By Stephen Fry
SPOILER-FREE
There are Heroes – and then there are Greek Heroes.
Few mere mortals have ever embarked on such bold and heart-stirring adventures, overcome myriad monstrous perils, or outwitted scheming vengeful gods, quite as stylishly and triumphantly as Greek heroes.
In this companion to his bestselling Mythos, Stephen Fry brilliantly retells these dramatic, funny, tragic and timeless tales. Join Jason aboard the Argo as he quests for the Golden Fleece. See Atalanta – who was raised by bears – outrun any man before being tricked with golden apples. Witness wily Oedipus solve the riddle of the Sphinx and discover how Bellerophon captures the winged horse Pegasus to help him slay the monster Chimera.
Filled with white-knuckle chases and battles, impossible puzzles and riddles, acts of base cowardice and real bravery, not to mention murders and selfless sacrifices, Heroes is the story of what we mortals are truly capable of – at our worst and our very best.
REVIEW
THEMES: INFORMATIVE, HUMOROUS, HISTORICAL, MEDIUM-PACED.
Heroes is book 2 of Stephen Fry’s 4 book instalment of the Greek Myth retellings. Heroes, unsurprisingly, focuses on the heroes of Greek Mythology; Jason, Theseus, Oedipus, Bellerophon etc.
This is my least favourite of the 4.
Now, that is not because I did not find it interesting. Every story is interesting, and I like them all individually. However, [stop reading if you do not want anything remotely spoiled] I can’t get past that everything that happened to these supposed ‘heroes’, only happened because the Gods willed it. I know all these stories are fictional in the first place, but it was like children playing with their dolls.
Apart from that, I again, was surprised by how often these stories are referenced in contemporary media and literature. I also feel a whole lot smarter, because now, I actually understand them.
Fry’s writing was clear, interesting and easy to read. I am amazed by his ability to translate so much information into a 400-page book. His comedic take on conversations made the stories all the more enjoyable.
Like Mythos, I would recommend to beginners, but it could be too broad for someone more knowledgeable on the area.
Click link below for Storygraph overview, which includes general rating, summary (same as above) and other reviews.
Leave a Comment