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David McK (3562 KP) rated Odyssey (Stephen Fry's Greek myths #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2025
The final(?) part in [author:Stephen Fry|10917]'s retelling of the Greek myths, with this one - as in the name! - mainly concerning itself with what happened after the fall of Troy.
Indeed, I was surprised at how late into the tale it was before it stated focusing on Odysseus and his epic (10 years) trip to get home to Ithica and his wife Penelope!
Said legendary journey is what I was expecting the novel (retelling) to be about: I was unaware that it also concerned what happened to Menaleus (amongst other Greek victors) or to his Trojan captive Cassandra - fated to never have her prophesies believed but always to become true - amongst others.
I was also unaware, prior to reading/listening (I did both, switching back and forth), that the Latin name for Odysseus was Ulysses, or that - shall we say - Odysseus could be a randy old so-and-so ...
Looking forward to the forthcoming Christopher Nolan movie, now, to see how much is changed!
Indeed, I was surprised at how late into the tale it was before it stated focusing on Odysseus and his epic (10 years) trip to get home to Ithica and his wife Penelope!
Said legendary journey is what I was expecting the novel (retelling) to be about: I was unaware that it also concerned what happened to Menaleus (amongst other Greek victors) or to his Trojan captive Cassandra - fated to never have her prophesies believed but always to become true - amongst others.
I was also unaware, prior to reading/listening (I did both, switching back and forth), that the Latin name for Odysseus was Ulysses, or that - shall we say - Odysseus could be a randy old so-and-so ...
Looking forward to the forthcoming Christopher Nolan movie, now, to see how much is changed!
Kate-Grace (10 KP) rated StarCrossed in Books
Sep 10, 2017
The characters (1 more)
The plot
Fantastic read
This book is fantastic, it grips you and urges you to read more. I love the characters and the idea behind the plot- I have always been a fan of mythology and Greek myths and this book- in fact the series as a whole- is a great read. I have read it many times and it has become a go to for when I want to escape.
The Magus
Book
On a remote Greek Island, Nicholas Urfe finds himself embroiled in the deceptions of a master...
Crazier Eights: Pantheon
8.0
Rate It
Tabletop Game
A fantasy card game with a Greek mythology theme. It is deck of 33 game cards with unique abilities....
ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Silence of the Girls in Books
Nov 14, 2018
A retelling from a different direction.
This isn't just a straightforward retelling of the Iliad. In fact it's not that at all. This is the story of Briseis (I even googled how to pronounce her name), the queen of one of Troy's neighbouring kingdoms. When her kingdom is sacked by Achilles, she is taken as a slave along with the women and girls who survive, whilst the remaining men and boys are killed. Briseis becomes Achilles concubine - a prize of a battle won.
The violence of war is so graphically described in this novel. Briseis, along with the other slave women, are supposed to care for these mens wounds and fulfil their every (sexual) wish - the very men who had murdered their husbands, fathers and sons.
I've never read a Greek myth from the point of view of the women - they were supposed to be silent. Their stories are forgotten, but Pat Barker brings them to life in this book. We hear their sadness, their worries, their opinions of their masters. I could almost smell the filth, smoke, food and sweat of the Greek camp (in reality, I would imagine that I'd walk in the other direction!).
I've always loved the Greek Myths: I read them as a child and a teenager, and I'm really enjoying the resurgence of these stories at the moment. This novel adds another dimension to these stories, which I really loved. I'd highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hamish Hamilton for my copy of this book.
The violence of war is so graphically described in this novel. Briseis, along with the other slave women, are supposed to care for these mens wounds and fulfil their every (sexual) wish - the very men who had murdered their husbands, fathers and sons.
I've never read a Greek myth from the point of view of the women - they were supposed to be silent. Their stories are forgotten, but Pat Barker brings them to life in this book. We hear their sadness, their worries, their opinions of their masters. I could almost smell the filth, smoke, food and sweat of the Greek camp (in reality, I would imagine that I'd walk in the other direction!).
I've always loved the Greek Myths: I read them as a child and a teenager, and I'm really enjoying the resurgence of these stories at the moment. This novel adds another dimension to these stories, which I really loved. I'd highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Hamish Hamilton for my copy of this book.
NA
Nietzsche and the Ancient Skeptical Tradition
Book
The impact of Nietzsche's engagement with the Greek skeptics has never before been systematically...
tonidavis (353 KP) rated Half Blood in Books
Aug 26, 2017
Great story (4 more)
Alex Andros
Widen Delphi
Seth
Caleb
Fight like Alexandra Andros
I'm a huge fan of Greek mythology to begin with but the vivant series is my fav orite. Jennifer L Armentrout is a spectacular writer who work is always outstanding.
Alexandra Andros (Alex) is a great lead character strong and cool Harry but brilliant follows her heart and always does the right thing if people want a strong female lead you can not get better than Alex
Alexandra Andros (Alex) is a great lead character strong and cool Harry but brilliant follows her heart and always does the right thing if people want a strong female lead you can not get better than Alex
Audiobook: Stephen Fry’s excellent book narrated expertly.
I love Stephen Fry’s voice, and he reads his book so well. There’s great detail and great story choices. I’m a big fan of Greek mythology anyway, ever since I was a child, and this is a superb way to revisit those stories. It’s a great selection, I really enjoyed his take on the stories and what he added to the dialogue of the Gods, Goddesses and unfortunate humans.