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A Thing of Beauty: Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece
A BBC RADIO 4 BOOK OF THE YEAR
LONGLISTED FOR THE ANGLO-HELLENIC LEAGUE RUNCIMAN AWARD 2022
‘Peter Fiennes’s road trip around Greece [is] engagingly described’ Mary Beard, TLS
‘Fiennes is a brilliant and generous guide through Greece’ Observer
‘A wonderful… really profound meditation on what it means to hope… a gorgeous excursion into Greece and across the centuries on an environmental quest’ BBC Radio 4 Open Book Book of the Year choice by Anita Roy
What do the Greek myths mean to us today?
It’s now a golden age for these tales – they crop up in novels, films and popular culture. But what’s the modern relevance of Theseus, Hera and Pandora? Were these stories ever meant for children? And what’s to be seen now at the places where heroes fought and gods once quarrelled?
Peter Fiennes travels to the sites of some of the most famous Greek myths, on the trail of hope, beauty and a new way of seeing what we have done to our world. Fiennes walks through landscapes – stunning and spoiled – on the trail of dancing activists and Arcadian shepherds, finds the ‘most beautiful beach in Greece’, consults the Oracle, and loses himself in the cities, remote villages and ruins of this storied land.
LONGLISTED FOR THE ANGLO-HELLENIC LEAGUE RUNCIMAN AWARD 2022
‘Peter Fiennes’s road trip around Greece [is] engagingly described’ Mary Beard, TLS
‘Fiennes is a brilliant and generous guide through Greece’ Observer
‘A wonderful… really profound meditation on what it means to hope… a gorgeous excursion into Greece and across the centuries on an environmental quest’ BBC Radio 4 Open Book Book of the Year choice by Anita Roy
What do the Greek myths mean to us today?
It’s now a golden age for these tales – they crop up in novels, films and popular culture. But what’s the modern relevance of Theseus, Hera and Pandora? Were these stories ever meant for children? And what’s to be seen now at the places where heroes fought and gods once quarrelled?
Peter Fiennes travels to the sites of some of the most famous Greek myths, on the trail of hope, beauty and a new way of seeing what we have done to our world. Fiennes walks through landscapes – stunning and spoiled – on the trail of dancing activists and Arcadian shepherds, finds the ‘most beautiful beach in Greece’, consults the Oracle, and loses himself in the cities, remote villages and ruins of this storied land.
304 pages, Paperback
Published August 9, 2022
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608 people want to read
About the author
Peter Fiennes
21 books15 followersPeter Fiennes is the author of To War with God, an account of his grandfather's service as a chaplain in the First World War. As publisher for Time Out, he published their city guides, as well as books about London's trees and Britain's countryside.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 9, 2021
Exploring Greek myths
This book of collected travels and musings takes the reader to the heart of Greek mythology. Fortunately, there is a very helpful Glossary at the back which will help to get a handle on all these ancient characters who populate the narrative (phew! I did Latin at school, so only have a passing knowledge of the intricacies of their – at times internecine – endeavours and relationships). .
There has recently been a marked uplift in interest in the retelling of Greek myths, and several popular novels have found their place in modern literature and this is a great addition for those who want to explore this period of storytelling.
To really demonstrate how Greek mythology is so much part and parcel of literature and culture, the writer chooses to open with Byron…It is striking, once you think to look for it, how much of ancient Greece infuses the poetry and the lives of Byron, Shelley and Keats… Byron, of course, died in Greece at Missolonghi, so he clearly had strong connections to the country.
The author also looks to Pausanius’ Guide to Greece, the original Greek travel guide, for inspiration for his meanderings in this book. He sets off, mindful of the impact of global warming – of course over the Summer months the TV news has highlighted the shocking devastation caused by rampant fires across the country and elsewhere in the world. It is a concerning phenomenon to which he returns on several occasions.
in order to tune in with the culture of ancient Greece, the author records his dreams, as they had huge significance and influence in that ancient culture, so he is channelling the experience through into modern day with a nod to the past.
He is soon speeding through Athens, the starting point of his journey and then on to a variety of destinations. He is also, by the way, a glutton for a good Greek Salad and by the time he gets to Corinth, he already has seventeen salads under his belt, literally!
I would love to have seen more photos from the author’s travels, as he describes the beauty and colour with grace and enthusiasm. His concern for environmental issues is palpable. This is a book, with dense description at times, that will greatly appeal to diehard enthusiasts of Greek Mythology.
This book of collected travels and musings takes the reader to the heart of Greek mythology. Fortunately, there is a very helpful Glossary at the back which will help to get a handle on all these ancient characters who populate the narrative (phew! I did Latin at school, so only have a passing knowledge of the intricacies of their – at times internecine – endeavours and relationships). .
There has recently been a marked uplift in interest in the retelling of Greek myths, and several popular novels have found their place in modern literature and this is a great addition for those who want to explore this period of storytelling.
To really demonstrate how Greek mythology is so much part and parcel of literature and culture, the writer chooses to open with Byron…It is striking, once you think to look for it, how much of ancient Greece infuses the poetry and the lives of Byron, Shelley and Keats… Byron, of course, died in Greece at Missolonghi, so he clearly had strong connections to the country.
The author also looks to Pausanius’ Guide to Greece, the original Greek travel guide, for inspiration for his meanderings in this book. He sets off, mindful of the impact of global warming – of course over the Summer months the TV news has highlighted the shocking devastation caused by rampant fires across the country and elsewhere in the world. It is a concerning phenomenon to which he returns on several occasions.
in order to tune in with the culture of ancient Greece, the author records his dreams, as they had huge significance and influence in that ancient culture, so he is channelling the experience through into modern day with a nod to the past.
He is soon speeding through Athens, the starting point of his journey and then on to a variety of destinations. He is also, by the way, a glutton for a good Greek Salad and by the time he gets to Corinth, he already has seventeen salads under his belt, literally!
I would love to have seen more photos from the author’s travels, as he describes the beauty and colour with grace and enthusiasm. His concern for environmental issues is palpable. This is a book, with dense description at times, that will greatly appeal to diehard enthusiasts of Greek Mythology.
April 24, 2022
More like A Thing of Chaos: Tangents in Mystifying and Muddled Narrative
OK a bit unfair but I couldn't resist and also there were SO MANY TANGENTS. Make up your mind Mr Fiennes, are you writing a travel guide, giving us insights into Greek mythology, or fanboying over Byron? Because I am here for all three but not when combined in this haphazard OOH A SHINY DISTRACTION SORRY WHAT WAS I SAYING kind of way.
OK a bit unfair but I couldn't resist and also there were SO MANY TANGENTS. Make up your mind Mr Fiennes, are you writing a travel guide, giving us insights into Greek mythology, or fanboying over Byron? Because I am here for all three but not when combined in this haphazard OOH A SHINY DISTRACTION SORRY WHAT WAS I SAYING kind of way.
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March 6, 2022i really tried with this! it just felt like i was reading a first draft. and it's solid first draft, but the tone of the writing intermingled with ramblings on climate change and myth and travel was too sparse to make it feel complete.
January 19, 2022
The point about classical tales is that they are a recollection of a bygone age, telling the stories of the gods and their dealings with lesser entities and their run-ins with mere mortals. These stories have entertained and informed people for over two millennia now, but do they have any relevance to the modern age and life in the fast-paced relentless world we live in.
Someone who wants to see if their messages in the myths are still relevant today is Peter Fiennes. It is a literal and a physical journey to the beautiful country of Greece travel to the locations and walk through the beautiful land and seascapes. To help him navigate these ancient paths he refers to Pausanius’ Guide to Greece, a collection of ten volumes that was written in the second century AD. He is also in search of the best Greek salad too as he travels from Athens, across the Peloponnese, tramps around the ruins of Corinth, onto Olympia and wanders around Delphi.
It is a well-trodden path and he is following the literary footsteps of Henry Miller, Patrick Leigh Fermor and of course, Byron. As well as looking back the past 2000 years and more, Fiennes is looking at the state of the country now and considering the impact that climate change will have.
I didn’t think that it was as focused as his previous two books and it felt more whimsical, but I think that this was the effect he was going for. He recounts the dreams that he has on his travels, hoping to find that the ancient landscape has given them meaning. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of classical stories and do not know all of them. Fiennes does make them relevant though. However, I did like the travel aspect of this book a lot. The descriptions of the landscapes that he passes through on foot or by bus are quite evocative and his easy-going character brings out the best in the people he meets. Good to hear that he met up with Julian Hoffman too who takes him to some of the wildlife spots in Greece and highlights some of the impending ecological issues that the country will face. Good stuff and if you like Greece then this should be on your reading list.
Someone who wants to see if their messages in the myths are still relevant today is Peter Fiennes. It is a literal and a physical journey to the beautiful country of Greece travel to the locations and walk through the beautiful land and seascapes. To help him navigate these ancient paths he refers to Pausanius’ Guide to Greece, a collection of ten volumes that was written in the second century AD. He is also in search of the best Greek salad too as he travels from Athens, across the Peloponnese, tramps around the ruins of Corinth, onto Olympia and wanders around Delphi.
It is a well-trodden path and he is following the literary footsteps of Henry Miller, Patrick Leigh Fermor and of course, Byron. As well as looking back the past 2000 years and more, Fiennes is looking at the state of the country now and considering the impact that climate change will have.
I didn’t think that it was as focused as his previous two books and it felt more whimsical, but I think that this was the effect he was going for. He recounts the dreams that he has on his travels, hoping to find that the ancient landscape has given them meaning. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of classical stories and do not know all of them. Fiennes does make them relevant though. However, I did like the travel aspect of this book a lot. The descriptions of the landscapes that he passes through on foot or by bus are quite evocative and his easy-going character brings out the best in the people he meets. Good to hear that he met up with Julian Hoffman too who takes him to some of the wildlife spots in Greece and highlights some of the impending ecological issues that the country will face. Good stuff and if you like Greece then this should be on your reading list.
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November 11, 2024This book is a travel journal with many interesting tangents about the ancients' world view (dreams are always to be received and analyzed as portents, travel is a madness or punishment that harries the sufferer away from the ideal state of home, nymphs can live to a calculated 640 000 years, Athenian wealth depended on silver mines manned by 20 000 Greek slaves who had to suffer darkness and congestions in the pits and lack of oxygen or semblance of rest and mercury poisoning, Hesiod disliked women and Pausanias disliked colonisation) and tangents about the modern world view (at the time of writing, the Greek government, according to this book, was on the verge of signing away a blank cheque for oil and gas extraction throughout Greece's most premium wilderness to a consortium of oil companies for an unimpeded 25 years).
December 8, 2023
In all fairness, I had very specific expectations that I projected onto this book. I wanted to read about travels through Greece and have it connecting it to cool spots, mythology, history, and modern day. I wanted it to be my own personal tour guide. For the first 50 pages it was just that and I was so happy.
But it very quickly became what the book is actually about which is climate change and the search for hope while the author travels through Greece. I’m very bias because it’s seldom I’ll have any new revelations or perspectives on climate change, I think about it literally all the time. So I felt a little past the gloom of witnessing plastic on Greece’s beaches and feeling sad. Like yes obviosuly you have to have hope (and apply it) or you’ll have depression, pick your poison. I also really don’t like forced immediate reflections, as in having an experience and immediately being like oh this made me question all of reality today and this is a representation of society and now I’m a changed person… which the author did a lot. Constant and immediate reflections on experiences are premature and unnecessary. No one experiences something and immediately understands the impact of that experience on their life.
But it very quickly became what the book is actually about which is climate change and the search for hope while the author travels through Greece. I’m very bias because it’s seldom I’ll have any new revelations or perspectives on climate change, I think about it literally all the time. So I felt a little past the gloom of witnessing plastic on Greece’s beaches and feeling sad. Like yes obviosuly you have to have hope (and apply it) or you’ll have depression, pick your poison. I also really don’t like forced immediate reflections, as in having an experience and immediately being like oh this made me question all of reality today and this is a representation of society and now I’m a changed person… which the author did a lot. Constant and immediate reflections on experiences are premature and unnecessary. No one experiences something and immediately understands the impact of that experience on their life.
October 18, 2021
I’d been looking forward to reading Peter Fiennes’ new book A Thing of Beauty for since its first mentions on social media, having read and reviewed its wonderful predecessor Footnotes (2019, Oneworld Publications) back in Issue 4 of The Pilgrim. I was hoping that I’d enjoy this book as much as the last, as I’m sure we all do when picking up the new book by an author whose work we’ve enjoyed.
And it is hope that really is central to A Thing of Beauty, hope not just the author’s future, nor just humankind’s future but a hope that finds its roots amid the ancient Greeks, the gods and the heroes who have not only been the fascination of historians, writers, cinema, philosophers and poets for the past numerous thousands of years, so I found it fitting that one of the main sources of inspiration within the book was Lord Byron, whose work and life embraced Greece with only a passion Byron could assume. His almost legendary exploits and untimely death at the age of 36 whilst supporting the country’s independence efforts only add to the life of one of the country’s greatest poets.
Although it is hope playing a central role, it is Pandora’s hope that is a central focus in A Thing of Beauty, and in an attempt to uncover this mystery the author travels to Greece, exploring the ancient sites, sampling the local culture, even asking a question of the Oracle of Delphi as to this most elusive of subjects.
However, A Thing of beauty is a book with more twists and turns than the Greek roads, as amid the golden age of Greek myths there exists a parallel between the excesses of that age and our current climes amid covid, mass extinctions, forest fires and a climate emergency, Fiennes shows a connection between the ancient myths of those who, like Icarus, fly too close to the sun.
Peter Fiennes has a way of making even the most serious of subjects enjoyable and riveting to the end, and A Thing of Beauty is certainly no exception, this is great travel writing that makes the reader a part of the adventure, and one of the most engaging and enjoyable books I’ve read this year and ‘Well worth a read’ (if you’ll pardon my little in-joke there?)
And it is hope that really is central to A Thing of Beauty, hope not just the author’s future, nor just humankind’s future but a hope that finds its roots amid the ancient Greeks, the gods and the heroes who have not only been the fascination of historians, writers, cinema, philosophers and poets for the past numerous thousands of years, so I found it fitting that one of the main sources of inspiration within the book was Lord Byron, whose work and life embraced Greece with only a passion Byron could assume. His almost legendary exploits and untimely death at the age of 36 whilst supporting the country’s independence efforts only add to the life of one of the country’s greatest poets.
Although it is hope playing a central role, it is Pandora’s hope that is a central focus in A Thing of Beauty, and in an attempt to uncover this mystery the author travels to Greece, exploring the ancient sites, sampling the local culture, even asking a question of the Oracle of Delphi as to this most elusive of subjects.
However, A Thing of beauty is a book with more twists and turns than the Greek roads, as amid the golden age of Greek myths there exists a parallel between the excesses of that age and our current climes amid covid, mass extinctions, forest fires and a climate emergency, Fiennes shows a connection between the ancient myths of those who, like Icarus, fly too close to the sun.
Peter Fiennes has a way of making even the most serious of subjects enjoyable and riveting to the end, and A Thing of Beauty is certainly no exception, this is great travel writing that makes the reader a part of the adventure, and one of the most engaging and enjoyable books I’ve read this year and ‘Well worth a read’ (if you’ll pardon my little in-joke there?)
May 16, 2024
I will say, what this book is attempting to accomplish is incredibly challenging. Greece is a complex place and to try to blend in many of its facet into one succinct book (in a short time frame) is difficult. With that in mind, however, this book is a mess.
The book is advertised as being a travel guide blended with Greek mythology as it pertains to hope in a country facing environment crises. The travel part did not happen chronologically- oftentimes he would be talking about one place and then another and then another and back to the first. It is difficult to follow, and I imagine more so if you are unfamiliar with the Greek geography (which is problematic if you’re reading this as a guide). The Ancient Greek mythology references are overdone and seems like a superficial way to express legitimate Modern Greek issues. The environmental issues lack depth- especially when prioritizing the connection between local people’s feelings of environmental hope with mythology. There are very real issues here that could been expanded on (I.e., Santorini’s tourist impact, the temperatures leading to desertification and fires, concerns about the islands having clean water), and perhaps how the country’s centuries of instability heightens these issues rather than mythology. Because all of these things are happening in a non-linear way, the book is painfully difficult to follow and is an injustice to the real challenges that exist in Greece.
With more time and a good editor this book could’ve been excellent. Greece needs a book that brings in culture, perspectives, history and emergency. Because it was rushed, this book should’ve been remarketed as a man’s journal and existential thoughts while traveling in the complicated, old and ever changing country of Greece.
The book is advertised as being a travel guide blended with Greek mythology as it pertains to hope in a country facing environment crises. The travel part did not happen chronologically- oftentimes he would be talking about one place and then another and then another and back to the first. It is difficult to follow, and I imagine more so if you are unfamiliar with the Greek geography (which is problematic if you’re reading this as a guide). The Ancient Greek mythology references are overdone and seems like a superficial way to express legitimate Modern Greek issues. The environmental issues lack depth- especially when prioritizing the connection between local people’s feelings of environmental hope with mythology. There are very real issues here that could been expanded on (I.e., Santorini’s tourist impact, the temperatures leading to desertification and fires, concerns about the islands having clean water), and perhaps how the country’s centuries of instability heightens these issues rather than mythology. Because all of these things are happening in a non-linear way, the book is painfully difficult to follow and is an injustice to the real challenges that exist in Greece.
With more time and a good editor this book could’ve been excellent. Greece needs a book that brings in culture, perspectives, history and emergency. Because it was rushed, this book should’ve been remarketed as a man’s journal and existential thoughts while traveling in the complicated, old and ever changing country of Greece.
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December 16, 2021I'm kind of nervous rating this book as I see so many four and five stars.
It makes me feel I must have missed out on something...
What I was hoping for was a travel guide I guess filled with mythical anecdotes linked to places visited
What I got, I felt, was nagging about climate change, covid, which, still being stuck in the very middle of it, I prefer not to read about and pretend it isn't here when I try to escape in a book, and well, not much hope I'm afraid. I got a really negative, kind of depressed even, vibe throughout the book...
But again: the bit on covid, climate change, oh and jeremy clarkson is on me as was my hope for it to be a funny, anecdotical travel guide mixed with myths.
The man does know his Greek mythology though, no doubt about that
Oh and all you four star reviews, please change my mind, as I do feel I somehow missed the most important bit.
It makes me feel I must have missed out on something...
What I was hoping for was a travel guide I guess filled with mythical anecdotes linked to places visited
What I got, I felt, was nagging about climate change, covid, which, still being stuck in the very middle of it, I prefer not to read about and pretend it isn't here when I try to escape in a book, and well, not much hope I'm afraid. I got a really negative, kind of depressed even, vibe throughout the book...
But again: the bit on covid, climate change, oh and jeremy clarkson is on me as was my hope for it to be a funny, anecdotical travel guide mixed with myths.
The man does know his Greek mythology though, no doubt about that
Oh and all you four star reviews, please change my mind, as I do feel I somehow missed the most important bit.
June 30, 2022
3.5+ stars
This was a very strange little book. It doesn't have a clear 'plot' or structure, it's mostly the author traveling through bits of Greece and his musings on hope, beauty, Byron and the ongoing climate/environmental catastrophe. There's a moment where he says that "it shouldn't be controversial to say there's too many of us", which is a problematic statement and he does adjust it later on.
That being said, his chaotic writing was often fun to read (he is quite funny) and his descriptions of the places he visits were vivid and enjoyable.
This was a very strange little book. It doesn't have a clear 'plot' or structure, it's mostly the author traveling through bits of Greece and his musings on hope, beauty, Byron and the ongoing climate/environmental catastrophe. There's a moment where he says that "it shouldn't be controversial to say there's too many of us", which is a problematic statement and he does adjust it later on.
That being said, his chaotic writing was often fun to read (he is quite funny) and his descriptions of the places he visits were vivid and enjoyable.
October 13, 2022
Pleasant enough. A nice light tone, but sometimes it was too dense with recounting mythology, or with discussing how the world will end. I also understand why he chose to recount his dreams, but it sort of bored me. The message about hope throughout was a nice uplifting notion though. Overall, an interesting and decent read, but nothing revolutionary. I’d definitely recommend it to some of my d fiends who are massive mythology fans - I think for them this would be a great entry into the world of travel literature.
December 15, 2021
This was a research book for me, picking up neatly packaged scraps of the mythology to hand-feed my tourists... And the book more than did the job, I've underlined a ton of little facts. But the author's overarching message seems kind of, not to sound too Tumblr activist, privileged person vs the real world. If you want to find hope, find a cause. Or just keep writing. Not feeling sympathetic about his whining about the world going to hell.
March 20, 2024
The escapism of Greek myths mixed with reality of travelling in modern Greece during covid/climate change
I’d like to give more than 3 stars but beyond learning a lot about Greek myths it didn’t really go anywhere
I’d like to give more than 3 stars but beyond learning a lot about Greek myths it didn’t really go anywhere
April 13, 2024
I appreciated Fiennes’ sensibility - the juxtaposition of mythical and modern Greece, the search for Hope in a world wracked by war, over-consumption, climate change, and Covid, and the wry self awareness that looking for answers in Greece is probably useless, but maybe, just maybe, not.
March 12, 2025
Dreadful
February 6, 2022
I liked the bits about greek mythology. I just wished there was more of them and less babbling. I wasn’t really ready for the whole focus on climate change/we are fudged because we’re destroying the earth.
June 8, 2023
Wow, this was lovely. I'm so deeply in love with this as a concept and a book. I saw it by chance one day, and to be honest, it felt a little like divine providence, and now that I read it I think it absolutely was. To whichever deity put this book in my path, thank you. It's beautifully written and so deeply evocative. It makes me ache for my travels in Greece (to think, that was a month ago!), and it made me feel the things I felt there again, as if brand-new. The serenity of the beaches on Naxos, the sense of awe and holiness at Delphi, it was all contained here in these pages. It was also just really cool to read about some places I'd been to and recognize them in the words, understand what Peter Fiennes is saying and how he felt, and also to read about other places I've yet to go to. I will admit it didn't end up being quite as mythological as I expected, but it was still an incredible read. I zoomed through the book, which doesn't happen very frequently these days. I love how it mixes history and myth and the environment, my three favourite things, and I love all the stories about the people he met too. Also, a side note, I love the way Fiennes treats the gods in this. It's easy to dismiss them, and I'm glad he didn't. I just can't recommend it enough. I definitely feel like it's exactly the kind of book I needed in my life now.
February 26, 2023
As the book is anchored by the search for Hope, it feels only fitting to start my review in the same manner. When I picked this book up from the shelf of my local Waterstones I hoped it would be a fix for my wanderlust at the beginning of 2023. A desire to virtually travel back to Greece in a blend of reality and mythical stories. It fell short...
I would not say this was due to the travel aspect of the book or the blending of mythology. These were good. However, the inclusion of stories around Lord Byron (the poet) seemed out of place and only added irrelevant content, in my humble opinion.
I also found the direct attacks to Jeremy Clarkson and calls for his demise as irresponsible. Such statements in a book that does not concern Jeremy Clarkson are in my opinion dangerous when voiced in a book that can be read by various people and can influence opinions and actions.
Unless you are out of books to read you can safely skip this one.
I would not say this was due to the travel aspect of the book or the blending of mythology. These were good. However, the inclusion of stories around Lord Byron (the poet) seemed out of place and only added irrelevant content, in my humble opinion.
I also found the direct attacks to Jeremy Clarkson and calls for his demise as irresponsible. Such statements in a book that does not concern Jeremy Clarkson are in my opinion dangerous when voiced in a book that can be read by various people and can influence opinions and actions.
Unless you are out of books to read you can safely skip this one.
February 25, 2022
Let us, for a moment, set aside the author's sometimes overwrought concerns about the environment. Oil: bad. Protestors dancing in traditional Epirote costume: Good. The end of the world is approximately next Wednesday.
Leaving the angst aside, this is a wonderful book. Peter Fiennes had his plans disrupted by Covid 19, but he went to Greece in 2021 and travelled around the coasts of the country, much the way my friends and I did in 2016. Among the big hits for Fiennes, as they were for us, are Athens, Corinth, Epidavros, Mycenae, Delphi, and Olympia. What's novel about his approach is that he has looked into the particular Greek myths associated with each place. (It is sometimes irritating that he refers to a place quite a lot, but never visits it. Given the number of times Fiennes mentions Delos, "the floating island," I would have liked to see his take on it. Delos has its attractions, but when we were there it was far too crowded with cruise ship tourists.)
Fiennes has done his research, and the Glossary and the Select Bibliography are useful resources. He relies a lot on Pausanias, whose travel guide is 2,000 years old, but still available from Penguin. (I didn't take Pausanias to Greece, but my friend Dave did have a copy.) He has obviously read assiduously in Ovid and Hesiod and Homer.
It is an interesting conceit that Fiennes designates Lord Bryon, who died in Greece, his "spirit guide" for this journey. It is an interesting journey, and an entertaining one, and I'm sure Fiennes is glad that he has seen Greece before the world comes to a complete stop - next Wednesday.
Leaving the angst aside, this is a wonderful book. Peter Fiennes had his plans disrupted by Covid 19, but he went to Greece in 2021 and travelled around the coasts of the country, much the way my friends and I did in 2016. Among the big hits for Fiennes, as they were for us, are Athens, Corinth, Epidavros, Mycenae, Delphi, and Olympia. What's novel about his approach is that he has looked into the particular Greek myths associated with each place. (It is sometimes irritating that he refers to a place quite a lot, but never visits it. Given the number of times Fiennes mentions Delos, "the floating island," I would have liked to see his take on it. Delos has its attractions, but when we were there it was far too crowded with cruise ship tourists.)
Fiennes has done his research, and the Glossary and the Select Bibliography are useful resources. He relies a lot on Pausanias, whose travel guide is 2,000 years old, but still available from Penguin. (I didn't take Pausanias to Greece, but my friend Dave did have a copy.) He has obviously read assiduously in Ovid and Hesiod and Homer.
It is an interesting conceit that Fiennes designates Lord Bryon, who died in Greece, his "spirit guide" for this journey. It is an interesting journey, and an entertaining one, and I'm sure Fiennes is glad that he has seen Greece before the world comes to a complete stop - next Wednesday.
June 4, 2022
While I would hesitate to give this 5 stars, its a shame this worthwhile book has an average of 3.5 stars as it deserves more. the premise of a travel memoir mixed with mythology had me wary of self-indulgence but the author avoided it for the most part. I would say 80% of his insider asides wrapped in parentheses would have been better off omitted. I guess the editor lost the argument there. In the end it is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of our place in the world, beauty, myth, our climate crisis and the role of hope.
May 4, 2022
I was hoping for a book that would get me excited for an upcoming trip and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the references to mythological characters as well as to current issues such as humanity's role in the climate crisis, and Covid.
Tying the loose chapters together was the author's exploration of Hope. Is it good? Or is it ultimately what will destroy us? Pandora maybe should have let it out of the box, along with all the ills of mankind she released.
Tying the loose chapters together was the author's exploration of Hope. Is it good? Or is it ultimately what will destroy us? Pandora maybe should have let it out of the box, along with all the ills of mankind she released.
June 2, 2022
I really struggled with this. I picked it up from a 2nd hand book shop as something to read on holiday. I have been interested in learning more about greek mythology for some time. I just couldn't get into this at all, it felt disorganised, and some of the references were lost on me, particularly the comments whenever Hyacinth was mentioned. Maybe i missed something early on in the book. I had to give up about half way I'm afraid, too many other books are calling
October 2, 2022
Advertised as a travel book with a focus on mythical Greece, it it’s part travel writing, part telling the stories of Ancient Greece, partly a polemic on climate change. It fails miserably on all parts. I think it would have benefited from better editing, for example the dreams added nothing to the conversation. It jumped from place to place and idea to idea making following its thread tedious and difficult. At bare minimum if needed some maps to illustrate the routes he was taking
May 3, 2023
really smart concept but incredibly lackluster execution! this book actually took me a year and a half to read and i came 50 pages away from finishing before leaving it at a winery. im going to count it as completed anyway.
fiennes’ summarization of the myths was confusing and he contradicted every one of his own statements. i understand that there are multiple versions of every story but no one cares. just pick the one you like and run with it.
fiennes’ summarization of the myths was confusing and he contradicted every one of his own statements. i understand that there are multiple versions of every story but no one cares. just pick the one you like and run with it.
December 10, 2023
Very intense stream of consciousness style of writing which made me read really slow. But I enjoyed the combination of Greek mythology, current Greek culture, historical site information, and personal narrative. A theme that was discussed throughout the book was hope which is a pleasant topic to think about in contrast to some of the current cultural, ecological, and political situations that the book describes.
January 19, 2023
Beautiful book that takes you through Greece with a focus on mythology and philosophy. Heavily eco-centric that discusses the interrelationship between hope, humanity and our future. Written with care and research, in an open and not snobbish way (that I find most myth/philosophical books are). Would recommend:)
November 27, 2023
A funny, compelling travel journey that combines two of my favourite things: Greek mythology and travelling around Greece! The highest compliment I can give this book is that I am now thinking of doing the journey this book describes as it’s such a vivid telling of the beauties of modern day Greece combined with the stories of the past and what that can tell us about the future!
October 7, 2022
A travelogue around Greece, rich in mythology and Byronic history. Reflecting on life and meaning, why we bother, hope, and loss. It was kind of an emotional ride ngl. Very good travelogue, thoroughly enjoyed.
January 29, 2023
'Where is Pandoras hope?'
I enjoyed this book very much. Peter Fiennes is a beautiful writer. I especially enjoyed the well written in F bomb.
This book has a much deeper meaning, and we should all get our note books out for the last chapters.
I enjoyed this book very much. Peter Fiennes is a beautiful writer. I especially enjoyed the well written in F bomb.
This book has a much deeper meaning, and we should all get our note books out for the last chapters.
February 20, 2024
This was a random library find and ultimately not what I expected it to be. I really enjoyed the parts that tied back to Greek mythology and history, but these were fewer and further between than I would have liked. Reads a lot like Bill Bryson.
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