Mythos: The Illustrated Story

by Stephen Fry

No one loves and quarrels, desires and deceives as boldly or brilliantly as Greek gods and goddesses.

In Stephen Fry's vivid retelling, we gaze in wonder as wise Athena is born from the cracking open of the great head of Zeus and follow doomed Persephone into the dark and lonely realm of the Underworld. We shiver in fear when Pandora opens her jar of evil torments and watch with joy as the legendary love affair between Eros and Psyche unfolds.

Mythos Illustrated captures these extraordinary myths for our modern age in stunning colour - in all their dazzling and deeply human relevance.

Genres: Mythology, Fiction, Greek Mythology, Classics, Audiobook

464 pages, Hardcover

Published October 19, 2023

About the author

Stephen John Fry is an English comedian, writer, actor, humourist, novelist, poet, columnist, filmmaker, television personality and technophile. As one half of the Fry and Laurie double act with his comedy partner, Hugh Laurie, he has appeared in A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. He is also famous for his roles in Blackadder and Wilde, and as the host of QI. In addition to writing for stage, screen, television and radio he has contributed columns and articles for numerous newspapers and magazines, and has also written four successful novels and a series of memoirs.

See also Mrs. Stephen Fry as a pseudonym of the author.

Reviews

[Dario Boen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although fry came off as slightly cringe initially, this book was quite enjoyable. As someone who's not that well versed in the greek tradition I learned (though sometimes surface level) a lot about the mythology. My next move is to return to my dear friend Ovid and scrutinise his fuckass book (I love it). Then I'll really get into the meat and potatoes of the greek myths. I will also be more mindful of Xenia, lest Zeus might rape/kill/transform me if not.

Fav story was Eos and Tithonus
Close second is Arion and his dolphin

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is STUNNING! The writing, the illustrations... it's magical! Mythos: The Illustrated Story by Stephen Fry is such a fantastic way to kindle interest in classic mythology.
If you love mythology or are just trying it out for the first time, this book is a great option. Traditional mythology with a modern approach and fantastic art. Not to mention, Stephen Fry's storytelling skills take this book to the next level.

I have Mythos in e-book format and in print, and I would suggest grabbing this book in print form to fully appreciate the illustrations, but both are great!

Thank you #NetGalley, Chronicle Books and author Stephen Fry for access to the e-book format of this lovely book in exchange for an honest review. I LOVED it and bought the printed copy so my kids could enjoy it too.

[Bas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Een vermakelijk en toegankelijk boek voor mensen die interesse hebben in de Griekse mythologie.

[Megturnsthepage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the Illustrated version of Mythos by Stephen Fry because I’ve been seeing so many different Greek mythology retellings, but have minimal knowledge myself. I wanted to get a good introduction to some of the stories to see how interested I would be.

I absolutely loved the book! I listened to the audiobook narrated by Stephen Fry while following along in the book and I highly recommend doing that because the narration just added so much more to the book. I loved how the stories were told in a humorous and easy to understand way. The illustrations in the book are beautiful and I’m so happy with my purchase.

I plan to read the next books Heroes and Troy, and also read retellings by other authors. I’m excited to continue my Greek Mythology journey.

[Romee Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

interessant, vlot te lezen, mooie prenten

[Meike Van den Oetelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goed instap boek als je van Griekse mythologie houdt! Het begin leest een beetje stroef met al die namen en rangen onthouden maar verder heel leuk om te lezen. Ik ga de rest van deze serie ook zekor halen

[「 ✦ Jessica ✦ 」 · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆ (4 stars)
👁️Vision Board👁️


👩‍🏫Review:👩‍🏫

- I like the illustrated pages of the books.
- There were some stories that I skipped over simply because I A) Knew them already or B) I didn’t really care for their story (cough Cadmus & Harmonia cough).
- I feel as though this book should be given as a starting point to anyone getting into just the basics of Greek Myth!

🗣️Quotes:🗣️

“War may be stupid, but it is also inevitable and sometimes - dare one say it? - necessary”

❌ Critics:❌

▶️I can’t really have any ‘critics’ per se of the actual story, as its a retelling and this was my first proper readthrough of the true stories of Greek Myth - so who am I to say if they’re inaccurate, i’m not Homer! 😌

▶️I’m not the biggest fan of some of the fourth-wall breaks/when the author speaks to the reader. Some went on for nearly a page long!💤 As a younger person too, some of the jokes were dated (sorry! 😵‍💫) and I didn’t get them and had to search who these people were that Stephen Fry was referencing.

▶️Sometimes the illustrations ‘spoil’ the next page, this is just a minor critique for if this was someone’s first impression of Greek myth and wanted to see the illustrations as a ‘this is what just happened’ sort of imagery.


✅ Acclaim: ✅

▶️If you want to just get to learn the basics of Greek Myth, this is the book for you. It doesn't go into great detail of the full extent of the stories (imagine how long the book would be! 😓) but gives you just enough to get the jest of it. Perfect for you to see which is your favourite so you can read dedicated books of those stories later. 📚

▶️I love Stephen Fry’s way of writing/narrating, he makes it feel as though he’s actually sat with you while you’re reading. 🪑

▶️I like how the author reminds you of characters briefly of their correlation to the story and relation to others when re-introducing them, due to this being Greek Myth there are *WAYYYY* too many characters to keep track of - especially in the early beginning and if this is your first experience with Greek Mythology! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

▶️As I read the illustrated version, the artwork is truly GORGEOUS! 😍Really has that ‘Greek’ vibe that you see on the old vases and pieces created in the Greek Myth period. I loved when I got to a page that was just a spread of artwork. 🖼️

▶️This was my first time properly reading about the story of Eros and Psyche 🏹🎀and it gave me just enough detail and I loved it! Currently my favourite story from the book. 🤓


📚Reflect on your reading!📚

What scene stuck with you the most?

💡The story of Eros and Psyche, this was the first time reading about this story and what “actually” happened (well the most common adaption of the story) and it has made me very excited to continue reading other Greek myths.

Which character was your favorite and why? Least favorite character?

✅Demeter - I would go insane too if my daughter just got kidnapped and everyone was just enabling her kidnapper.

❌Zeus - I mean… Look at the gut, or well his history. Dudes a walking red flag. 🚩

Would you want to live in this book world? Why or Why not?

💡No. I feel as though the Gods would pick up on something minor I did and make me or my family suffer from it for the rest of eternity.

If you could ask the author anything, what would it be?

💡What is your favourite Greek myth?


After finishing the book, is the title more meaningful? If you could give the book a different title, what would it be?

💡mythos (/ˈmɪθɒs,ˈmʌɪθɒs/)

Mythos is literally the Greek word for myth/mythology, so I think it is pretty fitting. A title such as ‘Greek Myths: Retelling’ would be boring to see, so to see that they went the traditional route was nice.

[Lili · Rating 4 out of 5]

war schön mal wieder mein mythen wissen aufzufrischen. und sehr entertaining

[David Boddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and witty story telling. The (gorgeous) illustrations feel not quite aligned with Fry’s quick wittedness.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.6/5

[Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

i liked it very much! so entertaining. such a nice writing style, and written very well. Very interesting stories, he tells them really well. also funny! just loved those little stories, and the way they are all connected. beautiful illustrations too! only downside was that the book was heavy and i got bored sometimes, because the names were so much that i got confused and forgot many of them, and many stories too, and some pages were too much explaining the myths instead of telling them, but that was mostly the introduction, and i get why the explaining and introducing new names needed to be done. but liked it a lot!!! loooove greek myths, since i was 10 i think, maybe even 7/8

[Bono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still in love with this book. It's basically the same as the non illustrated version, and I do feel like there could have been more illustrations and perhaps more variety. Some of the drawings are perhaps a bit boring in style. But this is awesome to have laying around on a coffee table and I still enjoyed reading this book again. I had forgotten a bunch of stuff again so it was fun to dredge it all to again

[Gift · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my Christmas present. I started with the second part of the series unaware that there was also this “beginning”. While being in the ancient Greek flow and searching for a nice read for the holidays, Amazon offered me this gorgeous extension of the universe.

This book is beautiful! Stephen Fry´s storytelling is marvellous but it was an experience on another level to be able to actually hold a huge, well made book. What a pleasure!

[Federico Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephen Fry has put together a comprehensive compendium of Greek mythology with a timeline from creation to the appearance of mankind (mortals) through the Olympus build up, and the graphic version feels like a bible.

[Monique Prins · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ | A truly wonderful introduction to the Greek myths! Looking forward to picking up the next book, Heroes.

[Valerie Ivanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I could have ever wanted and more. So many myths that I had heard at some point as a child but have never before been able to grasp fully. Now I was able to read them as an adult and I could not have enjoyed these stories any more.

I felt like a kid reading this book because I was so entranced by the stories I was reading that I forgot to eat, drink and take a break all day until I finally finished the book. There has not been a book in recent times which has captured me mind, body and soul as Mythos did.

I wish some myths such as the story of Hyacinthus were given more space and time within the book but much as the words on the petals on the flower names after him, all I have to say is alas. A wasted opportunity but I hope it is expanded in one of the next books.

The full myth of Hyacinthus is fascinating and the love Apollo held for him has solidified them as one the best and well known couples in Greek Mythology. Apollo, beautiful, golden Apollo, who was so grief-stricken, going as far as begging his uncle Hades to kill him as a way for him and his Spartan Prince to be together in death. The resurrection of Hyacinthus was never mentioned nor were the cults and festivals that sprouted in his honor. Very disappointing for me as a great enjoyer of this myth but how the myth of Ganymede and Zeus was told almost made up for my disappointment.

The myth of Zeus and his cupbearer was never really known to me prior to a few months ago. Before reading Mythos I had made myself aware of the myth and loved browsing whatever I could find about those two. Now after reading Mythos, my affection and love for them has increased tenfold. I adored the way Fry told their story and the constant mention of Zeus’s love for his darling cupbearer. As told by Hermes, the Sky Father loves Ganymede and stayed with him forever more (even if he still strays consistently but then again would it even be Zeus if he doesn’t stray???).

Overall, I absolutely adored the writing style of this book and loved how many myths were included. The beautiful illustrations only helped me dive deeper into these stories and made it easier for me to image all of the wild, beautiful and sometimes disgusting, cruel myths that the Ancient Greek World has to offer.

4.75 ⭐️

[Martin Mcginley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Brilliant and Entertaining Retelling of Greek Mythology

Stephen Fry’s Mythos is an absolutely captivating and witty retelling of the ancient Greek myths. Fry takes the timeless stories of gods, heroes, and monsters and brings them to life with his trademark humor, charm, and masterful storytelling. His engaging narrative style effortlessly blends the epic with the personal, making these ancient tales feel fresh and relatable to modern readers.

What truly stands out in Mythos is Fry’s deep knowledge of Greek mythology and his ability to weave in his own unique perspective. The myths are not only retold in an accessible and fun way, but Fry also adds his insightful commentary on the timeless lessons and themes that these stories explore. From the birth of the gods to the great tales of heroes like Heracles and Odysseus, each chapter is an immersive journey into the heart of Greek myth.

Fry’s writing is both playful and thoughtful, making Mythos a joy to read from start to finish. Whether you’re a mythology enthusiast or a newcomer to these stories, Fry’s storytelling will draw you in and keep you hooked. His personality shines through in every page, creating a warm and entertaining experience that feels like sitting down with a friend to hear a great story.

Overall, Mythos is an exceptional book—beautifully written, endlessly entertaining, and filled with both humor and wisdom. Stephen Fry has created a masterpiece that will leave readers both informed and thoroughly entertained. A perfect 5-star read!

[Sadie-Jane Huff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 184 of 300 ~ 2024

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

So, my first time reading it, I didn't read these in order.. cos i didn't have the books in order.

This time, I made sure I did it right.

His passion for the subject, his genius, his wit, and his ability to interrelate other key figures who incorporated *cough* elements of these myths into their stories.

Standing ovation.. based on what I have read, i.e., all the books so far, I am positive the next one ODYSSEY (HINT HINT @TIMES.READS @DEFINITELYBOOKS is going to be spectacular.

I hope he will write about norse mythology next.. he is so brilliant... and reading and listening to him read to you.. perfection...

The illustrations are gorgeous, too. Admittedly, I thought it was going to be a graphic novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#book184of300 #amreading #netgalley #tbrpile #instareads #readstagram #reading #bookreview #bookreviewer #booklover #booksAreLife #booksForTheWin #thisbookfairyisreading #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookstagramfeature #bookshelf #booksofinstagram #bookish #bookworm #goodreads #booklovers #theSGbookfairyReads #theSGtrekkiereads #bookaholic #bookaddict #bookchallenge2024 #reviews #lovebooks #booknerds

[Emma C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this illustrated version of Mythos, one of my favorite mythology books out in the market.

This is the perfect accompaniment to those who love Fry’s Mythos series, with amazing illustrations and the trademark witty writing. He covers a wide range of myths in the Greek Pantheon, specifically those relating to the gods.

This is, I think, the perfect gift book for anyone with a burgeoning interest in Greek mythology. Fry approaches the stories with wit and enthusiasm, which really draw you in along with the illustrations.

I would definitely recommend getting the print version to appreciate all the illustrations in bold color. This is a must for all mythology buffs!

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC!

[ana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the ideal book to pick up if you’re looking for a more in depth look into Greek
mythology. Despite the presence of some heavy themes, the author manages to set a lighthearted mood and comfortable pace through his account of the events.

Personally, I had a difficult time getting through the second third of the book, because I couldn’t find interest in many of the stories being told. The illustrations are well placed and have such beautiful colors. It’s an enjoyable read, even though it could’ve been a shorter one.


Many thanks to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5/5*

Stephen Fry maakt de beknopte Griekse mythologie toegankelijk. Hij vertelt met passie over de mythologie. Door de toegankelijke schrijfstijl lijkt het bijna alsof je een hedendaags verhaal aan het lezen bent. Vlot leest het niet, vooral omdat het veel kleine verhalen zijn met heel veel zijtakken. Het is ook niet een boek dat je gehaast moet lezen. Juist het rustige lezen maakt de ervaring mooier. Ik vond het erg leuk om weer eens bezig te zijn met mythologie. Er zijn veel wonderlijke verhalen over goden (titanen, mensen, etc.) met soms ook een mooie boodschap. Echt een aanrader voor een boek die je elke dag een klein stukje verder kan lezen.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful retelling of the Greek Myths. Stephen Fry is witty as usual, and organizes the myths into well-defined categories.

Illustrations were beautiful, though infrequent. I do have one criticism, however: the edition that I bought didn't have a Table of Contents at the start.

Aside from that, I loved this book and was so enraptured I completed it in a couple afternoons. As it achieves all it sets out to, I'm giving this 5/5 stars.

[Stefan Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Želim da verujem da postoje paralelni univerzumi, i da je u jednom od njih Stiven Fraj moj profesor grčke mitologije (ali i najbolji profesor na svetu), jer je ne samo veliki erudita i oličenje akademije, već i toliko šarmantna i duhovita individua, i meni je čast što mogu da kažem da sam ga na neki način upoznao kroz ovo monumentalno delo.

[Rachel Fegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations and artwork in this book is beautiful and it’s a great retelling of Greek Mythology. I did find myself skipping some of the stories towards the end but still really enjoyed reading this book.

[Mark Daye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book Stephen fry's telling of the Greek myths was a joy to read and as a bonus the illustrated version just made it even more enjoyable, also the gods are just degenerates. There is always a catch.

[Cerys White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for somebody like me just getting into Greek mythology. It details the beginnings of the Olympians and some more popular myths surrounding both mortals and immortals.

3.5 ⭐️

[Alexandria Perone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fry’s wit and storytelling is quite fun, however I am currently enjoying Greek myths with a more feminist perspective.

[Kilian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way Stephen Fry manages to re-write the myths in a combination of informative and novel writing, together with the beautiful images makes this an amazing page-turner.

[Frederic Claus · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

So fun dude!!