I liked this book very much as well, and I think the stories of the heroes fascinate me even more! Maybe it is because I used to watch the TV series „Hercules“ when I was a teenager, but these tales are simply amazing on their own.

„Few mere mortals have ever embarked on such bold and heart-stirring adventures, overcome myriad monstrous perils, or outwitted scheming vengeful gods, quite as stylishly and triumphantly as Greek heroes. Join Jason aboard the Argo as he quests for the Golden Fleece. See Atalanta, who was raised by bears, outrun any man before being tricked with golden apples. Witness wily Oedipus solve the riddle of the Sphinx and discover how Bellerophon captures the winged horse Pegasus to help him slay the monster Chimera. Filled with white-knuckle chases and battles, impossible puzzles and riddles, acts of base cowardice and real bravery, not to mention murders and selfless sacrifices, Heroes is the story of what we mortals are truly capable of, at our worst and our very best.“

Blurb

The way Stephen Fry writes these tales down and explains them makes them better still. His prose is warm and comfortable to read, and his narration of the audiobook is equally superb. At some point it felt like a small play unfolding inside my head, with Stephen Fry shouting and probably gesturing and bringing every character to life.

You need no prior knowledge of Greek mythology before diving in, but I would recommend reading the books in order, simply because it makes sense. First the general myths in „Mythos“, then „Heroes“, then the Trojan War in „Troy“, and finally the return of Odysseus in „Odyssey“. Together they form a wonderful arc that rewards being read from the beginning.

All in all an awesome book, informative and entertaining all at once. A great successor to the first one that leaves me genuinely excited for the third. For me a clear five-star read!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📝 If you are looking for my own short stories, poems and texts, check out my Substack: https://substack.com/@fragmentsandthedark