A Book of Myths

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

A Book of Myths

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

Jean Lang retells thirty-four mythological tales from Greek and Northern legends for younger readers. Featuring heroes, gods, and moral adventures, this collection explores the enduring humanity found in ancient stories of creation, tragedy, and heroism.

Summary up to 500 words

In *A Book of Myths*, Jean Lang presents a collection of ancient tales that she argues preserve the noblest instincts of humanity, asserting that while creeds change, human nature remains constant. Lang deliberately omits famous stories like those of Herakles or Theseus, focusing instead on narratives that illuminate the human condition. The volume begins with the Greek creation myth, where Prometheus defies the uncompassionate Zeus to give fire to humanity. The collection explores themes of love and loss through tales such as Proserpine's abduction by Pluto, which explains the changing seasons, and the tragic fate of Deirdrê and the Sons of Usna in Irish legend. Lang contrasts the warmth of the Norse heaven with the fiery hells of the East in stories like the death of Baldur and the narrative of Freya. Throughout the book, narratives feature moral lessons, the consequences of hubris, and the power of art, exemplified by the stories of Orpheus and Arachne. Lang emphasizes that these myths are not merely folklore but reflections of the divine within the human soul. The book concludes with a poignant postscript written in 1914, reflecting on the horrors of war. Lang compares the endurance of soldiers to the suffering of Prometheus, suggesting that the memory of the brave is the only legacy that truly matters. By weaving together Greek, Norse, and Celtic traditions, Lang invites readers to leave behind the utilitarianism of the present day to find glimpses of the divine in these enduring stories.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/jean-lang_book-of-myths.epub

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Categories

• Folklore
• Children's Literature
• Mythology