I’ve loved Greek mythology since I was a kid (I blame Harryhausen for kickstarting this) and I can’t think of a more delightful way to spend my time than reading their tales as told by Stephen Fry whilst lounging in the sun in Rhodes, gazing at the Aegean Sea as someone brings me drinks and calamari from the taverna mere steps away. This has hands down been my most lovely reading experience of the year and if you ever get the chance to do the same I would highly recommend it.
Fry offers up these treasures in a witty, colloquial style, with lots of asides that make you feel like you’re having a wonderful conversation with one of your most erudite friends. While there isn’t anywhere near enough room to include every tale, Fry includes all of the most interesting and entertaining ones, whether they be from the beginning as the Titans rule and then fall, or from when our petty, jealous, and wildly entertaining gods took their places and started messing with humanity.
Whether you’re in the mood for some voyeuristic men being turned into beasts by the goddess of the hunt, want to read about Hades and Persephone and why the seasons change, tut as Zeus fails to keep his hands to himself in any situation, or cringe as Hera takes her jealous revenge on whichever poor woman found herself being held responsible, Fry has you covered.
I’ve been off work for a while now thanks to some spectacular stress induced meltdowns, and Mythos (combined with the aforementioned Greek sun, food and wonderful people) went a long way towards restoring my sanity and will to rejoin the human race.