Tales of the Greek Heroes: Retold From the Ancient Authors (Puffin Classics) [Paperback]

Roger Lancelyn Green (Author), Alan Langford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Puffin Classics

This book presents the great stories of the heroic age - "Dionysus", "Heracles", "Theseus", "The Quest for the Golden Fleece", and many more.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Roger Lancelyn Green was born in 1918 and lived in Oxford and at his family home in Cheshire, which the Greens had owned for more than 900 years. He loved storytelling and was fascinated by traditional fairy tales, myths and legends from around the world. He was a professional actor, a librarian and a teacher. His retellings include Egyptian, Greek and Norse legends, plus a retelling of Robin Hood. He also wrote many books for adults, including a biography of his friend C. S. Lewis, creator of the The Chronicles of Narnia. Roger Lancelyn Green died in 1987.

From AudioFile

While by no means the most scholarly collection of Greek myths and legends, Roger Lancelyn Green's retellings are among the most accessible, particularly to younger listeners, while retaining the poetic quality of the ancient texts. TALES OF THE GREEK HEROES recounts the origins of the Greek pantheon, the adventures of Perseus, the seven labors of Heracles, and the voyage of Jason and the Argonauts. Edward Lewis reads with a clean precision, but some listeners may find his style stiff and pedantic. S.E.S. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140366830
• ISBN-13: 978-0140366839
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.7 x 7.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,472 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roger Lancelyn Green was born in 1918 and lived in Oxford and at his family home in Cheshire, which the Greens had owned for more than 900 years. He loved storytelling and was fascinated by traditional fairy tales, myths and legends from around the world. He was a professional actor, a librarian and a teacher. His retellings include Egyptian, Greek and Norse legends, plus a retelling of Robin Hood. He also wrote many books for adults, including a biography of his friend C. S. Lewis, creator of the The Chronicles of Narnia. Roger Lancelyn Green died in 1987.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful rendering by a true master of literature, December 30, 2005

By 

D. COLLIER "Top Guhzillion Reviewer" (Brownwood, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tales of the Greek Heroes: Retold From the Ancient Authors (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

Roger Lancelyn Green was a true expert of classic literature and ancient mythology. Green was also good friends with C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Lewis's stepson Douglas Gresham (who recently co-produced the Disney production of THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE). So, Roger Lancelyn Green ran in literary circles.

Furthermore, Roger Lancelyn Green thoroughly studied all the ancient mythologies from around the world. He knew them inside and out. But unlike most other like-minded scholars, Green chose to bring these stories home for children. Such he has done with Norse mythology, Egyptian mythology, Robin Hood, Arthurian legend, and of course, Greek mythology.

Green's book TALES OF THE GREEK HEROES is nothing short of exciting and fun to read. It's simple enough that a child can understand it and complex enough that an adult reader will not be bored by it. In it are such exciting stories as the adventures of Perseus the Gorgon-slayer (also depicted in the 1981 film CLASH OF THE TITANS) and all the labors of Hercules (or Heracles). The book concludes with the fall of Troy, which gives way to Green's two follow-up books THE TALE OF TROY and THE LUCK OF TROY.

I also highly recommend Roger Lancelyn Green's KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done!, November 4, 2008

By 

just.a.reader "just.a.reader" (Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tales of the Greek Heroes: Retold From the Ancient Authors (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

Groger Lancelyn Green retells the stories of the ancient Greek Heroes in a way that lends detail and continuity to those stories we have all heard. I had several "oh...that is how it hooks together" moments while reading.

The actual reading level is probably appropriate for a 5th-6th grader, but the style and story-telling will grasp the attention of an older reader. This book would also be a fabulous "read-aloud" for a younger audience with interest in the Greek Heroes.

Roger Green is obviously passionate about this subject and his passion shines through and grabs the reader. This is one the better books I have ever read about the ancient Greek heroes.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tales of greek heros, June 16, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Tales of the Greek Heroes: Retold From the Ancient Authors (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

I reaky enjoyed this book because they have all the best myths and stories. Also it has some myths that i dident even know existed like the gods vs. the giants. Over all I realy loved this book.