Search
ClareR (5854 KP) rated A Thousand Ships in Books
Sep 13, 2020
How could it be anything other than ‘Epic’ when it’s Greek Mythology involved?
A Thousand Ships is the story of the Trojan War as experienced by the women. Greek mythology is always centred around the men - after all, it was men who original myths down (The Iliad and The Odyssey both having been written by Homer). Women are side characters who have things done to them, rather than them being the ones doing things - unless they’re a goddess or a witch. Although witches and nymphs don’t seem to come out of these stories particularly well either 🤷🏼♀️
I’ve always loved reading Greek myths and legends, and I’m really enjoying the resurgence of these tales. Told with a modern eye, they can tell us something about ourselves today. We still experience war and loss (there has clearly been no learning experience over the time span between Troy and the modern era), and women are still the ones who shoulder the worst outcomes during and after a war.
It was fascinating to learn about these women, and I particularly liked Penelope’s letters to her husband Odysseus, relaying information about his unbelievable voyage and rather circuitous route home: all information gleaned from bards and their songs. A sensible person would want to know how the singer got the information to write the songs!
The Trojan women sections were really where the true heroes were. These were the women who had lived through a ten year siege, lost their husbands, brothers, sons and families, and were shared as slaves amongst the conquering Greeks. And that includes the poorest as well as the richest of women - Hecabe, Queen of Troy, amongst them.
This book was on the shortlist for the Women’s Prize 2020, and it deserved to be there. I loved reading this, and I now need to read the book written before this (The Children of Jocasta - it has sat patiently waiting on my bookshelf!) to get ready for Haynes’ book about Pandora and her jar!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
I’ve always loved reading Greek myths and legends, and I’m really enjoying the resurgence of these tales. Told with a modern eye, they can tell us something about ourselves today. We still experience war and loss (there has clearly been no learning experience over the time span between Troy and the modern era), and women are still the ones who shoulder the worst outcomes during and after a war.
It was fascinating to learn about these women, and I particularly liked Penelope’s letters to her husband Odysseus, relaying information about his unbelievable voyage and rather circuitous route home: all information gleaned from bards and their songs. A sensible person would want to know how the singer got the information to write the songs!
The Trojan women sections were really where the true heroes were. These were the women who had lived through a ten year siege, lost their husbands, brothers, sons and families, and were shared as slaves amongst the conquering Greeks. And that includes the poorest as well as the richest of women - Hecabe, Queen of Troy, amongst them.
This book was on the shortlist for the Women’s Prize 2020, and it deserved to be there. I loved reading this, and I now need to read the book written before this (The Children of Jocasta - it has sat patiently waiting on my bookshelf!) to get ready for Haynes’ book about Pandora and her jar!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
I discovered Turkish delight through this book...
This is a must read for children, as the mystical elements are fascinating, but are lost when reading it as an adult.
First published in 1950, this is one of the most classic portal fantasies ever written. Four children are sent from London to an old house in the country during the evacuations of World War II. Through a magic wardrobe, they enter the fantasy land of Narnia, which is a jumbled mixture of Greek mythology, Bible stories, and Arthurian romances, with a bit of Medieval Bestiaries thrown in.
The White Witch has made herself Queen of Narnia, and put it under the spell of an ever-constant winter. With the arrival of the children and the lion Aslan, an old prophecy is met, spring comes to Narnia, and there is a major clash between the good and evil Narnians on who gets to dominate Narnia.
I like the book better than the film just because of the amount of detail used by the master of fantasy C. S. Lewis.
First published in 1950, this is one of the most classic portal fantasies ever written. Four children are sent from London to an old house in the country during the evacuations of World War II. Through a magic wardrobe, they enter the fantasy land of Narnia, which is a jumbled mixture of Greek mythology, Bible stories, and Arthurian romances, with a bit of Medieval Bestiaries thrown in.
The White Witch has made herself Queen of Narnia, and put it under the spell of an ever-constant winter. With the arrival of the children and the lion Aslan, an old prophecy is met, spring comes to Narnia, and there is a major clash between the good and evil Narnians on who gets to dominate Narnia.
I like the book better than the film just because of the amount of detail used by the master of fantasy C. S. Lewis.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Dark Lord of Kismera (Knights of Kismera, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rarely have I found such a nicely balanced novel that grabs my attention from page one. I wasnt expecting this novel to be as amazing as it was nor can I find words to adequately describe it. It fits into so many genres with ease. It is listed as romance and fantasy, but it has a heavy dose of action as well. You would think that this would subtract from characters and story, but the novel is well written. The world is developed and as someone who enjoys fantasy, I loved the authors interpreted world, creatures, and mythology. The characters are also multidimensional and dynamic.
While I am a huge fan of fantasy, the romance is what really completed this novel for me. The author really knew what she was doing. Bottom line, if you are looking for a well-rounded fantasy romance with enjoyable characters and a fantastical world, this is definitely a novel for you.
Rarely have I found such a nicely balanced novel that grabs my attention from page one. I wasnt expecting this novel to be as amazing as it was nor can I find words to adequately describe it. It fits into so many genres with ease. It is listed as romance and fantasy, but it has a heavy dose of action as well. You would think that this would subtract from characters and story, but the novel is well written. The world is developed and as someone who enjoys fantasy, I loved the authors interpreted world, creatures, and mythology. The characters are also multidimensional and dynamic.
While I am a huge fan of fantasy, the romance is what really completed this novel for me. The author really knew what she was doing. Bottom line, if you are looking for a well-rounded fantasy romance with enjoyable characters and a fantastical world, this is definitely a novel for you.
Lindsay (1747 KP) rated The Sky Throne in Books
Feb 8, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
Chris Ledbetter is a new author to me. His storytelling is nice and well written. I enjoyed his book “The Sky Throne” a fantasy and mythology book. It tells a story about a young Zeus and somewhat of how he comes to be a Geek God.
Will Zeus and his classmates find out what they are to do? The adventures they take are thrilling. Don is short for “Poseidon”. Is this book to tell the story of ancient Greek or is it more geared towards Modern? You will have to read the book to find out for yourself and decide. Though the story of young Zeus is about ancient Greek and becoming Greek God.
Hyperion coming to Create after young Zeus pulls enough pranks to get himself and his best friend expelled from Crete Lower Prep. Will he learn his lesson or will he continue with the pranks? Once his best friend is killed and his mother injured he is sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia. He sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia he as one question “Who is his real Mother”?
Will Zeus and his classmates find out what they are to do? The adventures they take are thrilling. Don is short for “Poseidon”. Is this book to tell the story of ancient Greek or is it more geared towards Modern? You will have to read the book to find out for yourself and decide. Though the story of young Zeus is about ancient Greek and becoming Greek God.
Hyperion coming to Create after young Zeus pulls enough pranks to get himself and his best friend expelled from Crete Lower Prep. Will he learn his lesson or will he continue with the pranks? Once his best friend is killed and his mother injured he is sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia. He sent to Mount Olympus Preparatory Academia he as one question “Who is his real Mother”?
Land of the Turquoise Mountains: Journeys Across Iran
Book
For Cyrus Massoudi, a young British-born Iranian, the country his parents were forced to flee thirty...
MO
Myth of the Western: New Perspectives on Hollywood's Frontier Narrative
Book
Offers significant re readings of key classic and contemporary Westerns. Myth of the Western re...
Shopping for Buddhas: An Adventure in Nepal
Book
Jeff Greenwald's classic travelogue follows his quest for the "perfect" Buddha statue. At turns...
Basketball (and Other Things): A Collection of Questions Asked, Answered, Illustrated
Shea Serrano, Arturo Torres and Reggie Miller
Book
Who is the greatest dunker of all time? Which version of the Michael Jordan was the best Michael...
The Rest is Noise: Listening to the Twentieth Century
Book
Shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award A sweeping musical history that goes from the salons...
The Book of Legendary Lands
Umberto Eco and Alastair McEwen
Book
In the tradition of On Beauty, On Ugliness and The Infinity of Lists, Umberto Eco presents an...