Customer Reviews

Mythology 101

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

 

 

There's really no other way to put it: This book is just plain fun. I should have been so lucky as to have had such experiences when I was at University. Elves, magic, librarians, bullies, and an irrepressiblly good-natured college student make for an highly enjoyable romp through might-have-been. (Or perhaps "might-be" if there's any justice in the world.) There are at least two sequels in the 'Mythology' universe, 'Mythology Abroad,' and (I think) 'Higher Mythology.' I highly recommend this title, 'Mythology 101,' for light reading when you need something cheery and humourous.

Definitely rated 'G.'

Mythology 101 (1990) is the first Fantasy novel in the Mythology series. It is set in the current timeframe at Midwestern University in Illinois. Unknown to the university administration, Little People have been living in the library sub-basement for over forty years.

In this novel, Keith Doyle is a red-headed student of Irish descent. He is a very persuasive talker and is very enthusiastic about myths and legends. He also likes pretty girls.

Marcy Collier is also a student at Midwestern. She is taking the same Sociology course as Keith. Keith admires her from afar, at least until he gets a chance to talk her into a date.

Pat Morgan is an English major at Midwestern. He is Keith's roommate.

Carl Mueller is a jock, on the track team at Midwestern. He is a friend of Pat, but Keith despises him.

The Master is the headman of the various clans of Little People in the Gillington Library. The Master is rather old for a Little Person. He teaches a small study group and has recently been accepting Big People into his classes.

Holl is a Little Person in his forties, but he looks about twelve. He is a member to the study group. He is called the Maven and was the first Elf child born in the library.

Enoch is another Little Person in the study group. He is slightly younger than Holl.

In this story, the university administration proposes the demolition of either the Gillington Library or the athletics center and replacing it with a more modern building. The librarians are contemplating more space for up-to-date multimedia and computer equipment. The athletic department is also considering expansion.

The Little People learn of the proposal and the Conservatives are shocked. There goes their neighborhood. Holl proposes that the Big Ones be asked for help in opposing this project, but the Conservative vote overwhelms the Progressive suggestion.

Meanwhile, the student government is given a voice in the renovation decision. Keith learns that Carl is supporting renovation of the athletic center, so he makes a great speech about replacing the old library. The Inter-Hall Council votes in favor of Keith's proposal.

Keith is having problems in his Sociology class. Marcy mentions her study group and Keith asks to join. Marcy tells him that she must clear his admittance with the group leader.

Keith soon becomes impatient and follows Marcy to her next study group meeting. This and the following surveillance efforts are unsuccessful. Finally, he sneaks down to the lowest floor and then falls through a door into the Master's class.

The Master tells him to seat himself, but Keith is too involved in observing the Little People to respond. Finally Keith joins the group and he fizzes with ecstasy in every class. He even learns a lot more about Sociology.

Carl tells the study group about Keith's speech and the Elves start shunning him. But Keith -- now knowing about the Elves -- reconsiders his thinking on the renovation issue. At the next Inter-Hall Council meeting, he asks for -- and gets -- another vote, but the majority still favor demolishing the library.

Keith soon learns that the Elves are impoverished and he starts planning ways to help them. He rounds up some surplus material for clothing, but finds the Master displeased with the charity. Yet the women in the class are very glad to take the material and soon produce some fantastic apparel.

The Master makes his viewpoint very clear: the Elves do not need nor want charity. Keith discusses his problem with Pat and is told the cliche about giving fish or teaching how to fish. So Keith looks for another way to help.

He starts selling items made by the Elves to craft and knickknack shops in the area. The response is very favorable and sales keep going up. Then Keith gets Holl to help with the paperwork and taxes.

At the same time, Keith and Marcy become friends, but he finally notices that she prefers Enoch. Keith decides that he would rather have Marcy as just a friend and helps bring Marcy and Enoch together.

This tale gets Keith into much trouble time after time. He has problems with his love life, a prankster, and the IRS. Then the Elves notice articles about small people with pointed ears in the local papers.

Naturally Keith prevails and even finds the right girl. The next installment is Mythology Abroad. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Nye fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of mythological creatures, enthusiastic adolescents, and true romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin

MYTHOLOGY 101 manages to capture more than a bit of its elven protagonists' magic and capture it in the pages. You can't go wrong with Little Folk secretly tutoring students in the library stacks. The people are nicely drawn, with everyone from the main characters to the briefest of "walk-on" parts coming across as three-dimensional. Can't wait to find the rest of the series.

While I do agree with the previous reviewer that this book is fun and a great light read, I found it a bit simplistic. If simple is what you want, then this book deserves the five star rating it received before me.

However, I found the simplicity unsatisfying. None of the characters were deeply motivated. By this, I mean that they had motivations that were believable, but just... well, simple. I can't escape that word. It is the only adjective that fits.

The other main complaint I have is that it took a bit too much set up to get to the payoff. The main characer (I've forgotten his name...) takes too long to become accepted by the elves, and I was getting ready to drop the book and forget about the whole thing.

However, I am glad that I stuck with it. It was fun, it was light. It didn't change the world, and it surely didn't make a lasting impression on me. But it was enjoyable. If that's all you are looking for, then give this book a try.