2020-05-26
I borrowed this book from the library hoping for a good introduction to Classical Mythology. Instead I found this is a book all about Classical Reception.
Of the 7 chapters in this book, only one begins to address the rise and development of mythology in the world of Ancient Greece and Rome. The rest is about how 20th century ideologies and architecture have appropriated it, how the wives of the post-WWII nouveau-riche liked to dress as Greek goddesses, and a little about Renaissance painters.
We get an entire chapter on Freud, another on the New Age, and one about Christian reception to mythology. I’m sure the chapter on Feminism is worth re-reading.
But none of this is about introducing Classical Mythology – this book needs to be re-titled as “Classical Reception: A Very Short Introduction” to avoid disappointment.
Rating: 2/5