Presenting the stories of Zeus and Europa, Theseus and Ariadne, the birth of Athens and the fall of Troy, in all their variants, Calasso also uncovers the distant origins of secrets and tragedy, virginity, and rape. "A perfect work like no other. (Calasso) has re-created . . . the morning of our world."--Gore Vidal. 15 engravings.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
That Greco-Roman mythology should shape a contemporary novel is hardly unusual, but the way this breath-takingly ambitious work shapes--and reshapes--classical mythology is remarkable indeed. Calasso, publisher of the intellectual Milanese house Adelphi, revisits the theogonies set forth by Hesiod, Homer, Ovid et al. and then recasts them for a postmodern audience. Gods and men enact the cosmic mysteries as the narrator comments aphoristically on the progress of ancient and divine history ("With time, men and gods would develop a common language made up of hierogamy and sacrifice . . . . And, when it became a dead language, people started talking about mythology"). Calasso presents the abduction of Europa by a bull, analyzes the Trojan war, discusses the meaning of the word "tragedy" and charts the fall of classical Athens. Into this elegant chronology he also interpolates quotations from and allusions to a pantheon of classical writers, in the same weightless manner in which those writers made use of standard formulaic tropes; he extends his territory by planting modern points of reference ("Jason would have preferred to live a bourgeois life at home, just as Nietzsche would have preferred to be a professor in Basel, rather than God"). Readers who don't know their Theseus from their Thyestes shouldn't be discouraged--Calasso's work bridges the perceived distance from the origins of Western culture. Illustrations not seen by PW. BOMC alternate.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
From Library Journal
A reconsideration and recombination of Greek mythology, this scholarly tome--which is being billed as both fiction and mythology by the publisher--reaches back extensively through the works of Plutarch, Ovid, Homer, and Plato, to name only a few of the classical writers referenced here. This interweaving of gods and goddesses and of their actions moves back and forth in time, with many comments from Calasso about both the action and its interpretation by scholars. The storytelling style is interesting, but novices of Greek mythology will soon find themselves awash in names and places and activities that are exceedingly difficult to keep straight. An extensive "family tree" of characters, an index, and even chapter titles, none of which are included, would have served as useful guideposts. Students of Greek mythology will be intrigued. Primarily for academic collections.
- Olivia Opello, Onondaga Cty. P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
- Olivia Opello, Onondaga Cty. P.L., Syracuse, N.Y.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
Roberto Calasso's retelling of the myths of antiquity is as
powerful and life-changing a book as I've ever read. He
illuminates these stories and brings them to life, showing us
the power they held for the ancients by infusing them with
his own narrative power, writing in a style which is crisp,
modern, and yet full of fantasy. We see our own lives in the
lives of the gods and the lives of the humans with whom
they spoke, made love, made war.
This book would be worth reading simply for the engaging way
in which Calasso tells the stories. He doesn't stop there,
however. His insights and interpretations are worth a book in
themselves. Nearly every page of my copy is filled with
checks and underlined passages, each representing ideas which
provoked thought or simply struck me as brilliant. This book
is not another dictionary of myths in the style of Bullfinch
and Hamilton and Graves--it is a work of literature in its own
right, and, I believe, a work of genius.
If you are interested in classical mythology, read this book.
If you are not, read this book. It is for anyone who wants
to see the world in a different, richer way.
powerful and life-changing a book as I've ever read. He
illuminates these stories and brings them to life, showing us
the power they held for the ancients by infusing them with
his own narrative power, writing in a style which is crisp,
modern, and yet full of fantasy. We see our own lives in the
lives of the gods and the lives of the humans with whom
they spoke, made love, made war.
This book would be worth reading simply for the engaging way
in which Calasso tells the stories. He doesn't stop there,
however. His insights and interpretations are worth a book in
themselves. Nearly every page of my copy is filled with
checks and underlined passages, each representing ideas which
provoked thought or simply struck me as brilliant. This book
is not another dictionary of myths in the style of Bullfinch
and Hamilton and Graves--it is a work of literature in its own
right, and, I believe, a work of genius.
If you are interested in classical mythology, read this book.
If you are not, read this book. It is for anyone who wants
to see the world in a different, richer way.
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
"The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony," is a marvelous retelling of the Greek myths that puts a trace on their source, and a track on their permutations. More importantly Roberto Calasso explores their ramifications on modern times. And, he does it in a scholarly and entertaining way that never pulls us from the full world of ancient Greece that he recreates. Oh, those gods and goddesses were steeped in gore, and would wreck whatever havoc was necessary to have their ways with humanity and each other. The blood of every hero seems to begin with a sanctified seduction or rape, and end in a pool either before the gates of Troy, or as a result of that ten year war. Not to say that the humans act or fare any better than their divine counterparts. The greatest among them were small in their motives as they pursued homicide, parricide, matricide, infanticide and every other side of slaughter they could summon into being. But, as small as they were, they were heroes; and, as petty as they were, they were the gods; and their actions, reactions, and inactions shaped and continue to shape Western culture. "The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony" is a fitting companion piece to "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," and stands alone as a thrilling tale of the mortal and immortal excesses that have formed us.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I first saw this book, very thick, one year ago, poking out of some shelf at my school's library. 'Greek myth, huh?' I was up for the challenge. I guess I knew the stories well, but the brilliant narrative and style was so absorbing, I was hooked. Calasso re-opened my eyes to the World of Greek myth! I can't remember how many times I went back to take this book out- more then five, as far as I know. What I enjoyed about it most was how each of the characters was brought to life, each with thoughts, and fears, and desires not unlike that of mankind today. The first time I finished this book I felt Calasso had altered my life, or my perspective on it. I had to go back and read it again, and again. Simply a work of art, this is a treasure of wealth in the form of written knowledge. And, personally, I don't care who you are or where you are form, just read this book. You'll see what I mean.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An overall satisfying analysis of the Greek myths
For about three days, this was the first thing I read in the morning and the last thing I read at night. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Deb Nam-Krane
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must.
Greek myths told and retold in vivid language and reinterpreted through contemporary lens. A fascinating and thought inspiring compendium that should become a classic.
Published 17 days ago by Alina Malta
5.0 out of 5 stars
An exceptional treatment of the Greek myth cycle
Even for experienced myth scholars this isn't likely to be an easy read - and that's a good thing. Calasso writes elegantly and gives us a unique and refreshing look at the Greek... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jessica Maestas
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
I absolutely loved this book. Brilliant connections and insights and wonderful storytelling; a book I come back to again and again. Highly recommended!
Published 6 months ago by Ann Armbrecht
5.0 out of 5 stars
Is it really just about Greek mythology?
I came away from this book with a better understanding of religion in general. "The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony" illustrates that mythology itself is a narrow concept. Read more
Published on July 25, 2010 by Thomas West
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, profound -- and never boring
How did the ancient Greeks really view their myths? Calasso retells many of the ancient stories in an intriguing way as he provides an answer. Read more
Published on November 2, 2006 by James Huddleston
2.0 out of 5 stars
well written, but incredibly pretentious
I have to admit that I didn't finish this book. That is something I rarely do and a sign of how much I disliked it. For a while I was really torn over whether it was worth reading. Read more
Published on June 6, 2005 by varmint
4.0 out of 5 stars
An enlightening interpretation of Greek mythology.
"The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony" is a truly ambitious work. Roberto Calasso has gathered together the various tales in Greek mythology, including the works of Hesiod and Homer,... Read more
Published on February 18, 2005 by Monika
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Voice from Inside the Myths
It's a cliché often used in book reviews, but like the Greek myths in the masterful hands of Roberto Calasso, The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony reinvigorates the... Read more
Published on October 1, 2004 by Dana Garrett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stimulate your mind
Wonderful deconstruction and analysis of Greek Mythology. A really enjoyable and thought provoking read.
Published on January 23, 2002
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