Reviews

Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock

vbroes's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

saramarie08's review against another edition

4.0

This book is very surreal and doesn't answer all your questions, so just be prepared for that. Having said that, I really get a sense for what the characters are feeling, and when the main character is disappointed, saddened, heartbroken, or joyous, I feel it as well. This book was a gamble for me, having randomly selected it from a shelf full of similar titles, but I'm glad it was well written and interesting.

farilian's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mkean's review against another edition

2.0

DNF. It was good up until a point. Then I realized that this is such a man-centric book. Gwyneth doesn't seem to have any purpose other than being an erotic playing for the men of the Huxley family. She is exactly as they want her to be, because their minds created her. She falls in love with them because they fall in love with her.

greendrum's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

2.5

Some interesting ideas hampered by one-dimensional, misogynistic writing

vezreads's review against another edition

Misogynistic writing put me off. Born sexy yesterday trope done in a really gross way

bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition

5.0

How come I'd never heard of Robert Holdstock before accidentally coming across "Mythago wood"? It's a lovely book, quite unlike anything I've read. It takes place in England in the years after WW2, where our hero Steven returns after the war only to find his brother Christian slightly unhinged. Christian, like his late father, has become obsessed with the ancient woodlands surrounding the family home. Steven studies his father's diaries which seem to indicate that the Ryhope wood is no ordinary place, and soon enough experiences the wildness and violence of the woods himself.

Holdstock skilfully uses Jungian archetypes and Celtic myths to tell his tale, never going overboard. The results are fascinating, sometimes funny, often moving. I loved the depiction of Ryhope wood. Holdstock's knowledge of and love for the woods is obvious. As a kid, I spent a lot of time in the deep forests surrounding my hometown, often making up stories or fantasizing about imaginary creatures (yes, I was a nerdy kid), and this book brought to life the feeling of being immersed in a living, breathing forest with a life of it's own.

zoe_werdy's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I loved the fantasy, British mythology themes in this book and it was a really interesting concept but the writing didn't grip me and I wasn't that invested in the story. Had to slightly drag myself to the end

jacksonhager's review

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

kettlekitten's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0