Books matching: historical and mythical figures
19 result(s)
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- #1
Save:Readers share mixed opinions on Dante Alighieri's 'Inferno.' Some found the book to be a challenging yet rewarding journey through the nine circles of hell, appreciating the rich allegorical elements and historical insights it provided. Others struggled with the complex language and lack of action, feeling that the book may not appeal to a broader audience due to its dense nature and heavy reliance on footnotes.
“Reader, this is an honest book.” Montaigne says this of his Essays. We would like to say the same of this translation. We have tried to bring Dante into our English without being led into the temptat... - #2
Save:Eduardo Galeano's 'Memory of Fire' Trilogy is a unique and passionate retelling of the history of North and South America, spanning from the birth of the continent's indigenous peoples to the end of the twentieth century. Through short vignettes filled with gorgeous prose, Galeano weaves together the lives of Indians, conquistadors, slaves, revolutionaries, poets, and more. The book offers a mixture of mythology, history, and present tense storytelling to depict the colonization of the New World in a compelling and imaginative way.
The stories in 'Memory of Fire' Trilogy tell of heartache, suffering, traitors, saints, sinners, and treachery, providing a comprehensive and vivid portrayal of the Americas' history. Galeano's writing style is described as gorgeous, akin to a beautiful painting done in words, which transports readers to the depths of unimaginable history with small, succinct paragraphs that are both lovingly detailed and deeply affecting.
- #3
Save:The Christmas Mystery by Jostein Gaarder is a heartwarming tale that intertwines a modern-day mystery with the story of Christmas. The book follows the journey of a young girl who travels back in time from northern Europe to Bethlehem, encountering various characters and learning about history and geography along the way. The story is meant to be read as an Advent calendar, with one chapter to be read each day leading up to Christmas, making it a perfect festive read for families.
Among all these busy people were Papa and Joachim. They had gone into town to buy an Advent calendar, and it was their last chance, because tomorrow would be December 1. . They were sold out at the ne... - #4
Save:Terra Nostra by Carlos Fuentes is a massive, ambitious novel that intertwines the myth systems of Europe and the Americas, exploring the Conquest and its impact on imaginations and moralities. The book delves into layers of history, image, symbol, and allusion, creating a reading experience akin to losing oneself in a complex painting. Characters based on historical, literary, and mythical figures populate the fluid timeline of the narrative, leading readers on an intense and dense journey through Old Spain, New Spain, and beyond. The circularity of history, repetition of events and people, and the oppressive nature of the Catholic Church in 16th century Spain are key themes explored in a lyrical and hallucinatory writing style.
Incredible the first animal that dreamed of another animal. Monstrous the first vertebrate that succeeded in standing on two feet and thus spread terror among the beasts still normally and happily cra... - #5
Save:"The World's Wife" by Carol Ann Duffy is a collection of poems that give voice to the female subjects of modern and ancient myths, sharing their perspectives on well-known stories and historical figures. The poems are described as thought-provoking, amusing, and deep, offering a unique take on the lives and experiences of the wives of famous men from history and fables. Duffy's writing style is praised for its wit, cleverness, and ability to subvert traditional narratives, making the reader see familiar tales from a new and feminist perspective.
- #6
Save:Jurgen is a comic fantasy novel that follows the adventures of the rakish Jurgen as he lies and seduces his way through Heaven, Hell, and various mythical realms. The story explores themes of man's quest for meaning, pleasure, and purpose, with a sardonic voice that is genuinely clever and funny. Cabell's writing style is described as satirical, bawdy, and gently ironic, filled with human insight and amusing social satire.
JT is a tale which they narrate in Poictesme, saying: In the old days lived a pawnbroker named Jurgen; but what his wife called him was very often much worse than that. She was a high-spirited woman, ... - #7
Save:'La Tentation de saint Antoine' by Gustave Flaubert is a complex and vivid exploration of the temptations faced by Saint Anthony, a Christian hermit from Egypt. Flaubert's writing style is described as entertaining and different, showcasing a mix of historical, philosophical, and religious elements. The novel delves into Anthony's inner struggles with various temptations, including encounters with biblical characters, heresies, false prophets, and cosmic contradictions, all presented in a hallucinatory and phantasmagorical manner.
- #8
Save:Death: A Life by George Pendle is a humorous autobiography of Death himself, exploring his journey from birth before creation to the present day. The book is filled with witty wordplay, sappy moments, and explanations of the workings of life that are both groan-worthy and chuckle-inducing. Through the lens of Death's perspective, readers are taken on a wild ride through history, society, and religion, all while questioning the nature of life and the Grand Scheme of Things.
Pendle's writing style in Death: A Life is irreverent, sarcastic, and hilarious, reminiscent of authors like Terry Pratchett and Douglas Adams. The book cleverly weaves together different lore and religious satire to create a unique tale of self-discovery for Death, exploring themes of creation, love, and the absurdity of existence in a way that keeps readers engaged and entertained from start to finish.
I was an only child. In fact, I was the only child. Hell wasn’t considered a particularly good place to raise children at the time. Playgrounds were specifically designed to grind up those who played ... - #9
Save:In "Dragon America," author Mike Resnick presents an alternate history where dragons play a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. The novel follows the adventures of Daniel Boone as he is sent by General Washington to seek out dragons to use as weapons against the British forces. The narrative weaves together historical figures, mythical creatures, and military strategies, creating a unique blend of fantasy and historical fiction. Resnick's writing style combines engaging storytelling with elements of humor and intrigue, making for a compelling and entertaining read.
- #10
Save:'Midnight Never Come' by Marie Brennan is a historical fantasy novel set in Elizabethan England, featuring a detailed and intricate faerie court hidden beneath London. The plot involves court intrigue, love, betrayal, and an interesting cast of characters, both fae and human. The writing style is praised for seamlessly merging historical fact with flights of fantasy, capturing the voice of the period with eloquent prose and suitably Elizabethan dialogue. The author expertly blurs the lines between natural and supernatural elements, creating vivid characterizations and a storyline grounded in contemporary politics and English folk tales.
Fitful drafts of chill air blew in through the cruciform windows of the Bell Tower, and the fire did little to combat them. The chamber was ill-lit, just wan sunlight filtering in from the alcoves and...
