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voldycat's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Incest, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
Minor: Slavery and Suicide
bookcheshirecat's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
“You see?' said Prometheus. 'It is your fate to be Heracles the hero, burdened with labours, yet it is also your choice. You choose to submit to it. Such is the paradox of living. We willingly accept that we have no will.”
➽ Stephen Fry is taking a deeper look at the Greek Heroes in this book! I liked that there are different sections dedicated to some of the popular heroes we know of but also others that might not be as well known. There is also a heroine included and it was nice to see a woman's story, as most heroes are usually men. The author always manages to make their stories sound so interesting and I liked learning something new about them. The discussion of what makes a hero and how almost all of their lives end in tragedy was so interesting to me! The question of fate, agency and free will also frequently comes up, as there is often a prophecy invoking a new hero!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail