read through them once, I’m sure I’ll pick up Mythos again!
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