A Book Fit for the Gods Themselves

Like everyone, I'm not quite sure how to write a holiday letter this year. But I can tell you one thing--the book list (a tradition) will be spectacular. Because, while I haven't become obsessed with baking my own sourdough bread, I have discovered an unknown-prior-to-2020 love of audio books. And, for once, I'm actually grateful for the technology that lets me carry someone's voice in my pocket as I putter around doing chores. After a long wait at the library, I finally got to listen to the last hour of Stephen Fry's Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold. Sure, you could read it on your own. But then you'd miss out on all of Stephen Fry's hilarious character voices and the wonder, sarcasm and delight that Fry clearly takes in Greek mythology. He has done his research, and I was completely astounded at the sheer number of gods and goddesses, minor and major he includes (not to mention all the human characters--again, major and minor). And how our language has been shaped by these stories. Fair warning--these tales aren't for the faint or heart or for children . . . there's a fair amount of un-condonable behavior that took place once upon a time. Or maybe took place, once upon a time. Whether or not these characters really existed is a minor point when you consider the real effect their tales have had on humankind. Stephen Fry is brilliant, hilarious and a worthwhile companion, pandemic or not.

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