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Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines
Find out what happened when King Midas was granted his wish, how Icarus flew too close to the sun and discover the adventures of Jason and his crew, The Argonauts. Learn about the interplay between mortals and their gods in stories of love, betrayal, infatuation and punishment.
Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
In Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines, classicist and writer Jean Menzies has brought together eleven retellings of famous Greek Myths from the late 19th and early twentieth centuries. The result? An enlightening and lively volume of stories and a treat for all fans of the Greek Mythology.
Greek Myths have been part of Western culture since they were first set down by the ancients. The fact that there is no one definitive account means that through the centuries the stories have been ripe for reinterpretation according to the politics and fashions of the time. In this book, with stories written by the likes of Andrew and Jean Lang, Thomas Bullfinch and H A Guerber, each story has been chosen for its clarity and vivacity.
Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover.
In Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines, classicist and writer Jean Menzies has brought together eleven retellings of famous Greek Myths from the late 19th and early twentieth centuries. The result? An enlightening and lively volume of stories and a treat for all fans of the Greek Mythology.
Greek Myths have been part of Western culture since they were first set down by the ancients. The fact that there is no one definitive account means that through the centuries the stories have been ripe for reinterpretation according to the politics and fashions of the time. In this book, with stories written by the likes of Andrew and Jean Lang, Thomas Bullfinch and H A Guerber, each story has been chosen for its clarity and vivacity.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 25, 2023
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288 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 21, 2023
Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines written by various authors and edited by Jean Menzies is a collection of tales of men and women, mortals, just like you or I.
There are stories of famous heroes, Zeus Sons, Heracles who did when no one else could and Perseus, the slayer of the gorgon Medusa.
The tales of powerful women, Atalanta and Circe, as so as the ambitious men, Jason and Theseus.
Bellerophon, the slayer of devourer Chimaera, whose forepart was like a lion, her back like a dragon, and in the middle she was a goat.
The story of the first hero of Greek mythology, Cadmus who sets out across the sea to rescue his sister Europa, who was abducted by the god Zeus in the form of a bull.
There are stories of poor ones, King Midas, not every wish comes good, even by Dionysus god himself; Icarus, the son of Daedalus, the architect of the labyrinth of Crete, who did much enjoy himself with wings; and Phaethon who thought could drive the chariot like his father Helios.
Lovers stories, blissfully romantic unions of Admetus and Alcestis; the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice; in ancient Greek myth Pygmalion and Galatea known as one of the strangest love stories; and Ceyx and Halcyone, who considered themselves akin to Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of Olympus, and the gods do not refrain from punishing those who did compare so.
Overall, this was a collection of brief and interesting tales to know of Greek heroes with a variety of good and moderate stories.
My huge thanks to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for ARC, I have given my honest review.
There are stories of famous heroes, Zeus Sons, Heracles who did when no one else could and Perseus, the slayer of the gorgon Medusa.
The tales of powerful women, Atalanta and Circe, as so as the ambitious men, Jason and Theseus.
Bellerophon, the slayer of devourer Chimaera, whose forepart was like a lion, her back like a dragon, and in the middle she was a goat.
The story of the first hero of Greek mythology, Cadmus who sets out across the sea to rescue his sister Europa, who was abducted by the god Zeus in the form of a bull.
There are stories of poor ones, King Midas, not every wish comes good, even by Dionysus god himself; Icarus, the son of Daedalus, the architect of the labyrinth of Crete, who did much enjoy himself with wings; and Phaethon who thought could drive the chariot like his father Helios.
Lovers stories, blissfully romantic unions of Admetus and Alcestis; the tragic love story of Orpheus and Eurydice; in ancient Greek myth Pygmalion and Galatea known as one of the strangest love stories; and Ceyx and Halcyone, who considered themselves akin to Zeus and Hera, the king and queen of Olympus, and the gods do not refrain from punishing those who did compare so.
Overall, this was a collection of brief and interesting tales to know of Greek heroes with a variety of good and moderate stories.
My huge thanks to Pan Macmillan via NetGalley for ARC, I have given my honest review.
April 5, 2023
Similar to the other title in this series, but this one focuses on the heroes of Greek Myths, and these stories were more familiar to me. That said, there was also plenty here I didn't know. With the current popularity of 're-telling of the Greek Myths, I think these books make a great addition to any library. Interesting to see the Victorian and Edwardian interpretation of these myths.
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
*Many thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.*
June 1, 2023
Having enjoyed another of the authors books in this series, I am pleased that I also enjoyed reading Heroes and Heroines.
Heroes and Heroines features Victorian and Edwardian retellings of well-known stories from Greek myth such as the story of King Midas, Heracles (Hercules), Perseus and Icarus, along with some I had not heard before.
Given how long ago these stories were written, I was surprised and pleased to find that all of the stories were well written and easy to understand, so that a reader with no prior knowledge of the Greek myths could enjoy them, without needing to be bogged down by too much detail.
*Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of #GreekMythsHeroesandHeroines.
Heroes and Heroines features Victorian and Edwardian retellings of well-known stories from Greek myth such as the story of King Midas, Heracles (Hercules), Perseus and Icarus, along with some I had not heard before.
Given how long ago these stories were written, I was surprised and pleased to find that all of the stories were well written and easy to understand, so that a reader with no prior knowledge of the Greek myths could enjoy them, without needing to be bogged down by too much detail.
*Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of #GreekMythsHeroesandHeroines.
May 12, 2025
Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines by Jean Menzies (Hardback Edition)
“Even in the darkest of trials, the heroes of myth show us that courage can be found where you least expect it.” This quote from the book shows what Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines is all about—bravery, adventure, and learning to face hard challenges. The book is written by Jean Menzies, a historian who knows a lot about ancient stories. This hardback version is full of beautiful pictures and exciting stories that are fun to read and easy to understand.
This book is a collection of Greek myths, which are old stories from ancient Greece. These myths are filled with brave heroes and heroines, magical creatures, powerful gods, and tricky problems to solve. Each chapter tells the story of a different character, like Perseus or Atalanta, and their journey to become a hero. Instead of being one long story, the book is made up of smaller ones, so you can read it a little at a time.
The characters in the book are interesting and brave, but they also make mistakes and feel scared sometimes. This makes them feel real, even though they lived in a world of monsters and magic. Many of the characters face battles, go on long journeys, or try to fix problems in their families. These conflicts make the stories exciting, and by the end, most of them learn something important or grow stronger.
Jean Menzies does a great job making the old myths easier to read. Her writing is clear and thoughtful, and she explains hard ideas in a way that makes sense. The stories are short, but still full of action and meaning. One of the best parts of the book is that it includes both heroes and heroines—girls as well as boys—who get to go on big adventures. That makes it feel fair and more fun for everyone.
The illustrations in the book are colorful and beautiful. They help show what the characters and scenes look like, which is great for readers who like pictures along with the text. It also makes the book more fun to flip through and enjoy even if you're not reading every word.
This book is perfect for middle school readers or anyone who likes fantasy, mythology, or adventure stories. Adults might enjoy it too because it is well-written and creative. It’s a great book to read alone or with family or classmates.
In the end, Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines is a fun, exciting book that teaches us lessons about being brave, smart, and kind. It shows that anyone—boy or girl—can be a hero in their own way. If you like books with action, gods and monsters, or ancient stories, this is a great choice for you.
“Even in the darkest of trials, the heroes of myth show us that courage can be found where you least expect it.” This quote from the book shows what Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines is all about—bravery, adventure, and learning to face hard challenges. The book is written by Jean Menzies, a historian who knows a lot about ancient stories. This hardback version is full of beautiful pictures and exciting stories that are fun to read and easy to understand.
This book is a collection of Greek myths, which are old stories from ancient Greece. These myths are filled with brave heroes and heroines, magical creatures, powerful gods, and tricky problems to solve. Each chapter tells the story of a different character, like Perseus or Atalanta, and their journey to become a hero. Instead of being one long story, the book is made up of smaller ones, so you can read it a little at a time.
The characters in the book are interesting and brave, but they also make mistakes and feel scared sometimes. This makes them feel real, even though they lived in a world of monsters and magic. Many of the characters face battles, go on long journeys, or try to fix problems in their families. These conflicts make the stories exciting, and by the end, most of them learn something important or grow stronger.
Jean Menzies does a great job making the old myths easier to read. Her writing is clear and thoughtful, and she explains hard ideas in a way that makes sense. The stories are short, but still full of action and meaning. One of the best parts of the book is that it includes both heroes and heroines—girls as well as boys—who get to go on big adventures. That makes it feel fair and more fun for everyone.
The illustrations in the book are colorful and beautiful. They help show what the characters and scenes look like, which is great for readers who like pictures along with the text. It also makes the book more fun to flip through and enjoy even if you're not reading every word.
This book is perfect for middle school readers or anyone who likes fantasy, mythology, or adventure stories. Adults might enjoy it too because it is well-written and creative. It’s a great book to read alone or with family or classmates.
In the end, Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines is a fun, exciting book that teaches us lessons about being brave, smart, and kind. It shows that anyone—boy or girl—can be a hero in their own way. If you like books with action, gods and monsters, or ancient stories, this is a great choice for you.
June 18, 2023
Greek Myths: Heroes and Heroines, edited by Jean Menzies
Publication date: 20 June 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
~~~~~
As a companion to Greek Myths: Gods and Goddesses, Jean Menzies has brought together in this book eleven retellings of famous Greek Myths from the late 19th and early twentieth centuries about the interplay between mortals and their gods in stories of love, betrayal, infatuation and punishment.
~~~~~
As I mentioned in my review of Gods and Goddesses, I really enjoy learning more about the original myths on which some of my favourite retellings are based on.
But what I found particularly interesting in this book is how the characters are - obviously - deeply influenced by their writers and the times they were written in. In Circe's Palace by Nathaniel Hawthorne, when Odysseus realises that Circe has enchanted his men and turned them into pigs, he pulls a sword on her. She is "almost killed by the mere fright," she and her maidens fall "on their knees, wringing their hands and screaming for mercy." How interesting to compare this to Madeline Miller's Circe, who is such a strong, capable and ruthless character, you would never imagine her on her knees begging a man for mercy or simply frightened at the sight of a sword.
This book also shows how mortals are at the mercy of the Gods' whims. If you are lucky like Pygmalion to have Aphrodite in your corner, you get to have a happy ending with your statue come to life. But if like Heracles/Hercules, you're unlucky enough to have Hera bear a never-ending grudge against you, you're sent from one life-threatening task to another because the Goddess is so desperate to be rid of you through no fault of your own.
Once again, this book is perfectly suited as an introduction to those myths as well as a deeper dive if you're already knowledgeable on the subject.
~~~~~
Publication date: 20 June 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
~~~~~
As a companion to Greek Myths: Gods and Goddesses, Jean Menzies has brought together in this book eleven retellings of famous Greek Myths from the late 19th and early twentieth centuries about the interplay between mortals and their gods in stories of love, betrayal, infatuation and punishment.
~~~~~
As I mentioned in my review of Gods and Goddesses, I really enjoy learning more about the original myths on which some of my favourite retellings are based on.
But what I found particularly interesting in this book is how the characters are - obviously - deeply influenced by their writers and the times they were written in. In Circe's Palace by Nathaniel Hawthorne, when Odysseus realises that Circe has enchanted his men and turned them into pigs, he pulls a sword on her. She is "almost killed by the mere fright," she and her maidens fall "on their knees, wringing their hands and screaming for mercy." How interesting to compare this to Madeline Miller's Circe, who is such a strong, capable and ruthless character, you would never imagine her on her knees begging a man for mercy or simply frightened at the sight of a sword.
This book also shows how mortals are at the mercy of the Gods' whims. If you are lucky like Pygmalion to have Aphrodite in your corner, you get to have a happy ending with your statue come to life. But if like Heracles/Hercules, you're unlucky enough to have Hera bear a never-ending grudge against you, you're sent from one life-threatening task to another because the Goddess is so desperate to be rid of you through no fault of your own.
Once again, this book is perfectly suited as an introduction to those myths as well as a deeper dive if you're already knowledgeable on the subject.
~~~~~
December 19, 2025
A small yet cute book with 238 pages to read of Greek myths of heroes and heroines and listening to pagan music as I read the stories of love, pain, sadness, heartbreak and war and lost souls of not just humans but even the gods themselves.
We all know the typical stories of Hercules, Odysseus, and Perseus.
There are stories I haven't heard of and only found out while reading these books, like the story of Cadmus and Europa, who were brother and sister, and as Europa was kidnapped by Zeus, nobody really knows, though Cadmus was sent by his father to travel all the seas and lands and never return until he found his sister, and Cadmus promised he'd never return until he found his sister, but this never happened, as on Cadmus's journey and adventure, he ended up creating his own land and kingdom and forgot all about finding his sister.
Then there was the story of Bellerophon, who was accused of raping King Proetus' wife.
It was Queen Anetla herself who made these fake accusations against him because Bellerophon refused to sleep with her.
Obviously, King Proetus believed his wife over Bellerophon, and the king sent him away to King Lobates to have him killed.
King Lobates received Bellerophon and welcomed him at the start with open arms until he found out who he was, and King Proetus wanted him dead.
Then King Lobates sent Bellerophon to many challenging tasks, hoping he wouldn't come back, but Bellerophon kept coming back with success after success, and maybe because he had the protection of the gods, as he was given the companion Pegasus, and Bellerophon would be the first to ride and meet Pegasus even before Hercules.
The Bellerophon legend continued to grow after he defeated and killed the terrifying beast Chimaera, who breathed fire and had the body of a lion, the head of a goat, and the tail of a snake.
These two stories alone are what stood out for me the most in this book, but other than that, this book is a fantastic read. I'd recommend it. 🖤✨️
We all know the typical stories of Hercules, Odysseus, and Perseus.
There are stories I haven't heard of and only found out while reading these books, like the story of Cadmus and Europa, who were brother and sister, and as Europa was kidnapped by Zeus, nobody really knows, though Cadmus was sent by his father to travel all the seas and lands and never return until he found his sister, and Cadmus promised he'd never return until he found his sister, but this never happened, as on Cadmus's journey and adventure, he ended up creating his own land and kingdom and forgot all about finding his sister.
Then there was the story of Bellerophon, who was accused of raping King Proetus' wife.
It was Queen Anetla herself who made these fake accusations against him because Bellerophon refused to sleep with her.
Obviously, King Proetus believed his wife over Bellerophon, and the king sent him away to King Lobates to have him killed.
King Lobates received Bellerophon and welcomed him at the start with open arms until he found out who he was, and King Proetus wanted him dead.
Then King Lobates sent Bellerophon to many challenging tasks, hoping he wouldn't come back, but Bellerophon kept coming back with success after success, and maybe because he had the protection of the gods, as he was given the companion Pegasus, and Bellerophon would be the first to ride and meet Pegasus even before Hercules.
The Bellerophon legend continued to grow after he defeated and killed the terrifying beast Chimaera, who breathed fire and had the body of a lion, the head of a goat, and the tail of a snake.
These two stories alone are what stood out for me the most in this book, but other than that, this book is a fantastic read. I'd recommend it. 🖤✨️
September 10, 2023
The Mythologist
When I was a small boy, I recall visiting the house of my Great-aunt Annie, a retired schoolmistress. To keep me and my brothers quiet and calm she gave us some old books to read, Tanglewood Tales, Myths and legends of Ancient Greece and others on the theme of Greek and Roman myth. These books may have been one of the sparks which ignited my lifelong love of Classical Greece and Rome. I moved on from Lang, Bullfinch and Hawthorne to Roger Lancelyn Green, Rosemary Sutcliff and Henry Treece, then to Mary Renault and others. I told my grandmother I wanted to study mythology at university and become a ‘mythologist’. To date, I have spent around 55 years studying and teaching Classics. I currently teach a university module on Greek and Roman Myth. I am established as a Mythologist.
That’s how influential those old books were to me. Reading them again in this anthology, I realise how timeless the tales are, how well told, in a simple narrative without prejudice. Not here the woke re-edits of today, nor the jokey facetiousness of Stephen Fry. The narratives are old-fashioned, yes, Victorian or Edwardian, but in every case, they set out to focus on the tales, showing respect to the original tales. In the extracts from Hawthorne there are some liberties taken which often enhance the storytelling. All the old favourites are here, Midas, Theseus, the Argonauts, Herakles, culminating in a lengthy retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche. The editor, Jean Menzies, writes short introductions to each story and author, occasionally including a subtle ‘trigger warning’.
This is a worthy text in the Macmillan Collectors’ Library and a pleasant journey down memory lane for me.
When I was a small boy, I recall visiting the house of my Great-aunt Annie, a retired schoolmistress. To keep me and my brothers quiet and calm she gave us some old books to read, Tanglewood Tales, Myths and legends of Ancient Greece and others on the theme of Greek and Roman myth. These books may have been one of the sparks which ignited my lifelong love of Classical Greece and Rome. I moved on from Lang, Bullfinch and Hawthorne to Roger Lancelyn Green, Rosemary Sutcliff and Henry Treece, then to Mary Renault and others. I told my grandmother I wanted to study mythology at university and become a ‘mythologist’. To date, I have spent around 55 years studying and teaching Classics. I currently teach a university module on Greek and Roman Myth. I am established as a Mythologist.
That’s how influential those old books were to me. Reading them again in this anthology, I realise how timeless the tales are, how well told, in a simple narrative without prejudice. Not here the woke re-edits of today, nor the jokey facetiousness of Stephen Fry. The narratives are old-fashioned, yes, Victorian or Edwardian, but in every case, they set out to focus on the tales, showing respect to the original tales. In the extracts from Hawthorne there are some liberties taken which often enhance the storytelling. All the old favourites are here, Midas, Theseus, the Argonauts, Herakles, culminating in a lengthy retelling of the myth of Cupid and Psyche. The editor, Jean Menzies, writes short introductions to each story and author, occasionally including a subtle ‘trigger warning’.
This is a worthy text in the Macmillan Collectors’ Library and a pleasant journey down memory lane for me.
March 16, 2023
Complete disclosure here - I wanted to read both of these collections of Greek Myths to help with my desire to read more historical retellings. A few years ago I started to read Circe and despite three or four attempts I just couldn't get my head around it. I have never studied Greek Myths or any other classics at school so the characters, the names and the background were lost on me. I am still really determined to get back to it (and several others) so I thought these short stories would give me a better grounding.
There is a fantastic selection of stories in this volume - and I was especially pleased to see that one of the stories was 'Circe's Palace'. As well as a few other characters I had heard of, there were plenty of new names and tales for me to explore, my favourite of the fifteen being Icarus.
I won't lie, I had to take my time reading through the book. I still felt at times that I was out of my depth but for any fans of these myths it would be a lovely addition to a collection. I honestly feel like I have a much more solid background now to read more from this genre.
There is a fantastic selection of stories in this volume - and I was especially pleased to see that one of the stories was 'Circe's Palace'. As well as a few other characters I had heard of, there were plenty of new names and tales for me to explore, my favourite of the fifteen being Icarus.
I won't lie, I had to take my time reading through the book. I still felt at times that I was out of my depth but for any fans of these myths it would be a lovely addition to a collection. I honestly feel like I have a much more solid background now to read more from this genre.
March 21, 2024
Always a favourite from school days. I obviously haven't changed much! I enjoyed reading this collection of tales and met up with old friends and a few I didn't know or know the tale of. It has taken me a while to read and I did have to go back a few times with some of the tales to get all the folk clear in my head. Some of the stories are easier to grasp than others. Having said that, now they are read, it is a book I will dip in and out of as the spirit takes me! And, forgive me for being a bit of a dolt, but I also discovered in one of the tales that Pygmalion was a sculptor. It gives meaning and clarity to 'My Fair Lady' and 'Prof Higgins'.
August 4, 2025
*2.5/5
A nice little read, I think just the difference between every story was very jarring. With some being 5 pages and others 30 and every story being a different writer with vastly different styles.
Some authors I really enjoyed and some were, fine. Also it’s a whole book about Greek myths and there’s only one good fight scene, and it’s a really cool two page boxing match. But it will be like, Perseus turned a corner and there was a dragon and with one swipe of his sword he cut its head off, he had never faced a more fierce foe. Like bro what 😭, it took him three seconds doesn’t seem that excited.
Still fun just not my favorite
A nice little read, I think just the difference between every story was very jarring. With some being 5 pages and others 30 and every story being a different writer with vastly different styles.
Some authors I really enjoyed and some were, fine. Also it’s a whole book about Greek myths and there’s only one good fight scene, and it’s a really cool two page boxing match. But it will be like, Perseus turned a corner and there was a dragon and with one swipe of his sword he cut its head off, he had never faced a more fierce foe. Like bro what 😭, it took him three seconds doesn’t seem that excited.
Still fun just not my favorite
March 31, 2023
I didn't really enjoy this one. I requested it when my social interest in Greek mythology was really high, and when I've gotten round to reading it, my interest has gone for the most part and I've not found myself wanting to read more.
~
It's an interesting read, but not something I'd pick up again. I'm not always a fan of nonfiction, it has to be really informative to make me keep reading it, and this one for me didn't keep me wanting to learn more.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
~
It's an interesting read, but not something I'd pick up again. I'm not always a fan of nonfiction, it has to be really informative to make me keep reading it, and this one for me didn't keep me wanting to learn more.
•
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 8, 2023
As a big fan of Greek mythology, this book certainly ticks all the boxes! A great selection of short tales from Ancient Greece, there’s the classics that we all know (or know of) but there are plenty in this book that I didn’t know.
The way the book is written is great and whether you’re familiar with Greek myths or a complete newbie, this is a great read.
The way the book is written is great and whether you’re familiar with Greek myths or a complete newbie, this is a great read.
May 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this collection of 11 retelling of Greek myths by different authors. I knew many of these myths already, but not all, and I’d forgotten details of the ones I was familiar with. I found it an easy read so it would be suitable for school libraries too I think.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.
May 28, 2024
An excellent pocket sized book, nice end papers and a ribbon bookmark; I wish more publishers would include one. Menzies brief introductions to each story give an informatie but light touch and the translations are very readable.
September 24, 2024
Fine collection of myths of heroes and heroines, some known some unknown
December 19, 2024
Collection of retold greek myths.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews