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A Thing of Beauty
Travels in Mythical and Modern Greece
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Format: Hardback
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What do the Greek myths mean to us today?
It’s a golden age for the fabulous Greek myths – in novels, films, popular culture. But what’s the modern relevance of the Odyssey and Orpheus? And what to be seen now at the original sites where these tales are set?
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Description
The Greek myths have held a place in the popular imagination for centuries. Yet while the stories may be timeless, their original setting is not.
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. He starts outside Corinth, where Prometheus first fashioned humanity out of clay, and picks up the trail of Heracles, Persephone, Theseus, Pandora and Perseus. Do the Ancient Greeks, through their myths and history, have anything to say to us today?
Fiennes hikes through stunning scenery in the footsteps of Lord Byron, finds the ‘most beautiful beach in Greece’, samples ‘the best salad in the world’ (it’s a Greek one…), consults the Oracle, and immerses himself in the cities and remote villages of this stunning country, all the while looking for beauty and hope in a world that is increasingly fragile.
A Thing of Beauty is a captivating exploration of ancient myths and their relevance in our modern world, woven with insights and experiences that bring the history and culture of Greece to life.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Peter Fiennes's book is lauded as both an erudite travelogue and a profound meditation on hope, set against the evocative backdrop of Greece. His engaging narrative blends historical insights with modern reflections, offering a deeply personal and often humorous journey. The book is praised for its insightful exploration of Greek myths, modern-day Greece, and environmental concerns, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the convergence of ancient stories and contemporary issues.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780861540617
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 21 October 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Illustration: black and white illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 27.0mm
Width: 135.0mm
Height: 216.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 304
About the Author
Peter Fiennes is the author of the critically-acclaimed Footnotes, Oak and Ash and Thorn, and To War with God. As the publisher for Time Out, he nurtured a lifelong obsession with old guidebooks, creating the award-winning city guides, walking books and titles about Britain’s countryside and seaside. He lives in south-west London.
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A Thing of Beauty
Essential reading Helen Morales Fiennes is a brilliant and generous guide through Greece Observer 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...Paperback$2499Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks
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