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mowbs's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
travelinglibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
hayley_cummings's review against another edition
3.0
*3.5
i enjoyed the Greek mythology in this one, and there were stories I liked and stories that were just ok but overall a good read
i enjoyed the Greek mythology in this one, and there were stories I liked and stories that were just ok but overall a good read
msjoanna's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to these Greek myths as told by Nathaniel Hawthorne over a weekend. My kids listened to some of these as well and really enjoyed the ones that they heard. I'm sure they'll request that we download these again the next time we have a long car ride as we all enjoyed listening. The stories are written as if being told to young listeners, so they translate perfectly to audio format.
I always forget how many familiar story lines have origins in ancient Greece. These tales are truly timeless -- first told in Greece, written in this form in the 1800s, and enjoyed in 2016 by children and adults. Part of what is so engaging here is that the tales are told in rich language by a master storyteller. The full cast recording also brings the stories to life.
I always forget how many familiar story lines have origins in ancient Greece. These tales are truly timeless -- first told in Greece, written in this form in the 1800s, and enjoyed in 2016 by children and adults. Part of what is so engaging here is that the tales are told in rich language by a master storyteller. The full cast recording also brings the stories to life.
astrangerhere's review against another edition
2.0
I've read most of Hawthorne's other stories and this was a disappointment. It was the dumbing down of a few myths and generally a bleak and borng book of not-so-very fairy tales for kids. The language was clearly stilted, perhaps because Hawthorne was trying to reign in his verbosity for a younger audience.
aleena123's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mayusteapot's review
3.0
a refresher course in Greek mythology if there ever was one. sugar-coated children's versions which I wouldn't read to children bc they're pretty sexist. but the narration was good.
jinglesmell1337's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
I had to read this book for school. And as a greek/roman mythology nerd, I have to say this was a disappointment. I had low expectations for a book of greek/roman mythology's most brutal and tragic stories adapted for not only children but pre-civil war American children. And even then, it still managed to disappoint me. Hawthorne mentions at least once in every short story, that >insert actual myth here< is totally made up and that >insert whatever Hawthorne decided better suited his tastes< is the real story. The only reason I gave this one star is the Minotaur which even with Hawthorne's "more proper" corrections, I enjoyed. In the original myths, Theseus is at best a moron, at worst a straight-up jerk. But in this one, he's a (still a bit ditzy) but loveable hero, and if you read between the lines, nicely counters Ariadne's level-headed-ness.
avianareads's review against another edition
3.0
This was required reading for my home school curriculum, and the entire time I was wondering why they chose this particular book.
I was already familiar with most of the myths, (two little brothers who spent a long period completely obsessed with Greek myths) but the differences in Hawthorne’s retelling were kind of distracting. I know that names differ between the Greek and Roman versions, but it was still annoying.
Although this book was supposedly supposed to be for children, the writing fits upper-high school, college level reading, but simplified without the thought provoking metaphors of authors like Hugo and Dickens.
I don’t mind long winded authors most of the time, but when they are disguised as small children’s book writers, next time I’ll pass.
I was already familiar with most of the myths, (two little brothers who spent a long period completely obsessed with Greek myths) but the differences in Hawthorne’s retelling were kind of distracting. I know that names differ between the Greek and Roman versions, but it was still annoying.
Although this book was supposedly supposed to be for children, the writing fits upper-high school, college level reading, but simplified without the thought provoking metaphors of authors like Hugo and Dickens.
I don’t mind long winded authors most of the time, but when they are disguised as small children’s book writers, next time I’ll pass.