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Books matching: archetypes in mythology

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  1. #1

    The World of Myth by David A. Leeming
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    'The World of Myth' by David A. Leeming is a comprehensive collection of myths from various cultures around the world. The book covers myths related to creation, emergence, apocalypse, afterlife, hero myths, and more, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in studying mythology. The author, Leeming, organizes the information around specific themes, providing an insightful and diverse look at tales from our ancestors. While some readers found the stories to be short and lacking in depth, others appreciated the variety of traditions and the inclusion of science in the book.

    The writing style of 'The World of Myth' has been described as informative, enlightening, and well-organized. Leeming is praised for being a good storyteller who brings the content to life with nuance and subtlety. The book is recommended for those interested in learning about the similarities among different cultures and understanding the underlying themes of mythology. However, some readers found the new material added to the second edition to be lacking in substance, with more focus on analysis rather than the stories themselves.

    A myth of creation, a cosmogony (Greek kosmos, meaning “order,” and genesis, meaning “birth”), is a story of how the cosmos began and developed. Typically, though not always, cosmogonies include the c...

  2. #2

    The Hero's Journey by Joseph Campbell
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    'The Hero's Journey' by Joseph Campbell explores the common structural elements found universally in myths, fairy tales, dreams, and movies. The author uses movies to defend his philosophy and delves into the power of myths, archetypes, and heroic journeys from all cultures and times. Campbell believed that there is one great story of mankind retold in the individual mythologies of all cultures, encouraging readers to follow their bliss and fulfill their greatest potential within themselves and in service to their community.

    Late one night, in the spring of 1987 , I sat with Joseph Campbell on the lanai of his condominium in Honolulu, Hawaii, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Campbell was in rare form, telling old Irish joke...

  3. #3

    The Golden Bough by James George Frazer
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    'The Golden Bough' by James George Frazer is a classic work that delves into the evolution of religious customs and beliefs across different cultures. Frazer's detailed analysis of early religions and their transition into pagan gods showcases the interconnectedness of various mythologies and rituals. The book explores the progression from magic to religion to science, shedding light on the human impulse to understand and control nature through supernatural means.

    WHO does not know Turner’s picture of the Golden Bough? The scene, suffused with the golden glow of imagination in which the divine mind of Turner steeped and transfigured even the fairest natural lan...

  4. 'The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth' by Robert Graves delves into the mythology contained within ancient Welsh literature, connecting it to a wider European body of mythology. Graves explores the themes of the Battle of Trees and the poetry of a much older oral and bardic tradition, preserved in medieval texts. He presents a thesis on the meaning of these works, linking them to a calendar system and the concept of the White Goddess as the basis of all true poetry. is a complex and dense work, presenting hidden themes in European mythology and discussing the poetic thinking of pagan times.

    Since the age of fifteen poetry has been my ruling passion and I have never intentionally undertaken any task or formed any relationship that seemed inconsistent with poetic principles; which has some...

  5. #5

    American Indian Myths and Legends by Richard Erdoes
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    "American Indian Myths and Legends" edited by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz is a comprehensive collection of stories and myths from various Native American groups across North America. presents a wide range of tales including creation myths, heroic stories, and cultural legends, providing insight into the rich and diverse Native American cultures. The stories are organized thematically, offering concise summaries and context for each tale, along with information about the tribes, oral traditions, and historical background.

    Readers find the book to be an engaging and informative resource for learning about Native American culture, history, and values through their traditional stories. The content spans different aboriginal cultures, from the far north to Mexico, and covers a variety of themes such as creation heritage, cataclysms, and natural disaster myths. is praised for its comprehensive introduction to Native American folklore, offering a vast selection of stories that are entertaining, illuminating, and culturally significant.

    Creation myths deal with both how the physical world as we know it came to be and how the many features of specific cultures originated. While the tales in Parts Two and Three will deal with the first...

  6. 'Women Who Run With the Wolves' by Clarissa Pinkola Estes is a collection of myths and stories that explore the wild woman archetype. The book delves into the universal struggles experienced by women, using folklore from different cultures to provide insights on relationships, self-discovery, and empowerment. Estes combines Jungian psychology with storytelling traditions to guide readers on tapping into their inner wisdom and creativity, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's wild and natural instincts.


  7. #7

    The Swimmer by John Cheever
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    The Swimmer by John Cheever is a haunting and thought-provoking short story that delves into the unsettling aspects of suburban life. The story follows the main character, Ned, as he embarks on a journey through swimming pools in his neighborhood, reflecting on his past and the changes in his life. The narrative style of Cheever keeps readers engaged, with a simple yet genius idea that culminates in an ending that leaves a lasting impact, giving readers chills and prompting introspection.


  8. Readers find 'The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers' by Christopher Vogler to be an insightful guide that explores how Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey mythology can be applied to strengthen individual writer's stories. Vogler discusses the archetypes of hero, mentor, threshold guardian, herald, shape shifter, shadow, and trickster, as well as explains each stage of the hero's journey. The book uses over 100 films as examples to illustrate the power of writing fiction and provides a framework for writers to create compelling narratives.

    The waves are still rolling in from the pebbles in the pond that were the original Writer's Journey and its second edition. Since almost a decade has gone by since the second edition was launched, the...

  9. #9

    Eucalyptus by Murray Bail
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    Eucalyptus by Murray Bail is a modern Australian fable set in New South Wales, following the story of Holland and his daughter Ellen. Holland, a man obsessed with eucalyptus trees, challenges suitors to name every species on his property in order to win Ellen's hand in marriage. The novel weaves together elements of courtship, mythology, and storytelling in a dreamlike atmosphere, with a touch of magic realism. Bail's writing style is described as lyrical, poetic, and rich in detail, creating a unique narrative that rewards multiple readings.

    But desertorum (to begin with) is only one of several hundred eucalypts; there is no precise number. And anyway the very word, desert-or-um, harks back to a stale version of the national landscape and...

  10. #10

    The Hero With a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
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    'The Hero With a Thousand Faces' by Joseph Campbell is a masterwork that delves into the universality of hero stories and myths across cultures. Campbell's scholarly text demystifies the concept of the monomyth, analyzing a broad spectrum of cultural myths to reveal the common hero archetype present in all of them. The book provides detailed insights into the hero's journey, drawing parallels between myths from different societies and shedding light on the underlying similarities that connect humanity through storytelling. Campbell's writing style, although at times perceived as dry, offers a comprehensive exploration of the hero's tale, making it a fascinating read for those interested in mythology and literary criticism.

    Typical of the circumstances of the call are the dark forest, the great tree, the babbling spring, and the loathly, underestimated appearance of the carrier of the power of destiny. We recognize in th...

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