Customer Reviews

Essential African Mythology: Stories That Change the World

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

overall, the collection of myths is well done, but the retelling of them suffers. in looking for books of myths, it is difficult to encounter actual retellings (many mythology books lean more towards theoretical analyses)... as a teacher, i am collecting myths for students, and was disappointed that some rather good stories in this book were made incomprehensible or confusing by the writing style.

in some stories, for example, it is said that "the only thing existing was Nmbutu, his daughter, and a great river. Nambate the magician passed their way and... " ... ummm, where did this other guy come from? i appreciate that myths are not eld to rules of logic, but these sorts of confusing elements really appear to result from poor writing.

even more dissapointing, when the stories appear to come to a climax or ending, the writing style goes completely flat and fails to communicate any sense of impact through the myth. they simply seem to trail off, leaving a reader wondering what the point of the myth was.

so, in the end this book fails to communicate the spirit and vigour that lies within these myths.