which book has ALL the greek myths, but is written in a readable, rather than dry scholarly way?

Question

is robert graves any good?

Answer 1

Hi CatW,

First, you may find a more informed audience on this specific subject if you ask the same question in the Mythology section of Society & Culture.

I've been doing a lot of research on Greek Mythology and I have not yet come upon a single volume that is 100% comprehensive of every Greek myth. I guess it depends in you're looking for every single one, or just for a complete set of the better-known ones.

It doesn't hurt to own several volumes, though - you can compare and contrast the ones that overlap that way. Here are the books that I have bought over the last six months:

1. Theogony, by Hesiod is perhaps the most complete original record of early Greek Mythology, from the creation of the world, primordial gods, Titans and Giants and the Olympic Gods. Works and Days adds a few more myths, including Prometheus and Pandora

2. Metamorphoses, by Ovid is also replete with myths. He starts with the creation of the world and moves up through many, if not most, of the myths you know today, focusing on transformations (hence the name), such as Daphne into the Laurel Tree and Zeus into the swan, etc. Ovid was Roman, but of course the Greek and Roman mythologies are almost symmetrical, except for names.

3. Odyssey & Iliad by Homer. Of course.

4. The Hero with a Thousand Faces, by Joseph Campbell and many other works are wonderful distillations of mythology and the art of storytelling. Campbell is considered perhaps the greatest modern expert on mythologies. His writing is beautiful, but does tend to be quite scholarly.

5. I also have many reference books, comparative mythologies, encyclopedias, etc. They are just that - reference books - and since you're looking for something not "dry" they may not fit the bill, but let me know if you'd like my recommendations among them.

I don't have any Robert Graves yet, although I hear he's very good. I have read some of his translations, and I thought they were excellent. If you're looking for just a fun read, pick up The Golden A s s (Graves is the translator). I found it simply delightful. It contains the first recorded version of the myth of Cupid and Psyche.

Those are my recommendations, although I must say that it really depends on your purpose. Do you just want to be better informed in mythology? Are you studying it for school? Are you writing a book or play or screenplay in which you want to reference mythologies? I could point you to different sources for each of these purposes.

I hope you find what you're looking for. Happy reading to you!

*** Edit *** Diana has a wonderful idea there. Maicar is indeed a great reference site. Another that I am particularly impressed with is http://www.theoi.com. It is beautifully designed and quite comprehensive. Thanks for the reminder, Diana!
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Answer 2

I LOVE the Robert Graves one, but it is definitely scholarly. It's better for reference than reading from cover to cover, but he has a lot of interesting details that are left out of other books with "cleaned up" versions of the myths that high school teachers like to use. I had one book when I was a kid called D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths. It's a kid's book, but it has all the basics and is very readable, with great illustrations. Sorry I can't think of anything more in-between!

Answer 3

I bought and read The Greek Myths by Robert Graves a very long time ago when I was a teenager. Graves was a scholar but his writing style is very clear and precise. He does not try to impress the reader with obscure terminology and pedantry. He gives a brief, lucid description of each myth not a long winded account. If any of the stories pique your interest you can explore them in more detail in other works.

Answer 4

Not for all Greek myths but only for the Homer period (years of the Trojan war and Odyssey) the best books are the two of Lindsay Clarke, "The war of Troy" and "The Return from Troy". They are written in a novel way, however they include all the mythical facts that took place during this period (all the alternative versions). The books are really well written and easy read.

Answer 5

Just so you know, no book has all the Greek myths. If you have a minute, go to this website (Carlos Parada has the most fantastic website on classical mythology!), scroll down below the picture of his bookshelf, and read the paragraph that starts, "The ancient authors and words listed below....":

http://www.maicar.com/GML/Bibliography.html

Answer 6

The Odyssey by ability of Homer, of direction, between the suited memories ever advised and between the few books I insisted my son study - he only enjoyed it! an excellent myths of myths concerning romance, journey, have confidence, fatherhood, authentic sonship, loyalty, betrayal.i ought to pass on and on. yet do no longer you be attentive to this already? .

Answer 7

Just a guess on my part, but you might want to see if Idiots or Dummies makes a mythology book.

It'll be easy to read for sure.

Answer 8

`Mythology`by Edith Hamilton