Lately I have been enjoying the resurgence of books featuring the Olympian gods. For those of us lapsed Classicists, this is a joyous trend. I enjoyed the first couple of books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, but then after seeing the movie (horrifying for anybody who actually READ the book), I could not make myself read Book 3. I will get back to it soon. It is refreshing to see the Greek gods making an appearance in Youth books. I have some young friends (9 & 11) who are very enthusiastic about the ancient greek world. It is nice to have some literature to share with them. Even if Riordan took a lot of artistic license when writing them. It is nice to see young people who are able to pick out the inconsistencies and are annoyed by them! And I have someone to share my love of the ancient world with.
I was in our local book shop (a wonderful place!) last week and found an interesting book. It is called The Infinities by John Banville. I have not read anything of his before and am really looking forward to it. I have only just started it, but it is the story of a dying old man, his wife, and children as they experience the deathbed. It is told by Hermes, the narrator, and includes Zeus– doing as Zeus does with mortal women– and Pan, disguised as an "old, unwelcome acquaintance." It brings to mind one of my favorite authors, Homer. It is the story of mortals. And, of course, the immortal interlopers who cannot seem to refrain from meddling in the lives of mortals. Since I have only made it to page 14, I am as yet unable to judge the book. So far, the writing is good and entertaining. It is reminiscent of Homer's epic poems, complete with a glowing dawn in the first few pages of the book. I cannot wait to see what else it holds in store for me, for it seems to be the kind of story the greeks would have told about themselves and the gods among them.
Just as Jane reads adaptations of her books, I enjoy different translations and adaptations of Homer's stories. I love to see that after thousands of years people are still enthralled by the gods and the stories. I recently started, but have not finished, the Iliad and the Odyssey - a biography by Alberto Manguel, who I think writes absolutely beautifully. He tells the story of Homer through the millenia, how we mere mortals have changed and adapted the stories and the man to suit our time and place in the world.
I am very pleased that the ancient greeks are still alive and well in our little corner of the world. Perhaps it will motivate me to find some of the Homeric hymns in greek and do a bit of "light reading" this summer. Camping with Homer.....
Do you have a favorite author whom you enjoy reading in multiple translations or adaptations? I am curious what your biblio-obsessions are!
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Oh Dorothy, how sad I am that we are no longer near each other. With each post you write I realize how much fun we could have together. I love the inclusion of the Greek gods and goddesses in books as well. When I was three my favorite book was D'aulaires Book of Greek Myths and my favorite myth Persephone. Yes, I was a precocious three-year-old. I still love things with pomegranates in them because of the story.
ReplyDeletePersonally I am obsessed with art theft and try to read everything that mentions it. I must admit there are some pretty awful ones out there, but also some pretty good ones. The earliest book I can find that mentions art theft was written in 1963. I'm looking for more so please let me know if you find them.