Into the Forest discussion

Here is the place to discuss retellings, traditional tales, or books inspired by the mythology, folklore, or fairy tales with the theme Descent into the underworld

Myths with descent to the underworld.

 Orpheus and Eurydice
Hades abducting Persephone
The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld
Hercules fetching Cerberus
Charon the ferryman of the Dead
Izanagi and Izanami

Michele wrote: "Myths with descent to the underworld.

 Orpheus and Eurydice
Hades abducting Persephone
The Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld
Hercules fetching Cerberus
Charon the ferryman of the Dead
Izanagi a..."
I can add two more from Mesopotamian mythology :):

"Nergal and Ereshkigal"
"Enlil and Ninlil"

Arguably, Gilgamesh. I don't remember in which version Enkidu descents into the underworld and receives Gilgamesh's instruction, though.

True. Forgot those

I am going with a retelling of the first one

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl

Michele wrote: "True. Forgot those

I am going with a retelling of the first one

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl"

Looks great!

Our group member Tamara Agha-Jaffar has a good retelling of Hades and Persephone
A Pomegranate and the Maiden

I'm incidentally reading Daughter of Darkness by Katharine and Elizabeth Corr which is based on Greek mythology. I'm quite enjoying it so far!

Jalilah wrote: "Our group member Tamara Agha-Jaffar has a good retelling of Hades and Persephone
A Pomegranate and the Maiden"

Thank you for mentioning it, Jalilah.

My book, Testament of the Hollow is the most comprehensive on the subject of myths and legends about the underworld. I also have a unique perspective because I show how it fits with a Hollow Earth model. I hope you all give it a shot.

I haven't read too many descent to the underworld retellings. Here's what I got:

-Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro: Victorian era historical fantasy, character-driven.
-The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh: YA fantasy based on Korean folklore.
-Gallant by V.E. Schwab: YA gothic
-Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: Mayan mythology retelling
-Speak Easy by Catherynne M. Valente: Zelda Fitzgerald, historical fantasy novella

Margaret wrote: "I haven't read too many descent to the underworld retellings. Here's what I got:

-Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro: Victorian era historical fantasy, character-driv..."

Ah! Thank you for this, I was looking for a reason to read Ordinary Monsters this year! :P

Andy wrote: "Ah! Thank you for this, I was looking for a reason to read Ordinary Monsters this year! :P..."

It doesn't happen until the end, but it's a major plot point. I really enjoyed it!

Priscilla wrote: "My book, Testament of the Hollow is the most comprehensive on the subject of myths and legends about the underworld. I also have a unique perspective because I show how it fits with..."

Your book looks interesting! Thanks for letting us know about it!

Tamara wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Our group member Tamara Agha-Jaffar has a good retelling of Hades and Persephone
A Pomegranate and the Maiden"

Thank you for mentioning it, Jalilah."

A pleasure Tamara and I mean it!
Are there any other books you could recommend with Mesopotamian mythology involving descent into the underworld?

Jalilah wrote: "Are there any other books you could recommend with Mesopotamian mythology involving descent into the underworld?."

There's Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer. Inanna spends three days in the underworld before she is rescued. I've read several translations of the myth, and this collaboration between Samuel Noah Kramer, an expert on ancient Sumer, and Diane Wolkstein, a folklorist, is the best one I've read. I included selections of this in the text I wrote for Women in Religion courses: Women and Goddesses in Myth and Sacred Text.

If you're looking for Gilgamesh, I highly recommend Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic. It's a wonderful translation, with lots of analysis and insights on the epic. In this version, Enkidu has a vision of the underworld, but we don't actually see him going down there. After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh goes on a journey to visit his ancestor and find the secret of eternal life. He doesn't descend to the underworld, as such, but he does visit out-of-the world places, including the Twin Peaks, the Garden of the gods, and Dilmun. This would work if you stretch your definition of underworld to include other worldly places.

And if you're interested in a re-telling of the the Gilgamesh myth, I offer my Gilgamesh of Uruk.

If you want descents to the underworld from the classics, there is always Homer's The Odyssey or Virgil's The Aeneid. I can recommend some good translations of those if anyone is interested. I think someone has already mentioned the Eurydice/Orpheus story.

I'll let you know if I think of any others.

Tamara wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "Are there any other books you could recommend with Mesopotamian mythology involving descent into the underworld?."

There's Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and ..."</i>

Thank you Tamara! I’ve read and loved both [book:Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer and your book Gilgamesh of Uruk.
I have not read Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic, rather I read Gilgamesh: A New English Version
Do you find there is a huge difference between the 2?

Jalilah wrote: "I have not read Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic, rather I read Gilgamesh: A New English Version
Do you find there is a huge difference between the 2?.."

Gilgamesh: A New English Version by Mitchell was my favorite until I read Helle's Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic, and, honestly, there is a huge difference. Helle provides close textual and structural analysis of the epic, interpreting the main themes, and offering dazzling new insights. He breathes new life into the epic. His translation and analysis just blew me away. Of the 60+ books I read last year, this was by far my favorite.

Tamara wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I have not read Gilgamesh: A New Translation of the Ancient Epic, rather I read Gilgamesh: A New English Version
Do you find there is a huge difference between the 2?.."

[book:Gilg..."

Good to know! That might be my pick!

I read White Cat, Black Dog: Stories by Kelly Link and one of the stories, a retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, had the protagonist descend into Hell. It's one of my favorites from the collection, but the entire collection is fantastic.

I read White as Snow by Tanith Lee and give it 3.5 stars.



I loved many things about this book: the merging of Snow White and Hades/Persephone, the dark fairy tale writing, etc. What was extremely offputting was the (trigger warning) (view spoiler)[ rampant sexual abuse and rape throughout (hide spoiler)]

I used to love Tanith Lee's lush prose, but her books are really showing their age in certain aspects. Still, I often found the dark, dense, horror like atmosphere of her tales very appealing :)

Jamie wrote: "I read White as Snow by Tanith Lee and give it 3.5 stars.



I loved many things about this book: the merging of Snow White and Hades/Per..."

I feel like your trigger warning was part of a reclaiming the dark aspects of fairytale mood in the 90s (I see it's 2000 but close enough). I still see it today though! Ava Reid is very much in that legacy.

I also tend to really like dark. But...happy dark? That probably doesn't make sense. :)

I am reading Inanna for this prompt.
I am really liking it

Jalilah wrote: "I am reading Inanna for this prompt.
I am really liking it"

that's so good to hear! I just added that to my TBR!

Jalilah wrote: "I am reading Inanna for this prompt.
I am really liking it"

I hope to get to this as well! Hope it continues to be good! :)

Andy wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I am reading Inanna for this prompt.
I am really liking it"

I hope to get to this as well! Hope it continues to be good! :)"

I loved it! I cant wait for the next book which is supposed to come out in 2024

Jalilah wrote: "Andy wrote: "Jalilah wrote: "I am reading Inanna for this prompt.
I am really liking it"

I hope to get to this as well! Hope it continues to be good! :)"

I loved it! I cant wait f..."

Great! I hope not to wait too long to read it! :) -my TBR is out of control!-