Customer Reviews

Bulfinch's Greek and Roman Mythology: The Age of Fable (Dover Thrift Editions)

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"The Age of Fable" is an enjoyable, easy to read introduction to Greek and Roman mythology.

Today we lament that people have little time for the classics and even less for mythology. Bulfinch, writing in 1855, said much the same, "To devote study to a species of learning which relates wholly to false marvels and obsolete faiths, is not to be expected of a general reader in a practical age like this."

And yet without some familiarity with Greek and Roman mythology we not only have little understanding of Greek and Roman civilization, we also limit our appreciation for some of the greatest English literature and poetry. Shakespeare, Keats, Milton, and other English writers have assumed that readers are acquainted with mythology. And more basic, we also deprive ourselves of some fascinating and enjoyable stories and tales.

In writing "The Age of Fable" Bulfinch focused on "mythology as connected with literature", not just the fables themselves. He created a book that has remained easy to read and as well serves as an amazingly useful reference when reading 16th, 17th, and 18th century literature and poetry. I have repeatedly found that what was an obscure and murky reference to mythology took on meaning and significance by a quick visit to Bulfinch. I particularly appreciate his index of names: it really helps me track down those prolific deities.

I sometimes pick up "The Age of Fable" and simply browse a few pages, exploring a new tale, a new adventure by powerful deities with magnified human frailties. Buy a copy, you won't be disappointed.

Overall a good book for novice readers to of mythology. Good basic stories written in prose. Also has explanations of the use of myth in poetry. The footnotes are clear and concise, and where appropriate provide further information about the text you just read. My only quibble with the book is that it's called Greek and Roman myth, when they put the names of Roman deities first, and the name of the Greek dieties in parentheses. This is a book you read if you want to expand your knowledge base about mythology. This is not a book for people already know the stories. This is a good book for people who know nothing about greek myth, and are looking for a place to start.

This classic book on clasaical mythology is exceptionally well written. Each story is short, most only a page or two. The adventures are succinctly presented and the language used adds considerably to the readability and excitement of the myths.

As one untrained in mythology, I have often found Greek plays and Homer to be obscure. But now, I can reread those classics with far greater understanding.

For those, like me, who have an interest in Greece and Roman, but whose background is in other fields, Bulfinch's "Mythology" is an outstanding nightly read. Just a few stories at a time will suffice, and you will delight in the endeavor for many a month.

Bulfinch's Greek and Roman Mythology, The Age of Fable, is an excellent source for understanding and appreciating the legends and myths of ancient Greece and Rome. Well researched, the book reviews the fables in clear, simple prose. An excellent source for students, writers, scholars, or the casual reader interested in classic mythology. Highly recommended.

My 10 year old son loved reading this.
It helped with everything that he's studying in school.

Naturally Greek and Roman mythology is not preached today and, because of this, there are many different versions to nearly all the myths you have ever heard and read. Bulfinch includes the most popular versions and tells it in a way that is very entertaining. That being said, Bulfinch didn't actually write the majority of the book; he copies scenes, passages, and, sometimes, even entire stories from Ovid's "Metamorphoses."

Furthermore, Bulfinch's approach is affected by the time period (mid 1800s), social norms, and his own personal opinion; he often slides in his own comments which leads the reader to doubt that he's telling the entire story-- and most of the time, he doesn't tell the whole story. He manages to exclude a lot of the sexual activity of the gods (which anyone who knows anything about mythology knows that the gods are always having affairs... ALWAYS) and insinuates that the gods were just spending time with one another. He also leaves out some of the gory details which are imperative in most stories; he glides over important scenes and repeatedly spends time explaining unimportant scenes instead.

Nevertheless, it's a good read if you're looking for an introductory book about Roman and Greek mythology but keep in mind that these stories have many plot variations, just because it's in this book doesn't mean it's a fact. Once you've read this, I encourage you to read Ovid's "Metamorphoses;" Ovid is relaxed and comedic-some of his stories are told more for the entertaining factor than correctness, but it's still a very good, enjoyable read.
I hope this helped!
-K. J. Burks

This book provides a succinct introduction to many of the stories that underlie Western culture. The main part of the book presents a digest of Greek myths, arranged in a loosely along the "genealogy" of the Greek Pantheon. Included are brief synopses of the Odyssey, the Iliad, and the Aneid. These stories are no longer universally known as they were such a short time ago, and this book provides an easy introduction to them. At the end of the volume are included some stories of the Hindu and Nordic gods, but these, especially the Hindu stories, are not as satisfying as the Greek stories. [...] this book is a great buy!

This is recommended reading for literature students; the Western canon is heavily indebted to classical myths and legends. Those interested in tracing the pagan roots of Christianity can also benefit.

Realizing I needed more information on mythology and after doing a thorough search on the subject,I found Bulfinch's Greek & Roman Mythology book just what I needed. I have found it to be very informative but not overwhelming on each subject. A wonderful addition to anyone's library.

While I have not finished reading this book yet, I am throughly enjoying it. I have wanted to read this book since before I could read (my mother had a copy with an interesting looking cover). Then when I learned to read it was too complicated. Now that I am grown (not according to my wife) it is nice to read and understand the book!