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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-8–Crete offers an effective site to stage the Greek myths, although a few figures assume unusual importance here. An informative introduction connects the myths with the political struggles between Minoans and Greeks, and a few details about Cretan history and ritual are worked into the stories. In 13 tales, Oberman covers the high spots, whether indirectly (creation, Jason and Medea) or as a main event: Cronos, Zeus, Europa, Minos, Theseus, Daedalus, and Icarus. Chapters are linked for narrative impetus, but background is repeated when necessary so that each tale is self-contained. The author adds fairy-tale touches and soft-pedals the brutality. There are some omissions (Persephone, Psyche, Atalanta, Artemis, Orpheus, and Eurydice are among the missing). The myths end with the destruction of Thera (Atlantis), followed by an account of Arthur Evans's discovery of Knossos. The glossary is good, but gives no pronunciation help. Colorful illustrations punctuate the large pages of text, but are not in the mode of the narrative. The nonhuman figures are modern and gripping, with a Picasso-esque bull and a mazelike background to the Minotaur, for instance. Human figures are cartoonishly distorted, with little effort to use Minoan motifs, dress, artifacts, etc. While the author takes the stories seriously, the illustrator somewhat undercuts them. Nevertheless, the discordant pages are relatively few. This volume should compete successfully with the many myth retellings available.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
Weaving across the boundaries between myth and history, Oberman connects 13 Crete-centered tales from unspecified sources into a series of related episodes. He opens with the birth of Zeus on (actually, within) Mount Dicte; ends with Theseus's forcible removal of Queen Phaedra after the immense volcanic explosion that probably brought an end to the Minoan civilization; and in between includes the battle between the Titans and the Olympian gods, the tale of Europa and the bull, the arrival of the bronze giant Talus and its defeat by Medea (who is thoroughly villainized here), and Daedalus's flight. Finally, he closes with a tantalizingly odd encounter between Sir Arthur Evans, the archaeologist, and a trio of Cretan women. Because Oberman veils the sex-the Minotaur is born after Poseidon's white bull "attacked and terrified" Queen Pasiphae in her bedchamber-while weaving in wooden, invented dialogue and details, the tales aren't particularly authentic, and Drawson's blocky caricatures are distractingly weird. Still, the unusual theme of this collection, and its historical links to the still-mysterious Minoans, will draw students of these ancient stories. (glossary of names) (Folktales. 8-12) (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews
Grade 4-8–Crete offers an effective site to stage the Greek myths, although a few figures assume unusual importance here. An informative introduction connects the myths with the political struggles between Minoans and Greeks, and a few details about Cretan history and ritual are worked into the stories. In 13 tales, Oberman covers the high spots, whether indirectly (creation, Jason and Medea) or as a main event: Cronos, Zeus, Europa, Minos, Theseus, Daedalus, and Icarus. Chapters are linked for narrative impetus, but background is repeated when necessary so that each tale is self-contained. The author adds fairy-tale touches and soft-pedals the brutality. There are some omissions (Persephone, Psyche, Atalanta, Artemis, Orpheus, and Eurydice are among the missing). The myths end with the destruction of Thera (Atlantis), followed by an account of Arthur Evans's discovery of Knossos. The glossary is good, but gives no pronunciation help. Colorful illustrations punctuate the large pages of text, but are not in the mode of the narrative. The nonhuman figures are modern and gripping, with a Picasso-esque bull and a mazelike background to the Minotaur, for instance. Human figures are cartoonishly distorted, with little effort to use Minoan motifs, dress, artifacts, etc. While the author takes the stories seriously, the illustrator somewhat undercuts them. Nevertheless, the discordant pages are relatively few. This volume should compete successfully with the many myth retellings available.–Patricia D. Lothrop, St. George's School, Newport, RI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
Weaving across the boundaries between myth and history, Oberman connects 13 Crete-centered tales from unspecified sources into a series of related episodes. He opens with the birth of Zeus on (actually, within) Mount Dicte; ends with Theseus's forcible removal of Queen Phaedra after the immense volcanic explosion that probably brought an end to the Minoan civilization; and in between includes the battle between the Titans and the Olympian gods, the tale of Europa and the bull, the arrival of the bronze giant Talus and its defeat by Medea (who is thoroughly villainized here), and Daedalus's flight. Finally, he closes with a tantalizingly odd encounter between Sir Arthur Evans, the archaeologist, and a trio of Cretan women. Because Oberman veils the sex-the Minotaur is born after Poseidon's white bull "attacked and terrified" Queen Pasiphae in her bedchamber-while weaving in wooden, invented dialogue and details, the tales aren't particularly authentic, and Drawson's blocky caricatures are distractingly weird. Still, the unusual theme of this collection, and its historical links to the still-mysterious Minoans, will draw students of these ancient stories. (glossary of names) (Folktales. 8-12) (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
See all Editorial Reviews
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