Modern Good Reads discussion

Welcome, fellow lovers of mythology! There are so many myths out there, where should we start first? My fav of course, is Greek, but what are yours?

Hi, my name is Luciana and I am a huge fan of mythology. My first love is Greek myths but would love to know more about Middle Eastern mythology.

I look forward to future discussions :)

Hi Luciana! Mine too! You've intrigued me on Middle Eastern Mythology, that would be like, Sumaria, right? I'm gonna do some research and check it out and let you know my findings.

What do you like most about GM and who are your favorite characters? The first story I fell in love with, was Cupid and Psyche, then it was the story of Theseus and the Minotaur.

I love Greek and Roman Mythology - especially anything to do with Troy; it's one of my writing-aims to write a book set in Troy, since it's something that has always fascinated me.

I studied Cupid and Psyche at uni last year and really enjoyed it.

Hi Heather! Loved the story of Troy! What did you write? Did you make up new characters or did you follow the myth?

I put my own spin on Cupid and Psyche myself.

I've started it a couple of times, but haven't finished it yet. The idea is to follow the myth from Cassandra's perspective (following the Iliad and going right through to the Oresteia) but with a YA tone. I'm introducing some new characters too. I wrote a tentative prologue and posted it here: http://figment.com/books/491167-Drawi...

A retelling of Cupid and Psyche sounds really interesting. Did you modernise it at all? And did you have fun with Psyche's horrible sisters? They would be the characters that interested me the most.

Heather wrote: "I've started it a couple of times, but haven't finished it yet. The idea is to follow the myth from Cassandra's perspective (following the Iliad and going right through to the Oresteia) but with a ..."

Read you excerpt Heather, I love that! Seeing it from Cassandra's perspective is real interesting.

It's funny, my main character in the first book is named Ariadne...only she's human and a descendant of Danae and Perseus. My version of Cupid and Psyche...Psyche is killed by Acrisius in ancient times, it's Aphrodite's fault, Cupid get's pissed and quits his job. He then trains under his father, Ares.

It was foretold that Psyche would be reincarnated and the soulmates would meet up in the 21st century. The chaos, comedy and drama will commense in Columbus, Ohio.

Her sister, Dido, plays a big role in creating havoc.

I think that it would be really interesting to explore Mayan, Aztec and Mesoamerican mythology as it has some impressive concepts that can be found nowhere else. One example of such concept is the 5 sun notion where it is described how the world and the humanity has been destroyed four times before - once by a meteorite, once by a flood, once by something that could be likened to nuclear war and once by an onset of ice age that could once again be of technogen nature. The very little attention paid to the mythology of the Americas can almost be attributed to a concerted effort to hide something. It may be the conspiracy theory lover speaking inside me but there really is a treasury of information that can be found in Aztec and Mayan mythology that should be looked into.

Also, special cheers to Yelle for coming up with such greats threads. I think that one thing we could do is start something like a myth of the month thread where Yelle could suggest one specific myth and people could explore it and post their thoughts about it on the discussion board. Aedipus watch out! :)

Vardan wrote: "I think that it would be really interesting to explore Mayan, Aztec and Mesoamerican mythology as it has some impressive concepts that can be found nowhere else. One example of such concept is the ..."

I always looked at Mayan mythology, not as a beautiful story but as a conspiracy theory, just as you said. It would be great to explore the myths behind the scenes.

Great topic, Vardan! If anyone is interested, bring up story and let us know. I'm going to do some research on it myself. I a romance/action kind of gal, so if there is one out there, I'll find it.

Vardan wrote: "Also, special cheers to Yelle for coming up with such greats threads. I think that one thing we could do is start something like a myth of the month thread where Yelle could suggest one specific my..."

Thank you so much, Vardan. I love that idea. Let me know your thoughts.

If you guys, know other mythological lovers out there, bring them in.

I am definitely interested in hearing everyone's version of the myths, we all love so much.

You know I live for Greek :)
I also enjoy Norse and Celtic. I would also like to incorporate Egyptian. I would love some Japanese Mythology though.

Shannon wrote: "You know I live for Greek :)
I also enjoy Norse and Celtic. I would also like to incorporate Egyptian. I would love some Japanese Mythology though."

I've always wanted to explore Japanese Mythology.

Isaiah wrote: "Shannon wrote: "You know I live for Greek :)
I also enjoy Norse and Celtic. I would also like to incorporate Egyptian. I would love some Japanese Mythology though."

I've always wanted to explo..."

That sounds really interesting, I looked up Japanese mythology and low and behold...I found Suijin! He is the Shinto god of water in Japan. My first novel is about Triton. I didn't find any books on Suijin on Amazon, but there has got to be something.

Shannon, this would be an amazing series!

Cool! I didn't understand much of what I read for Japanese mythology....I did find a sun goddess....

I grew up with Greek mythology so there's a close association of it for me. I especially love the lesser known Mysteries Dionysian rites because so little is known about them.

Many think that it's because all practitioners were sworn to secrecy upon pain of death or something like it. I believe that so little was known about what went on because each person experienced the rites differently. For example one cannot eat for someone else and have them be full by describing the food eaten.

One could not experience the rites for somebody else and expect them to understand what they were by explaining them. It didn't matter if the person trying to explain was Homer or Socrates.

Athanasios wrote: "I grew up with Greek mythology so there's a close association of it for me. I especially love the lesser known Mysteries Dionysian rites because so little is known about them.

Many think that it'..."

Just by your example, there is much for me to learn. I had never heard of this. I looked it up on Wiki ;) and never realized the importance wine has to the rites. Or fully understand Ariadne's, (she's actually my heroine in the first book) role in the Dionysian Mysteries.

As with all history, much is lost and I want to learn more about this. I may not be able to grasp it fully but at least I'll come to a better understanding.

Thanks for posting, Athanasios. This is the type of information that is very good for this discussion.

I love mythology because it is rich, fascinating, mysterious,full of legends and stories.For me it is the Ancient Indian Mythology.The Mahabharata is the longest Sanskrit epic and one of the two Indian epics.It's longest version consists of,about 1.8 million words in total, which is roughly ten times the length of the Iliad and Odyssey combined.

Ipsith wrote: "I love mythology because they are rich, fascinating and mysterious,full of legends and stories.For me it is the Ancient Indian Mythology.The Mahabharata is the longest Sanskrit epic.Its longest ver..."

Thanks, do you know any books you could recommend? I finding so many fascinating things. Comparative mythology is one of the topics, I really want to look into.

Yelle wrote: "Ipsith wrote: "I love mythology because they are rich, fascinating and mysterious,full of legends and stories.For me it is the Ancient Indian Mythology.The Mahabharata is the longest Sanskrit epic...."

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/15...
'Comparative Mythology' by Jaan Puhvel, Rev. Alexander Hyslop's "The Two Babylons."
All four volumes of Campbell's 'Masks of God'." The White Goddess" by Robert Graves is compulsive reading, but a hopelessly impossible book to follow.

Ipsith wrote: "Yelle wrote: "Ipsith wrote: "I love mythology because they are rich, fascinating and mysterious,full of legends and stories.For me it is the Ancient Indian Mythology.The Mahabharata is the longest ..."

That is awesome! Just learned of Joseph Campbell today. Marked all as "want to read" I am going to be a pretty busy lady :) Thanks

What is comparative mythology?

Shannon wrote: "What is comparative mythology?"

I hope I answer this right, it is the practice of comparing the myths of yesterday to religion of today. The History Channel has a show called Clash of the Gods and they find similarities between the Greek myths and Christianity.

Ohhhh! I went to a Baptist college and we kind of did that in Religion 2 with some of the creation stories. It was interesting. I can safely say that I do not write that kind of mythology he he. I may have to look at a recommended book or two. Sounds interesting. Might have to check out that H channel show. :). Thank you for the explanation!

Shannon wrote: "Ohhhh! I went to a Baptist college and we kind of did that in Religion 2 with some of the creation stories. It was interesting. I can safely say that I do not write that kind of mythology he he...."

I may have mixed the two but never made a big deal about it.

After I've read Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, I'm hooked with Greek Myths. I'm really not into Classic novels.. but I enjoyed which helps me in Literature class.

I'm looking forward to refresh my mind with Mythology. I just love it.
:)

Beatrice wrote: "After I've read Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, I'm hooked with Greek Myths. I'm really not into Classic novels.. but I enjoyed which helps me in..."

I admit, I have never read a Percy Jackson novel, I watched the movie but that's not the same thing. Glad the Greek Mythology has caught your interest and helped you in class. There is so much to this genre, you will enjoy much more. Thanks so much for commenting.

Percy Jackson novel is way better than the movie. (and different) :)

Beatrice wrote: "Percy Jackson novel is way better than the movie. (and different) :)"

Agreed and I was also sorry to see Pierce Brosnan as a centaur! :))) After being James Bond, one could really do better than that!

Beatrice wrote: "Percy Jackson novel is way better than the movie. (and different) :)"

It's a definite read for me then.

Vardan wrote: "Beatrice wrote: "Percy Jackson novel is way better than the movie. (and different) :)"

Agreed and I was also sorry to see Pierce Brosnan as a centaur! :))) After being James Bond, one could really..."

I was surprised to see him in that role, but hey...work is work :)

Vardan wrote: "Beatrice wrote: "Percy Jackson novel is way better than the movie. (and different) :)"

Agreed and I was also sorry to see Pierce Brosnan as a centaur! :))) After being James Bond, one could really..."

Actually he fits as a centaur. he's good at it. :)

Greek mythology is my favorite, and with Asian a very close second. I got into the latter from all the anime I've watched. They're so detailed and creative. And Greek mythology has a habit of creeping into my own writing. Something just draws me to it.

I did read a few of the Percy Jackson books but I think I'm too old to get full enjoyment out of it. They're amazing books for the intended audience though.

Well, I'm not one of the intended audience and I enjoyed them very much.

I love the myths of the North, Greece and Sumeria. The Elder Edda, A Selection Translated from the Icelandic by Paul B. Taylor and W. H. Auden, published by Faber and Faber, is a good introduction to Norse myth. And there is Weland: Smith of the Gods by Ursula Synge, a retelling of the tale of Volund the smith and the swan maidens of Valhalla. Gilgamesh opens the gate to Sumerian myth. Homer holds the key to Greek myth.

Kathy wrote: "Well, I'm not one of the intended audience and I enjoyed them very much."

Maybe I've lost touch with my inner child? I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone but he lost me after the second book.

S.M. wrote: "Greek mythology is my favorite, and with Asian a very close second. I got into the latter from all the anime I've watched. They're so detailed and creative. And Greek mythology has a habit of creep..."

S.M., I agree. Though I enjoyed the the topic and the storyline, it was just to young for me. But, I think it's great that he's writing for the younger generation and they can learn all about mythology.

All mythology is fun.

Carl wrote: "All mythology is fun."

That's how I look at it. It's a way to break from my own human, mundane life lol

I.Love.Celtic.Myths.

I also love the myths of Native Americans, but I'm afraid I don't know that many.

My current project is a retelling of Norse myths. It's been a journey I've loved, but I'm quite certain, I will move on to the Celts next.

Hi! I'm new to this group. I love mythology. Of course everything Greek, but I'm also extremely fascinated by all Mesopotamian myths. I could use some good recommendations on the latter. Ultimately, I'd like to read about all kinds of mythology worldwide, but time, time, time .... ;-).