Book 184 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

So, my first time reading it, I didn't read these in order.. cos i didn't have the books in order.

This time, I made sure I did it right.

His passion for the subject, his genius, his wit, and his ability to interrelate other key figures who incorporated *cough* elements of these myths into their stories.

Standing ovation.. based on what I have read, i.e., all the books so far, I am positive the next one ODYSSEY (HINT HINT @TIMES.READS @DEFINITELYBOOKS is going to be spectacular.

I hope he will write about norse mythology next.. he is so brilliant... and reading and listening to him read to you.. perfection...

The illustrations are gorgeous, too. Admittedly, I thought it was going to be a graphic novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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A really cool reimagining of greek mythology. While I was hoping there would be more graphic novel aspects the story is mainly text with minor illustration.

As someone interested in getting more into Greek Mythology, this was a perfect introductory resource without being too overwhelming. I enjoyed how Fry presented each story, including adding a bits of humor throughout. I'm not sure how much someone who's well-versed in these myths would get out of this, since there were some stories that I was already familiar with myself, but I would say this is perfect for newbies like myself. This editition also features beautiful illustrations throughout.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Mythos: The Illustrated Edition by Stephen Fry is a breathtaking reimagining of the Greek myths, brought to life with stunning illustrations that enhance Fry’s already captivating storytelling. This deluxe edition is a feast for both the eyes and the mind, making it a must-have for fans of mythology and art alike.

Stephen Fry’s retelling of the Greek myths is both accessible and engaging, blending his signature wit with a deep respect for the original tales. He takes readers on a journey from the creation of the cosmos to the adventures of gods, heroes, and mortals, infusing each story with humor and insight. Fry’s narrative voice is warm and inviting, making these ancient stories feel fresh and relevant.

The illustrations in Mythos: The Illustrated Edition are nothing short of spectacular. Each page is adorned with vibrant, detailed artwork that brings the characters and settings to life. From the majestic heights of Mount Olympus to the eerie depths of the Underworld, the illustrations capture the grandeur and drama of the myths.

One of the stellar features of this edition is its ability to appeal to both newcomers and seasoned mythology enthusiasts. Fry’s retellings are clear and concise, making the complex web of Greek mythology easy to understand. At the same time, his nuanced interpretations and the rich illustrations offer new insights and perspectives for those already familiar with the myths.

Fry’s approach to the myths is both reverent and playful. He respects the source material while also injecting his own personality into the stories. This balance makes Mythos: The Illustrated Edition a joy to read, whether you’re encountering these tales for the first time or revisiting them with fresh eyes. The book is filled with memorable moments, from the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice to the cunning exploits of Hermes.

Mythos: The Illustrated Edition is a triumph of storytelling and visual artistry. Stephen Fry has created a work that is both educational and entertaining, breathing new life into the timeless tales of Greek mythology. The illustrations elevate the book to a new level, making it a truly immersive experience.

Whether you’re a mythology buff, an art lover, or simply looking for a captivating read, this edition of Mythos is sure to delight and inspire.

First of all, I love Stephen Fry and so reading his take on the different myths made this a really fun read. This is highly readable and has great illustrations. His own humorous twists really add to this. In the afterword, he mentions his sources and how he approached writing this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

I LOVED this illustrated version of Mythos, one of my favorite mythology books out in the market.

This is the perfect accompaniment to those who love Fry’s Mythos series, with amazing illustrations and the trademark witty writing. He covers a wide range of myths in the Greek Pantheon, specifically those relating to the gods.

This is, I think, the perfect gift book for anyone with a burgeoning interest in Greek mythology. Fry approaches the stories with wit and enthusiasm, which really draw you in along with the illustrations.

I would definitely recommend getting the print version to appreciate all the illustrations in bold color. This is a must for all mythology buffs!

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

Stephen Fry finds himself among the rare class of actors that doesn’t just talk the talk, but can also walk the proverbial walk. Benedict Cumberbatch, for instance, would struggle to gather clues like a real detective, and Hugh Laurie belongs nowhere near a set of scalpels, but Fry’s role as host of QI was something he earned. As far as comparable game show hosts go, only Ken Jennings can really compare in both reputation and charisma after his successful trial-by-fire in the episodes of Jeopardy that he hosted after Alex Trebek’s death almost 4 years ago. Since his tenure as host of QI ended, Fry has sought to maintain his reputation by publishing a trilogy of books on Greek mythology. The first one, Mythos, was recently rereleased as an illustrated edition, so I thought it prudent to look at it and assess how well it meets the needs of the modern reader.

The most important threshold for any Greek mythology book in the modern era is to surpass the accessibility of the extant resources, because hoping to outshine Hesiod or Ovid is a laughable goal. Even in English prose, it would be a struggle to outdo what Graves did with The Greek Myths. The true point of comparison, then, is whether it is accessible to the youth. D’Aulaires is aimed at very young children, and Bullfinch and Hamilton both verge on being outdated. That target “young adult” audience will indeed find themselves captivated by Fry’s retellings of the myths at hand. Some of the interesting minutiae get overlooked; despite the opening chapter being cribbed from Hesiod, 9 muses are listed instead of his 4. It’s unreasonable to expect these kinds of books to touch on every detail; Fry does a good job of separating the tantalizing and attention-grabbing scholarship from the intriguing but in-the-weeds interpretations. When it comes to Ovid in particular, one could easily spend hours talking about a handful of lines, but that won’t necessarily captivate the next generation of readers.

Fry structures each story in a way that benefits those with diminished attention spans. The bulk of each myth is written in dialogue. Fry even omits the typical linguistic markers for discourse (e.g. “said,” “muttered,” “shouted”) and trusts the reader to keep track of who says what in order to keep these sections as tight as possible. That way, the individual biographies of each deity that separate the myth retellings receive as much room to breathe in regular prose as possible. The modern student often gets swamped with different obligations to friends, school and family, so having around one heading per page (in addition to the full-page art) can help with a sense of accomplishment for lapsed readers as well. Ovid’s Metamorphoses by nature can be difficult to put down because each story flows into the next. In Fry’s Mythos, the reader can easily stop at any point and be able to identify a handful of facts that they learned about mythology. Publications like Kindle Vella and the Imprint app have also begun to adapt to these reading habits. Another trick that Fry utilizes to keep people engaged is that the first time any mythological character gets mentioned in the narrative, their name appears in all capital letters. Mentally, this helps the reader to know whether they ought to remember who that figure is, or whether they ought to anticipate reading about them in the coming sections. It’s a neat little trick that caters well to the world we unfortunately now live in.

Pop culture is unfortunately in a weird place. There’s such a glut of media in the zeitgeist right now that it’s difficult to tell what the next generations will recognize and what will be lost on them. Comparing Kronos to Hannibal Lecter, for example, could be a safe bet considering its Oscar wins, but would one do the same for 1990’s Dances with Wolves or 1992’s Unforgiven? For a 60 year old man, Fry does do a remarkably good job avoiding some easy pitfalls with recency bias in the book, but even across the five years since its original release there are signs of aging. The extent of Terpsichore’s biography is one reference to Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Things may be different across the pond for sure, but even Holy Grail is beginning to fade from the public eye over here in America. Late into the book, for example, Fry makes an oblique reference comparing Pyramus and Thisbe to Sue Ellen and J.R. from the CBS soap opera Dallas, whose initial run ended the same year I was born. I’m not entirely convinced that he even needed to name another pair of star-crossed lovers to make his point, but there have been hundreds of stories since then that would have been more present in the minds of the readers. If the example had to be that old, even Jack and Rose from Titanic would have proven to have more longevity. This is probably the most egregious example, but even the negligible ones only serve to distract from the rest of the work.

Because this edition is the illustrated version, it’s worth talking about the unique art style. It belongs somewhere in that gray area between Art Deco and Art Nouveau, but the general “vibe” to the pieces is better described as belonging to the 1920s and 1930s. It’s got a look that I associate with Chicago and NYC. I think it’s incredibly vital to the work as a whole to pick something so stylized and particular that’s outside the living memory. What I mean by that is that the number of people alive today that experienced that period firsthand are in the triple digits, and even then they were only children. Most readers in the target audience for this book won’t even have learned about this secondhand through grandparents, but rather third-hand through books or the internet or museums, and I feel like that’s a huge distinction for how we view “recent history” that rarely gets talked about. As a bonus, those styles were some of the last to really incorporate Greek mythology into their designs. The most obvious example of this is the Rockefeller Atlas, but there’s also the iconic Prometheus in the nearby fountain, as well as a whole bunch of others littered around the architecture of NYC that was built around the ‘20s and ‘30s. Other artists of the period like Alphonse Mucha loved to incorporate the zodiac into their work as well. These things all died down during the red scare when America wanted to show God how much we loved and feared him, but that’s a topic for another day.

My D’Aulaires does fine by me when I need a little nostalgia hit and I want to read the myths through someone else’s eyes, but for younger generations I would recommend Fry’s work over theirs. The updates to the language, structure, and attitude make for just enough of a polish that teenagers will appreciate. Besides that, even not taking that audience into account, it functions fine as a coffee table book or curio. 2 stars.

Mythos: The Illustrated Edition is visual story experience unlike any other! Stephen Fry’s words, combined with the accompanying illustrations, bring to life the complex emotions and personalities of gods, heroes, and creatures. For any artist, designer, or illustrator looking to tap into the ancient world for inspiration, this book provides a perfect balance of narrative depth and visual elegance.

Whether you're searching for inspiration for your next design project, learning how to tell a story through your illustrations, or simply want to immerse yourself in beautifully reimagined myths, Stephen Fry’s Mythos: The Illustrated Edition is a worthy addition to your bookshelf. It's a reminder of the power of myths and the way they can continue to shape and inspire visual art in all its forms.

First reading - 2.5
Rereading - 3

Reread for Netgalley "Mythos Illustrated"

As a big fan of Stephen Fry's "Troy," I was excited to read "Mythos." I have read this book twice, once a hard copy that I purchased for myself and for the second time in ARC format provided by Netgalley.

I found this book to be a bit of a letdown given my expectations for Stephen Fry, but still enjoyable and worth reading. Unlike Troy, I found the pace of the stories to be a bit confusing - at times too rushed to explain the full story, at other times too drawn out with unnecessary added details and dialogue and lengthy distracting footnotes. The stories feel disjointed, without a central theme linking the sections. Although I enjoy Fry's humour, I also felt that his voice was overly present in all of the characters, which made them feel very much the same - I couldn't help picturing the Olympians in their distinct bodies but all with Fry's face.

This being said, I do enjoy Fry's writing and the book is well-researched and interesting. It serves as a good introduction to Greek mythology and I can imagine it may read even better as an audiobook than a print copy. I liked my re-reading better than the original reading enough to revise my original rating from "okay" to "liked it."

I did feel that the illustrated version of the book did not add very much at all. The illustrations are okay but they're infrequent and not particularly stunning; if purchasing the book I would not pay extra for the illustrated version.

Thank you to Stephen Fry and Chronicle Books via NetGalley for the eARC of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through this illustrated edition of Mythos. It’s clear that Fry has a passion for Greek mythology and his enthusiasm is soaked into every sentence. I loved getting to learn more about these stories and uncovering aspects I didn’t know. For example, I thought I knew the story of Prometheus who gave humans fire and was then punished for eternity. I didn’t know he was the original creator of humans or that he and Zeus were friends. I feel now that I have a more thorough understanding of a lot of Greek myths. I’m not sure how much liberty Fry took in these retellings, but I think it’s important to remember that these are retellings, and so they are just his interpretation.

The illustrations throughout the book are interesting. They align with what I’ve seen of Ancient Greek art on pottery. However, I think I would have enjoyed the artwork more if it had been more detailed. That’s just my preference though, and like I said it definitely fits with the content of the book.

As the edition I received was specific to being illustrated, the majority of this review will be about the art intermingled with the myths (though I will state preliminarily that Stephen Fry can do whatever he wants; he's earned that right with this level of devotion to making something so old so new, so remote so accessible. It's all I want to do, and he's preceding me beautifully).
The beautiful illustrations are placed (in my mind, too sparsely, but I hate to say that when I know all too well the amount of time and soul must be devoted to every detailed, mindful composition) through these pages like murals upon ancient walls, as though one could walk through history as the ancient settings in which these stories unfold. I'm not sure I knew how many illustrations would count as an "illustrated" volume, but it certainly felt like my illustrated fairy tale books. Somehow reminiscent of some proto-palatial Greek civilization styles of artwork and yet entirely unique and modern, the illustrations slipped into the re-representations and presentations of the myths very well. The often two-toned illustrations are a lesson in color composition and contest, bringing subtly and vibrance into each carefully rendered picture.
The inevitable drawback to any illustrated edition is the opposition of imagination between the reader and the illustrator. While many of the illustrations perfectly encapsulated the stories on the page, highlighting only minutely mentioned aspects that the illustrator instead brought to the forefront of attention, there would be times as well that the image I would conjure in my mind would be a different entity I viewed more deserving of artistic rendition. Sometimes, it would be difficult to reconcile the illustration to the point in the story it illuminated, or it would be too far distanced from its scene of inspiration (instead placed at the end of the story than alongside the page which described its portrayal).
I also found it interesting how the illustrations evolved over time. Going from renderings of whole scenes with characters and settings down to more simplistic figures and items from the tales made for a different evolution, perhaps as the stories shifted from being centric upon the gods and all their glories down to more mundane (if one could possibly use that word regarding a compendium of retellings) stories about gods and mortals.
The last wish, as often is, would simply be to have more drawings, but that does become too much to ask. But I was particularly partial to page-lining and corner drawings that reminded us, even on text-dense pages, that this is, in essence, a storybook and that this was indeed how these stories were originally represented. Illustrating Stephen Fry's already-illustrious text is genius, and I hope a trend that continues for Heroes and Troy.

this was fantastic loved every second of the illustrations were great!
if you enjoyed Mythos the first time around this just makes it even better.!

I loved Jesús Sotés’s artwork in this illustrated edition of Fry’s Mythos. The illustrations are typically 2 or 3 colors, sometimes more, but the limited palette gives that look of some early 2-color printed book illustrations or even like wood block printing. It really brings the text to life.

I own the original version of Mythos, and requested this ARC on a whim. I found that I might prefer this version with the illustrations to the original, and the original already set a pretty high bar! It gives it more of a coffee table book feel, and is an interesting counterpoint to my traditional college textbook on the subject of Greek myths. If you have an interest in Greek mythology and appreciate a witty narrator, this book is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Stephen Fry's Mythos has been a must-have on library shelves for years. The volume is today's go-to source to read about Western cultures favorite Greek myths, legends, and gods. The new illustrated edition presents the respected book in gorgeous color. The designs are cohesive, original, and...somewhat sparse. Despite the new edition and new marketing for the beloved reference book on all things Greek mythology, the volume still manages to come across as text-heavy. It's a difficult balance. As it is, the illustrated edition is over four hundred pages. But despite the glorious artistry the illustrations offer, not many libraries can justify the expense of adding the new edition to their shelf when it does not add significant enough visual interest to differentiate it from the original.

I love Stephen Fry's mythology series. This illustrated edition is a beautiful extension. I loved the visuals and will recommended this version to everyone. Such a gorgeous addition

An illustrated edition of Stephen Fry’s Mythos of the Greek myths.

This was a lot of fun. I’ve read so many different collections of Greek myths, but I am such a fan, that I was delighted to see this collection. It’s my first of Fry’s take on mythology, but definitely not my last. Fry’s comedic chops definitely shine in these irreverent takes on the Greek myths we all already know. But he’s also produced some versions that I had never heard of.

One of the most interesting things about Fry’s interpretations is how easy it is to see his favorites. Hephaestus is faithful, charming, and kind. And Fry’s even when he recounts the attempted rape of Athena. While Ares is boorish, stupid, and brutal.

And the illustrations were gorgeously colored and very striking. Would recommend this to any mythology collection!

My thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this illustrated arc.

Loved every page of this edition! If you're a Greek mythology fan, these stories are familiar - perhaps even memorized - but this edition offers something unique and new with rich illustrations accompanying the myths. It's perfect for a mythology collection and is also ideal for beginners wanting to study more about Greek myths. It eases you through the different gods and their stories in an eye-catching manner that will hold your interest from myth to myth.

I love the idea of myths. Greek and Roman gods! They’re just like us! After reading (for pleasure, really) Robert Graves’ The Greek Myths in elementary school and taking an equally dry college mythology course, I’m ready to have some fun with mythical tales. Mythos: The Illustrated Edition fulfills that desire perfectly.

In this book, the classic tales come to life with witty asides aplenty from the multitalented actor/comedian Stephen Fry. You will never look at the sky lying above the Earth in quite the same way again. Even though this book is over 500 pages, they just fly by. To think, you can be educated like you went to Eton (even if you are, gasp, female) and entertained all in one fell swoop.

I cannot recommend Mythos: The Illustrated Edition highly enough. 5 stars and a favorite.

Thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for providing me with an advanced review copy.

This was just okay. I didn't love or hate it. Some of the stories were very interesting, but it got abit repetitive. It also dragged in places.