Gods and Mortals, Sarah Iles Johnston
Gods and Mortals, Sarah Iles Johnston
List: $29.99 | Sale: $21.00
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Gods and Mortals
Ancient Greek Myths for Modern Readers

Author: Sarah Iles Johnston

Narrator: Vivienne Leheny

Unabridged: 17 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 02/07/2023


Synopsis

An enticing and entrancing new telling of ancient Greek myths

Gripping tales that abound with fantastic characters and astonishing twists and turns, Greek myths confront what it means to be mortal in a world of powerful forces beyond human control. Little wonder that they continue to fascinate readers thousands of years after they were first told. Gods and Mortals is a
major new telling of ancient Greek myths by one of the world’s preeminent experts. In a fresh, vibrant, and compelling style that draws readers into the lives of the characters, Sarah Iles Johnston offers new narrations of all the best-known tales as well as others that are seldom told, taking readers on an
enthralling journey from the origin of the cosmos to the aftermath of the Trojan War.

Some of the mortals in these stories are cursed by the gods, while luckier ones are blessed with resourcefulness and resilience. Gods transform themselves into animals, humans, and shimmering gold to visit the earth in disguise—where they sometimes transform offending mortals into new forms, too: a
wolf, a spider, a craggy rock. Other mortals—both women and men—use their wits and strength to conquer the monsters created by the gods—gorgons, dragons, harpies, firebreathing bulls.

Gods and Mortals highlights the rich connections between the different characters and stories, draws attention to the often-overlooked perspectives of female characters, and stays true both to the tales and to the world in which ancient people lived. The result is an engaging and entertaining new take on the Greek myths.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Michael on July 01, 2024

Given Professor Johnston’s credentials, I had much higher expectations for this book. I think she could have used more tact and sophistication, such as in the case of her description of Hermes farting in the face of Apollo. I wasn't a fan of how in one moment, the baby Hermes is portrayed as talking......more

Goodreads review by Victoria on April 18, 2023

I read this book in preparation for a trip to Greece, having very limited knowledge of Greek mythology. It was so easy to read and very well-written (it reads like a story, rather than an author telling facts). Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to gain a basic knowledge of Greek myths, both t......more

Goodreads review by Nora on July 20, 2023

This was a fantastic compendium of the Greek myths, broken down (mostly) chronologically, from the initial creation of Earth and her children, the titans, the gods, down to the first humans and demi-gods, and then goes all the way up to the Trojan war and finally, the return home of the heroes after......more

Goodreads review by ☮ morgan ☮ on January 26, 2024

good, but kind of ick......more

Goodreads review by Monica on December 10, 2023

I wish I could give two ratings, one for the quality of the writing in this book and another for how I felt as I read it. I have been aware for a long time that much of our current literature takes things and names from Greek myths. I also realized that I knew very few of them, and I wanted to build......more