Mythago Wood (Paperback)

by Robert Holdstock (Author) "In May 1944 I received my call-up papers and went reluctantly away to war, training at first in the Lake District, then shipping over to..." (more)
Key Phrases: hogback glade, oak vortex, mythago forms, Oak Lodge, Harry Keeton, Ryhope Wood (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Holdstock's fantasy of a surviving primeval forest where legends and tribes of different ages coexist draws power from the myths, archetypes and literary conventions it embodies. The long, Wellsian introduction to the Huxley family and their fascination with Ryhope Wood slowly moves toward a civilized British confrontation with the wilderness and savagery. Unaware of the consequences, Steve Huxley falls in love with the latest incarnation of beautiful Guiwenneth of the greenwoodas his father and brother had before him. When she is kidnapped, his attempt to find her becomes a quest leading to the heart of the mysterious wood. Although it takes its time getting started, and occasionally reminds us that it was expanded from a short story, this is a winning novel with a fine feeling for the interface between airy dreams and sweaty reality. Science Fiction Book Club main selection. Foreign rights: Ellen Levine. November 20
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
One of the few true Fantasy classics In this World Fantasy Award-winning novel, Robert Holdstock introduces us for the first time to his best-selling creations: Mythagoes and Mythago Wood. Ryhope Wood, Britain's last fragment ofprimeval forest, is inhabited by long-extinct animals and figures of ancient myth. George Huxley and his two sons, Steven and Christian, each explore the woodland in their turn, changing it by their very presence and finding wonderful - and deadly - things... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380762765
• ISBN-13: 978-0380762767
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,422,894 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A bizarre true fantasy, June 1, 2001

By	Bill Churchhill (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mythago Wood (Paperback)

Mythago Wood is easily the most bizarre book I have ever read. This is probably because of the many different elements which are included which one usually never finds together. The basic reason I suppose is that it is real fantasy, meaning fantasy which occurs in the real world (e.g. Imagine the Old Forest of Middle-Earth being near Orangeville or Kelmscott or wherever - real fantasy is the mixing of the real world and a fantasy world).

The main character is Steven Huxley who, at the beginning of the book, is living in France just after the end of the war having served in the British Army. He keeps contact with his brother Christian who is still living at their old parental home in Oak Lodge which is situated on the edge of Ryhope Forest in England. At length he returns home to live with his brother. He has changed almost beyond recognition and acts strangely and his eyes often have a faraway gaze ... The Forest is not your regular kind of forest. It is primal untouched old forest never penetrated by modern man. It is inhabited by mythagos which turn out to be products of one's mind (in some way). This forest was studied by their father (to the family's regret) and he wrote a detailed diary of his findings. Themes of myth, earth, wood, timelessness and time travel, occult, humans becoming animals and vice versa, love and hate, hope and despair are all intertwined in a most intricate and perplexing manner. Because of all these combinations, particularly the real mixed with the fantasy with some occult and ancient legend thrown in, the book has the power to communicate a unique and unsettling feeling. I'm not quite sure what the point of the story is. There seems to be some idolization of the ancient forest and Celtic times; sometimes it has a New Agey feel. I also wonder whether the name given to the brother "Christian" is purely coincidental ... Purely plotwise it is a gripping read, though because it is so bizarre I did feel the need to put it down frequently and read or do something else, something which I did not have with _Ender's Game_ which is tame and realistic compared with this book, which has a sequel called _Lavondyss_. I may be curious enough to read it. As such the book is also well written though the content often overshadows the good writing style. All in all, I can understand why it won the World Fantasy Award.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, sometimes scary... an amazing concept, August 1, 1999

By A Customer

I just re-read Mythago Wood and am further struck by this amazing story of fantasy and, to some extent, horror. The hauntings of Ryhope Wood (the small woodland of the title) emerge from humanity's deepest and darkest senses, and Holdstock presents these "Mythagos" in a manner that excites, intrigues, and terrifies... all at the same time. Having just seen the film "The Blair Witch Project," I recalled the genuine sense of fear I sensed upon my first excursion into Ryhope Wood. After reading the book again, I am further haunted by this magical world of subconscious night-terrors, elusive hopes, and primeval temptations. I highly recommend this book... if you can find it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars highly intriguing, July 10, 2001

By	Kit (Missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mythago Wood (Paperback)

This is a really intriguing mythical fantasy novel based in England after World War II. I was a little apprehensive about this one, since I'd read the sequel, Lavondyss, first. Lavondyss was a heavy read, definitely not a "casual" novel, but absolutely worth the time and concentration put into it. In contrast, Mythago Wood was very easy to read and understand, and I think had I read it first, I would have had less trouble with Lavondyss. The plot of Mythago Wood involves two brothers who live near an old-growth forest, who discover that human minds create "mythagos," physical manifestations of primal legendary heros and villains, in the forest. It's magical, innovative fiction, in my opinion, but slightly hints of other epic "legend" stories like Beowulf. I can highly recommend both Mythago Wood and its sequel, Lavondyss.