anOther Mythology

by Maxwell I. Gold

A Queer Poetic Retelling of Classic Myths

From Thanatos to Hades, Maxwell Gold's book of horror prose poetry reimagines myths from a queer perspective. Gold's poetry merges camp sensibility and cosmic horror in poems that are beautiful, bloody, and barbed. A poetic soap opera of gods and monsters.

Genres: Poetry, Horror, LGBT, Queer, Fiction, Mythology, Fantasy

64 pages, Paperback

First published September 4, 2023

About the author

Maxwell I. Gold is a Rhysling Award nominated prose poet, focusing on weird fiction. His work has been featured in numerous publications including Spectral Realms, Space and Time Magazine, Weirdbook Magazine, The Audient Void, and more. His short stories and prose primarily center around his cosmic and profane Cyber Gods Mythos.

Reviews

[Brianna Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher Interstellar Flight Press for sending me a copy of this collection ij exchange for an honest review!

Queer, short, mythology retellings in a more poetic format.

[EmmaG · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short poetry collection of Queer Horror Mythology from a new perspective taking the power away from the toxicity of the original texts and also focusing mostly on Hell, um big yes. This was right up my alley.

The writing is dense with metaphors and if you don’t know much about Greek Myth in particular the Underworld you might get a bit lost in this collection. However it is a gorgeous new look into the old myths.

This felt like if the video game Hades was in dramatic prose. Glorious.

Special shout-out to: I am Death (Thanatos’ Arrogance), Drag Queen of the Underworld and I am Dead (Hades’ Plea).

Also the cover is phenomenal.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC, Maxwell I. Good for writing it and Interstellar Flight Press for publishing it. Out 04.09.23

[Christina Pfeiffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t gotten on the Maxwell I. Gold train yet, I don’t know what you are doing with your reading life.

In anOther Mythology (that title is so gotdamn clever and you will understand it once you read the book, I promise) the reader is taken on a journey of the character’s self-discovery of being more than a mortal amongst Gods, and really, the reader does to.

This is not to be read quietly and to yourself, you need to read each word aloud, forcing the words to come alive in the universe. I’m serious. I read this to my six year old for bedtime and she was captivated. The way Gold conjures images in the readers mind and they dance off your tongue with each word… remarkable.

Want proof? Here are some of my favorite lines:

“Fear, the leathery serpent-boy who slunk across the dark musty innards betwixt star and broken dreams of the universe, danced atop crumbs of dread, forever smeared beneath him.” (Say those words aloud and tell me I’m wrong!)

“Doomed to care for these wild unfortunates who glide through His lips, His sloppy seconds.”

“…granite eyes peering into my soul where he found the missing piece of his metal heart.”

Gold stuns my literary heart AND mind every time I read the newest release. I’m a fangirl through and through.

An OFF THE CHARTS, DOUBLE RECOMMENDATION 20/5.

[B E X · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Time's quite the flexible yarn as I drag onward, mostly bored with infinity, so there's nothing left to do except
Spin,
measure,
and cut."

A deep dive into Greek Mythos many already know so much about and twisting the tales slightly to offer new perspective to the characters. Arranged in short, page-long poems specific to different mythological characters and places. I enjoyed the creative license Gold took within these glimpses. The prose was elevated without being too complex and swiftly immersed me into the expressions of the characters.

Much gratitude to Interstellar Light Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Gold writes was captivating and beautiful; each of the poems were easy to read and understand while also remaining full of emotion.

I also enjoy when poets play with the space they're given, and Gold did that well without having to fall back on it. It was used for emphasis and it worked.

I enjoyed this read - it was a quick, read-in-one-sitting book that I'll be happy to read again!

[Linn van den Heuvel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm, this was not at all what I expected. It was a reinvention of mythology stories, however very short and in poem form.
It was not my thing.

[periwynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn't for me, I DNFed the book at 30%.

Poems are written in quite a complicated manner, very prose-like, and I feel like you must know a lot about mythology beforehand, which I don't, and therefore I didn't really understand any of the poems. The words and metaphors do conjure up beautiful imagery and all the personifications are interesting to read about, but I'd recommend this book only to people who already dabble in Greek mythology and are fans of this kind of advanced poetry.

(I got an ARC of this book on NetGalley.)

[K.C. Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, here's the thing... if you're going to make mythology queerer, Greek myths are an interesting choice, because the ancient Greeks had a very different view of queerness than the modern West. I was really expecting to enjoy this, because I have a degree in ancient Greek lit and archaeology. I am queer. I was ready.

But the thing is, I don't understand what Gold is trying to add here, or why Greek mythos is the framework. I didn't feel like this particular queering of this mythology was subversive. It didn't feel like it added anything in its execution. And if the poems are meant to be personal (in other words, using the existing mythology to address Gold's own sexuality, rather than the the other way around), then why not use the form more effectively? The Hesiod is referenced, but the poetic form of the Hesiod isn't employed. I don't feel like I came into this anthology with an agenda, although maybe I did, because I was left struggling to understand the reasoning behind this merger.

I know I'm a big ol' Classics dork and could, quite literally, write an essay on why this frustrated me. I didn't feel like the collection was poorly written, so I'm still giving it three stars, but I was actively frustrated by some of the choices here.

My thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for my honest review. Usually, my three-star ratings are reserved for books that I am utterly lukewarm towards, but in reading this I ended up feeling like that Eric Andre meme, shaking this poetry collection over my head and shouting, "Let me in!" There's something in here, for sure, but it's not working for me.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of AnOther Mythology by Maxwell I. Gold.

Maxwell Gold's book of horror prose poetry reimagines myths from a queer perspective, so naturally, this book of poems is right up my street.

I highlighted so many passages and lines in this short collection of poems, and had to paste some here for a taste of the exquisite writing Gold displays:

"Bloodied and bruised by the gods so jealous, hateful of our forbidden passions-"

"How I longed for his touch, but too heavy was the music of darksome lullabies which pulled down the stars themselves into loathsome, blissful oblivion."

"Always, forever, and into the wide infinite darkness, I stretched my lips towards that which never ended, my unyielding loneliness."

"These roots ran deep, deep into the heart of the world—beneath the waters and ruin of the heartless flesh-things who crawled on the surface and through the darkest crevices in the night— existing before the Voids or vague shadows floating across the bloated, plastic fields, spreading like an ivory bile on the world."

These poems are thick with metaphors and flamboyant language, and a previous knowledge of Greek mythology in particular will certainly help one follow along.

The poems are thought-provoking and you would do well to have your annotation equipment ready (as I said previously, I highlighted a lot)!

I already know I will revisit these poems, and I would recommend you read them yourself. Especially if you are a queer mythology loving nerd like me.

[Vivienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Interstellar Flight Press for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘anOther Mythology Poems’ by Maxwell I. Gold.

This short book of prose poetry reimagines a number of Greek myths from a queer perspective.

In the Author’s Note Gold states that he wanted to challenge the ‘heteronormative worldview’ of the old myths. “We’ve read all the stories and seen them through their lens. I wanted to reshape that lens. No, I wanted to completely break it, because it didn’t matter how we as queer people were seen, but it mattered more how we saw ourselves.”

As I am not queer I am not really in a position to judge how well this brief was met though I found Gold’s stream-of-consciousness poems easy to follow and rich in terms of imagery.

I especially enjoyed the Underworld poems including ‘I am Dead (Hades’ Plea)’, ‘Anti-Orpheus: the Music of Death’, ‘Graveyard of the Gods’, and ‘Drag, Queen of the Underworld’.

Overall, while I enjoyed ‘anOther Mythology’ it felt a very personal collection rather than one that particularly spoke to me. Other readers will likely have different experiences.

In addition, I continue to appreciate Interstellar Flight Press’ commitment to publishing poetry that encompasses mythology, horror, science fiction and fantasy themes.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Taylor Conley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxwell I. Gold's poetry collection, anOther Mythology, was well written and engaging. I really enjoyed the prose throughout the collection and the originality around the collection as a whole. I don’t have a lot of knowledge in Greek mythology, but I still enjoyed the collection; however, I wouldn’t recommend it to someone who doesn’t have a lot of knowledge on Greek mythology. There are some really good lines throughout the book. For example, one of my favorites is, “I’d cross the seas, traverse the cosmic sands if it meant I’d hold you again." This collection would be perfect for annotating! I definitely want to revisit this collection in the future once I study more about Greek Mythology, which this book is perfect in selecting what to study first. Well, at least for me, because I want to focus on queerness in mythology. I highly recommend this collection!

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publishers, for granting me access to an arc of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

[Maddi Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

"How I longed for his touch, but too heavy was the music of darksome lullabies which pulled down the stars themselves into loathsome, blissful oblivion."

anOther Mythology is a short poetry collection of Queer Mythological Horror. It gives new insight into the Greek Mythos we all know. The complex character building and beautiful language is full of meaningful metaphors that leave your jaw on the floor wondering how Gold can describe emotions and feelings in a way you never thought imaginable.

I will warn you that if you don’t have any background knowledge in Greek Mythology this might not be for you. I was doing A LOT of Googling, but I got there and once I did I was sucked into an eerie, beautiful world.
 
Some of the pieces that stuck out to me were:
Across the Seas, Into the Desert I’d Have You Again
Phobos Oneiroi: Into the Mouth of Fear
Blood and Flowers: Saffron Nightmares

This was a fast read that was heart-wrenching, but left me feeling hopeful. I’m looking forward to reading more from Gold in the future.

[Rae's Reading Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

anOther Mythology is a queer reimagining of Greek Myths told through prose poetry. It blends intricate imagery of such Greek prose with a queer twist.

I had a mixed review on some of the work, as a lover of all things Greek Mythology, I was really excited to dive into this collection. Like most collections, some pages hit while others left me wanting more.

Some of the poems I enjoyed were:

I Am Death (Thanatos' Arrogance)
I Am Dead (Hades' Plea)
Across the Seas, Into the Desert I'd Have You Again
Drag, Queen of the Underworld
Hetero Never-After

While I enjoyed the new perspective on Greek mythology told through a queer lens, I felt that there was something missing throughout the collection. In a way, I wish the poetry did have a more modern link but that could just be a personal preference more than anything. It wasn't a collection that stood out to me in a huge way but it was overall an enjoyable read.

Thank you so much to Interstellar Flight Press for an eArc in exchange for my honest review.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was excited to read a queer reimagining of Greek myths - and the cover is so nicely done. Unfortunately, I found these poems very confusing.

I have a pretty basic understanding of Greek mythology, but I was totally lost in this collection. I can't imagine the average reader will fare much better, because I named my cat Persephone and was absolutely astonished how many people had never even HEARD of that Greek goddess. I guess the average person is just not that well-versed in Greek mythology. So I don't think the average reader will totally understand what's going on in this collection.

The imagery was vivid and creative, and I appreciated the talent that went into the writing. It just ended up being a miss from me. I felt like I wasn't smart enough for this collection, which isn't a nice way to feel. But maybe someone who is savvier about mythology will enjoy it.

Thank you to the publisher Interstellar Flight Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of poetry is not quite what I expected. I see reviews raving about the depth of these poems and how beautiful they are, but I can't reconcile the retelling with the original myths. Maybe I'm just not looking deep enough or maybe I'm not familiar enough with the mythology so it's over my head. But it seemed to me to be mostly run-on sentences and random babble that required a dictionary every few words, like the author was trying way too hard to be impressive and profound. I don't consider myself to have a simple vocabulary by any means, but this just seemed overdone. A lot of things didn't make sense and I had to read them multiple times, which I suppose you're meant to do with poetry, but it just wasn't working for me. I usually enjoy the flow of poetry, but this didn't flow well. I don't know, I guess I'm in the minority here. Maybe it just wasn't for me.

Thanks anyway to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the eARC, but I won't be recommending this to anyone, unless they are queer and deeply interested in mythology.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

After sitting on this read for a while, I unfortunately have to say that it's one of the few mythology reads I've disliked. This is not to say that the content doesn't have merit or that the writing is inherently bad, but the prose poetry didn't seem to do what I think the author wanted it to. As a queer person who is fairly well-versed in (especially Greek) mythology, I didn't really see how these poems were "turning traditional myth on its head" or "adding queerness to myth." I think the idea of reshaping how we view myth is an ambitious goal and it just was not achieved here. I think one would also have to subscribe to the idea that all gods, mortals, and characters in mythology are terrible, oppressive, heteronormative people and I don't believe that. Perhaps this just went over my head, and perhaps it just isn't for me, but I really wanted to love this and it fell short.

Thanks to the publisher for the e-ARC.

[Jenna B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 Stars

Positives:
The poetry is beautifully descriptive and the language is evocative. The reimaginings in the context of LGBTQ+ and other historically oppressed communities are touching. It was easy to read and didn't take that long.

Negatives:
While the source material is deeply present in the poetry, it felt like with some of the works the connection to the modern is lost. Instead of recontextualizing the original story in the context of modern society, it felt like the poem just described the original story with a more flowery language. Some of the poems were understandable, but for a lot of them, it felt like I was having to dig out meaning between unnecessary fluff.

This was an okay poetry book. It didn't stand out to me in terms of impact, but I did appreciate the intention. I would recommend this for LGBTQ+ people who love mythology and people who are willing to put in the work to understand poetry.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a little torn about this collection. The whole concept of re-contextualizing mythology through a more queer and transgressive lens was fascinating and also the reason I picked up this up in the fist place, however I didn't really see the vision.

In the author's note Maxwell I. Gold makes it that clear that they would like to "evoke a sense of wonderment" through the collection, but I felt like a fish out of water at times. Honestly, I think this speaks more to me as a reader and probably would have been appreciated by someone who has a more in-depth knowledge of mythology as this would not be accessible or a beginner mythology enjoyer (aka me). I also feel like the verse style was a little clunky for me and I really love verse poetry.

That being said I really enjoyed the poem 'Hetro Never-After' and few other stand out poem which were mostly at the back end of the collection.

[Anika Verhagen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'm gonna need to read through this one again, because I don't think I understood it properly, and my raiting may change afterwards, but for now

This was beautiful prose, the creation of a new mythos while taking from the old, weaving short but beautiful scenes and images that kept my attention
i just wish that these new stories had names, if a new mythology is what the author wanted to create. It is far easier to remember and dream of the stories of Persephone, Medusa, Apollo and the likes and relate to their troubles when they are recurring names that you can put an image to. These stories didn't have that, the characters more concepts than anything else, which is nice in its own way, but not something I'd wish of a mythology

[Andrea Blythe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gold uses classic mythology — both Greek and Roman tales and the structure of mythology itself — to explore a new modern concept of myth that exists outside of the heteronormative expectations of the original myths. Mostly in prose poetry format to evoke the sense of traditional narrative and blended with surprising moments of free verse to emphasize specific emotional beats, these poems have a rich depth.

"They always forget me, the Closet of Shadows. I'm here in the shadows, too, a host for those poor unfortunates always terrified without cause, without anything, and too quick to make the jump or the last kiss when they're brought to me in this place of dark cavernous dreams and helmets taller than their nightmares." – from "I am Dead (Hades' Plea)

[Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inventive, creative, collection, the only disappointment I found in reading this collection was reaching the end too soon. Brevity aside, this collection is full of evocative, lyrical, bite sized, poems that attempt, and mostly succeed, at completely re-contexualizing some of the most famous world myths through a queer lens. The Fates, the primordial abyss before creation, The Flood, and Persephone, all get their due in this collection, each with their own wonderfully original musing.

Overall, this was an interesting read I quite enjoyed. I would be excited to read anything else this author creates.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

aNother Mythology is a short little book blending various mythology in prose poetry into a much less heteronormative viewpoint. It's not always easy to tell but that's not really a detriment - why should anyone assume the default POV is cishet?

It's a little Advanced Mythology, but that also is not a bad thing - it's just more to learn when things are unfamiliar or forgotten. There's some really good lines in here, even in the Afterword, and I definitely will be thinking about Endymion as a twink from hereon out.

Thank you to Interstellar Flight Press and NetGalley for the free borrow in exchange for this honest review.

[Kathryn Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a massive mythology nerd especially Greek mythology I was instantly pulled into this. It was a quick read of poems perfect for a quiet evening, if you want something to devour in a night pick this up. There’s a few poems I had to ask my partner which legend it was but for the most part they were pretty easy to pick out if you know your mythology.

The horror elements mixed with the Greek queer thoughts was exactly what you’ll get out of this book of poems…
Phobos Oneiroi: Into the Mouth of Fear and The Tree of Other (The Other Tree) were my two favorite poems, and highlighted so many more.

[Tasmin Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I’d cross the seas, traverse the cosmic sands if it meant I’d hold you again."

AnOther Mythology is a collection of short poems with a new perspective /take on the stories.

"Sometimes the darkness weighed down on my body until I felt as if I was going to be crushed like another piece of rock and ruin."

This has some great quotes in it. And hits a lot of plus's. I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it. Especially if you enjoy mythology like I do.

I received this arc from Netgally for an honest review

[Isaiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got an ARC of this book.

I just 100% did not get it. I was promised scary and queer, but all I got was Greek mythology (which yes is very queer, but not in a way I enjoy). I don't like Greek mythology so I know I missed a ton of the references, but the mythology I know just didn't really come into things. It just felt like generic poetry and that is not for me.

If you are super into mythology, this may be a better fit for you. If you are like me and hate magic and mythology then might be best to avoid.

[Ella-Mae Campling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy of Golds anOther Mythology in exchange for an honest review. Beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful, Beautiful. Gold spins the tales in the most indescribable of ways. As a queer person utterly obsessed since youth with Greek Mythology and Poetry, I feel seen, I feel elevated, I feel overjoyed at the magnificence with which Maxwell J. Gold paints the stories we think we know, as well as those we do not. The creative liberties he takes add to their delectable passion and his word choice and metaphors are exemplary.

[DeAnne · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm always up for anything that tackles lore, fairytales or mythology, so a look at mythology through a queer lens utilizing prose poetry sounded interesting to me. The writing itself is very lyrical, but it is something that you need to sit with and examine. It's not light, and it's not meant to be. I thought it was a really good exploration of both well known myths and those that may not be well known to a lot of people, through a unique perspective.

[Erin Clements · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Interstellar Flight Press and Netgalley for the ebook.
I'm a Greek myth nerd, I love queer lit, and I love a good poetry collection, so I was incredibly excited to dive into this collection. Unfortunately, I struggled to finish it. It was not at all what I expected it to be -- the poetic form used was not to my taste, and I don't feel like it really added anything. Choosing Greek mythology as the mythos you decide to make more queer is also a choice, given how queer the Greek mythos already is, especially in comparison to other mythologies. I was sadly left disappointed.

[Elizabeth • Lucky Lulu Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gold reframes mythology from a queer, intersectional lens, and I absolutely loved it. His prose poetry is evocative and thought-provoking; something I’ll want to return to over and over again.

This is a must read for queer fans of mythology, and I think a second reading deserves a highlighter and annotations. There’s much to be mined from these poems.

Thank you to NetGalley and Interstellar Press for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ravenclaw Library Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't normally pick up poetry but anOther Mythology by Maxwell I. Gold is a collection of beautifully written poems that gave me a new perspective on the myths of old. I really loved this and would recommend to anyone who even has a passing interest in mythology or who enjoys poetry.
I have added the author's previous works to my seemly never-ending TBR but I cannot wait to see what he comes out with next.