Greek Myths: A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys
by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Arthur Rackham (Illustrator)
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King Midas is obsessed with gold: counting it, touching it, imagining it. But when a strange young man grants his wish for a golden touch, things don't go quite as he planned, particularly for his daughter Marigold. In these selections from classic American author Nathaniel Hawthorne's charming retellings of Greek myths, children meet Midas and another engaging troublemaker, Pandora, and learn lessons about love and forgiveness.Tags
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themulhern In the first story in the collection, also "The Ladies of Grace Adieu", one of the ladies tells a little bedtime story of John Uskglass, the Raven King, when he is but a child. The two children for whom the story is invented are orphans, under the care of their governess, who is another of the ladies. The point of the story is that the two children should not fear some things of a magical and sinister nature that they have noticed, because those things are really for their protection. The manner in which the story is told seems influenced at least by Hawthorne's stories from the Greek myths, which adapt many of the settings and actions to be more familiar or more like the school stories of Hawthorne's own time.
Member Reviews
Nathaniel Hawthorne rewrote some of the most famous Greek myths, sanitizing and adapting them for American children. Somehow he manages to tell these stories without ever mentioning that a lot of the characters are gods. I kept thinking how much I should hate them, but I ended up enjoying them. Hawthorne's versions are well told, with a lot of humor tucked in. I especially liked the framing story of the college student who tells the stories, whom I suspect Hawthorne modeled after his younger self.
This is the perfect book for students who love the Percy Jackson books, want more Greek Mythology (told in fleshed-out, lyrical stories) and are capable of more complex writing. I read this to my kids after we read the Lightning Thief. Despite the fact that Hawthorne's language isn't easy, I think they liked these stories almost more than they liked Riordan. Definitely for stronger readers, though!
This affordably priced quality paperback edition of familiar tales from Greek mythology is truly a treasure and a wonderful way to enjoy these timeless stories or to introduce them to young people. One of America's greatest writers, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote these versions of stories about Pandora, Medusa, Hercules, King Midas and the host of gods and goddesses that make up the Greek pantheon. The language is evocative and colorful yet easily understandable. You needn't worry if your high school teacher's assigned reading of "The Scarlet Letter" bored you to tears, as this collection of stories is filled with exciting adventures and vivid characters. I love the beautiful illustrations in this book. They were done by Walter Crane, one of show more the most popular illustrators of children's books in the late 19th century. The paintings are in the Pre-Raphaelite style in full color. The decorations at the beginning of each chapter are filled with Victorian charm and make this new editon seem like a well-loved antique. There are many excellent anthologies of the Greek myths on the market but rarely will you find one that utilizes such substantial talents as those employed by Hawthorne and Crane or that so thoroughly draw the reader in to the romantic and turbulent world of heroes, maidens and the capricious deities who stir their fates. I highly recommend this book. It is a classic that will enrich the mind and heart of a young reader and open the way for further discovery. show less
This is a great book. It appears to be long and tedious if you judge it by the cover, but the text inside is large and the language is easily accessible. The pictures, which there are not a lot of, are beautiful and ornate. They definitely speak to an older time. This book would be really great in the classroom to help teach kids about some of the classic mythology that is out there. I enjoyed it. There are several themes since there are more than one story, but each has its own valuable lesson.
Tales of Greek mythology have entertained countless generations of young readers with their accounts of brave heroes and heroines and the marvels and monsters that they encounter. This edition of Greek Myths: A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys features six classic tales written especially for children by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It includes the legends of Pandora and the Box of Troubles, King Midas and the Golden Touch, Perseus and the Medusa, Philemon and Baucis, Bellerophon and Pegasus, and the labors of Hercules, all illustrated magnificently in color by Walter Crane.
Because I have one of the earliest editions(pre-1899) and not printed on acid free paper...there are no illustrations. I don't need them. Hawthorne's word pictures are quite enough for me. Adventure? (momma2) "Perseus flew cautiously downward, still keeping his eyes on Medusa's face, as reflected in his shield. The nearer he came, the more terrible did the snaky visage and metallic body of the monster grow." Thanks to educatingpetunia for a wonderful review and to treeseed for recognizing the "wonder" in this book.
Retellings of classic myths with narrative context of a student telling the stories to his young friends.
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Author Information
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Nathaniel Hawthorne was born on July 4, 1804 in Salem, Massachusetts. When he was four years old, his father died. Years later, with financial help from his maternal relatives who recognized his literary talent, Hawthorne was able to enroll in Bowdoin College. Among his classmates were the important literary and political figures Horatio Bridge, show more Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Franklin Pierce. These friends supplied Hawthorne with employment during the early years after graduation while Hawthorne was still establishing himself as a legitimate author. Hawthorne's first novel, Fanshawe, which he self-published in 1828, wasn't quite the success that he had hoped it would be. Not willing to give up, he began writing stories for Twice-Told Tales. These stories established Hawthorne as a leading writer. In 1842, Hawthorne moved to Concord, Massachusetts, where he wrote a number of tales, including "Rappaccini's Daughter" and "Young Goodman Brown," that were later published as Mosses from an Old Manse. The overall theme of Hawthorne's novels was a deep concern with ethical problems of sin, punishment, and atonement. No one novel demonstrated that more vividly than The Scarlet Letter. This tale about the adulterous Puritan Hester Prynne is regarded as Hawthorne's best work and is a classic of American literature. Other famous novels written by Hawthorne include The House of Seven Gables and The Blithedale Romance. In 1852, Hawthorne wrote a campaign biography of his college friend Franklin Pierce. After Pierce was elected as President of the United States, he rewarded Hawthorne with the Consulship at Liverpool, England. Hawthorne died in his sleep on May 19, 1864, while on a trip with Franklin Pierce. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Arthur Rackham was born in London, England. At the age of 18, he worked as a clerk at the Westminster Fire Office and began studying part-time at the Lambeth School of Art. In 1892 he left his job and started working for The Westminster Budget as a reporter and illustrator. His first book illustrations were published in 1893 in To the Other Side show more by Thomas Rhodes, but his first serious commission was in 1894 for The Dolly Dialogues, the collected sketches of Anthony Hope, who later went on to write The Prisoner of Zenda. Book illustrating then became Rackham's career for the rest of his life. Rackham invented his own unique technique which resembled photographic reproduction; he would first sketch an outline of his drawing, then lightly block in shapes and details. Afterwards he would add lines in pen and India ink, removing the pencil traces after it had dried. With color pictures, he would then apply multiple washes of color until transparent tints were created. Arthur Rackham died in 1939 of cancer in his home in Limpsfield, Surrey. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Greek Myths: A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys
- Alternate titles
- The Wonder Book
- Original publication date
- 1851; 1913
- People/Characters
- Apollo; Atlas; Baucis; Bellerophon; Danaë; Hercules (show all 13); Hermes (as Quicksilver); Midas; Pegasus; Perseus; Philemon; Polydectes; Zeus
- First words
- Introductory Note: Even from the data to be obtained by a perusal of his works, the general reader will be likely to infer that Hawthorne took a vital interest in child-life; and in his published Note-Books are found many b... (show all)rief memoranda which indicate his disposition to write for children.
Preface: The author has long been of opinion that many of the classical myths were capable of being rendered into very capital reading for children. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)At sight of the glorious radiance of the Golden Fleece, the nine-and-forty heroes gave a mighty shout, and Orpheus, striking his parp, sang a song of triumph, to the cadence of which the galley flew over the water, homeward bound, as if careering along with wings!
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- English
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