Atwood actually had a fairly accurate modernist outlook on how life would have been; this is how Atwood would have dealt with such a life, no awareness of the Greek perspective. kind of literary version of "Troy" the movie. I love LeGuin's scifi and fantasy. her short stories and essays are insightful and amazing. I could not get into Lavinia.
I think there’s a difference between a ‘retelling’ and a ‘reimagining’ of an ancient myth. IMO if a book is marketed correctly the reader can go into a book knowing whether the story is faithful to the original myth or more of a “what if” scenario created by the author using the existing characters/ themes as a basis.
Also!!! I created a list for you guys of all the books I could find about the Ancient Greek & Roman world :) Overtime I'll be updating this (and adding sections for Egypt, the Near East, Mesoamerica etc), so check it out via this link www.moaninc.co.uk/books/the-ultimate-classics-book-list
For a GOOD Greek myths retelling, I strongly suggest “Lord of the Crooked Paths” & “Master of the Fearful Depths” by Patrick H. Adkins. And how many books have Metis as a main character?
What are your thoughts on Samuel Butler's translation of Odyssey? It was recently published by Blackie Books, translated to Spanish, and has become very popular in some youtube channels.
Interested in your opinion: Could a fiction novel, Greek retelling, that intentionally diverges from historical record, (and reimagines the events entirely) ever be positively received by historians like yourself? If it was done purposefully and knowingly, in order to make a creative statement. For example, how and why people today take such an interest in Greek mythology.
I'm sad you didn't enjoy Lavinia at all, but if you are simply not interested in the character that's quite understandable. I'd definitely recommend the book to more people - especially, as you said, so few people know it - because it's very beautifully written and very poetic. It discusses Roman religion, Vergil and Vergil's writing choices and Lavinia's reflection as the character in her own story in a very interesting light, imho - so what you said here, that she's not really a character, is in itself a topic in the novel. People interested in the Aeneid and Vergil should definitely go for it!
“Her” is me - hi! Just because you didn’t enjoy a novel and someone else did does not make them less trustworthy/less serious. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
@@MoAnInc it is not about not enjoying it you just gave so many full starts to a point I don't understand. how come its top one? it has too many weaknesses,
LeGuin is usually a good writer. I loved Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness when I was a boy/teenager. But I've never even heard of Lavinia. Didn't even know LeGuin did anything classically-inspired and not just fantasy/sci-fi.
They’ll come out over time, simply because I’m trying to see the reaction to the previous videos before finalising my future episode plans (eg, like viewer retention, comments, etc). But there are loads scripted and planned for this series
oh, how sad! I will likely still read Lavinia, because I love Ursula K Leguin writing and have been on a binge of her work recently. but I'll keep in mind it will not do much. but HURRAY! i also thoroughly disliked the Penelopeid. it feels good to know others (with more knowledge of ancient Greek writing) agree
I'm going to write a very unpopular opinion now, but once it is finished and the hype dies out you'll are going to see my point: Lore Olympus is a bad retelling, that had a promising start in S1, was a bit wonky in S2.1, but went totally out of the rails after the time skip for S2.2 and completely lost the plot in S3, where character arc are wrapped in a sloppy way at best and is so far away of mythology that you can change the names and never figure out who are this people
Honestly absolutely true, I dropped off sometime in early season two because it had annoyed me so much. Then I saw the printed copy in a library a few weeks ago, started on season 3, and basically went “terrible retelling, but hey the writing got better so I can enjoy if I just separate my knowledge of the myths”
House of Names by Colm Tóibín I hated hated hated HATED every single page of it. And it is a page-turner, mind you. A single sitting. I will NEVER forgive the author for what he did to ORESTES. I was fully repulsed. I know that retellings always bastardize one character beyond recognition. But man… there is creative license, then there is… whatever this was. His language is direct and blood-soaked; his story telling is merciless and freezing cold. Which I appreciated. The book has a very masculine language. But ORESTES… ughh. His weakness and submission were so hideously unsightly. Left a bitter taste.
I am also not a big fan of "Penelopiad", but honestly, nothing could be possibly worse than "Daughter of Troy" by Sarah B. Franklin. I came across this novel when I was nursing my book hangover after "The silence of the girls" and bought it just because it was supposed to be another retelling of the myth of the Trojan War from Briseis' POV. The book turned out to be a total waste of time and money, since it is male gaze-y as hell, and in addition romanticizes slavery and se*ual assaults.
Atwood actually had a fairly accurate modernist outlook on how life would have been; this is how Atwood would have dealt with such a life, no awareness of the Greek perspective. kind of literary version of "Troy" the movie. I love LeGuin's scifi and fantasy. her short stories and essays are insightful and amazing. I could not get into Lavinia.
Thank you for your honest reviews on these Greek mythological re-telling books! I will definitely look for book recommendations from you from now on!!
❤️
I think there’s a difference between a ‘retelling’ and a ‘reimagining’ of an ancient myth. IMO if a book is marketed correctly the reader can go into a book knowing whether the story is faithful to the original myth or more of a “what if” scenario created by the author using the existing characters/ themes as a basis.
Also!!! I created a list for you guys of all the books I could find about the Ancient Greek & Roman world :) Overtime I'll be updating this (and adding sections for Egypt, the Near East, Mesoamerica etc), so check it out via this link www.moaninc.co.uk/books/the-ultimate-classics-book-list
Thanks you a lot for saving us with your honest reviews!!!!
Someone’s gotta do it 🫠
@@MoAnInc and you get done olimpic reviews!!!!🏛️🤣🖤
For a GOOD Greek myths retelling, I strongly suggest “Lord of the Crooked Paths” & “Master of the Fearful Depths” by Patrick H. Adkins. And how many books have Metis as a main character?
I haven’t read these so I’ll DEFINITELY be checking them out!!!!
What are your thoughts on Samuel Butler's translation of Odyssey? It was recently published by Blackie Books, translated to Spanish, and has become very popular in some youtube channels.
Interested in your opinion: Could a fiction novel, Greek retelling, that intentionally diverges from historical record, (and reimagines the events entirely) ever be positively received by historians like yourself? If it was done purposefully and knowingly, in order to make a creative statement. For example, how and why people today take such an interest in Greek mythology.
What are some good Cassandra retellings?
I wanted to send the file of a novel written by me - which is also available on Amazon, but I couldn't find an email :)
Such a great video! I didn’t know any of these, and now… I won’t ever ! Thanks 🙏🏻
😂😂😂
Thanks for the recommended books to read.
I'm sad you didn't enjoy Lavinia at all, but if you are simply not interested in the character that's quite understandable. I'd definitely recommend the book to more people - especially, as you said, so few people know it - because it's very beautifully written and very poetic. It discusses Roman religion, Vergil and Vergil's writing choices and Lavinia's reflection as the character in her own story in a very interesting light, imho - so what you said here, that she's not really a character, is in itself a topic in the novel. People interested in the Aeneid and Vergil should definitely go for it!
she said jennifer saint Ariadne is one of the best I can't take her seriously after that opinion
“Her” is me - hi! Just because you didn’t enjoy a novel and someone else did does not make them less trustworthy/less serious. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
@@MoAnInc it is not about not enjoying it you just gave so many full starts to a point I don't understand. how come its top one? it has too many weaknesses,
LeGuin is usually a good writer. I loved Earthsea and The Left Hand of Darkness when I was a boy/teenager. But I've never even heard of Lavinia. Didn't even know LeGuin did anything classically-inspired and not just fantasy/sci-fi.
Wait are there more videos on the Troy movie coming?
Yes.
@@MoAnInc ah sweet
They’ll come out over time, simply because I’m trying to see the reaction to the previous videos before finalising my future episode plans (eg, like viewer retention, comments, etc). But there are loads scripted and planned for this series
@@MoAnInc Sweet. Enjoyed the last one. Looking forward to future ones.
Ma'am could you please make videos on pride and prejudice noval 🥺.
oh, how sad! I will likely still read Lavinia, because I love Ursula K Leguin writing and have been on a binge of her work recently. but I'll keep in mind it will not do much.
but HURRAY! i also thoroughly disliked the Penelopeid. it feels good to know others (with more knowledge of ancient Greek writing) agree
I'm going to write a very unpopular opinion now, but once it is finished and the hype dies out you'll are going to see my point: Lore Olympus is a bad retelling, that had a promising start in S1, was a bit wonky in S2.1, but went totally out of the rails after the time skip for S2.2 and completely lost the plot in S3, where character arc are wrapped in a sloppy way at best and is so far away of mythology that you can change the names and never figure out who are this people
Well that's true
Honestly absolutely true, I dropped off sometime in early season two because it had annoyed me so much. Then I saw the printed copy in a library a few weeks ago, started on season 3, and basically went “terrible retelling, but hey the writing got better so I can enjoy if I just separate my knowledge of the myths”
If anyone understood what is hidden in the ancient myths they'd never ever read a retelling
I think lore olympus belongs here
House of Names by Colm Tóibín
I hated hated hated HATED every single page of it. And it is a page-turner, mind you. A single sitting.
I will NEVER forgive the author for what he did to ORESTES. I was fully repulsed. I know that retellings always bastardize one character beyond recognition. But man… there is creative license, then there is… whatever this was.
His language is direct and blood-soaked; his story telling is merciless and freezing cold. Which I appreciated. The book has a very masculine language. But ORESTES… ughh. His weakness and submission were so hideously unsightly.
Left a bitter taste.
όχι καλός!
I am also not a big fan of "Penelopiad", but honestly, nothing could be possibly worse than "Daughter of Troy" by Sarah B. Franklin. I came across this novel when I was nursing my book hangover after "The silence of the girls" and bought it just because it was supposed to be another retelling of the myth of the Trojan War from Briseis' POV. The book turned out to be a total waste of time and money, since it is male gaze-y as hell, and in addition romanticizes slavery and se*ual assaults.
I’ve never heard of this book?!?!?!
How come jennifer saint Ariadne should be on that list one of the most poring retellings I ever read.
Couldn’t disagree more - Ariadne is one of my absolute favourites. It’s accurate to the surviving mythology and incredibly beautifully written.
@@MoAnInc you must be really exaggerating. it's horrible!