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Adaptations of Greek myths: The Gorgon's Head, The Golden Touch, The Paradise of Children, The Three Golden Apples, The Miraculous Pitcher, and The Chimaera.
themulhern: In the first story in the collection, also "The Ladies of Grace Adieu", one of the ladies tells a little bedtime story of John Uskglass, the Raven King, when he is but a child. The two children for whom the story is invented are orphans, under the care of their governess, who is another of the ladies. The point of the story is that the two children should not fear some things of a magical and sinister nature that they have noticed, because those things are really for their protection. The manner in which the story is told seems influenced at least by Hawthorne's stories from the Greek myths, which adapt many of the settings and actions to be more familiar or more like the school stories of Hawthorne's own time.… (more)
I am a fan of mythology specifically greek mythology because this is meant for children it's a bit easier for them to comprehend but that doesn't mean I would not still love mythology. ( )
Nathaniel Hawthorne rewrote some of the most famous Greek myths, sanitizing and adapting them for American children. Somehow he manages to tell these stories without ever mentioning that a lot of the characters are gods. I kept thinking how much I should hate them, but I ended up enjoying them. Hawthorne's versions are well told, with a lot of humor tucked in. I especially liked the framing story of the college student who tells the stories, whom I suspect Hawthorne modeled after his younger self. ( )
This is the perfect book for students who love the Percy Jackson books, want more Greek Mythology (told in fleshed-out, lyrical stories) and are capable of more complex writing. I read this to my kids after we read the Lightning Thief. Despite the fact that Hawthorne's language isn't easy, I think they liked these stories almost more than they liked Riordan. Definitely for stronger readers, though! ( )
Introductory Note: Even from the data to be obtained by a perusal of his works, the general reader will be likely to infer that Hawthorne took a vital interest in child-life; and in his published Note-Books are found many brief memoranda which indicate his disposition to write for children.
Preface: The author has long been of opinion that many of the classical myths were capable of being rendered into very capital reading for children.
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At sight of the glorious radiance of the Golden Fleece, the nine-and-forty heroes gave a mighty shout, and Orpheus, striking his parp, sang a song of triumph, to the cadence of which the galley flew over the water, homeward bound, as if careering along with wings!
Adaptations of Greek myths: The Gorgon's Head, The Golden Touch, The Paradise of Children, The Three Golden Apples, The Miraculous Pitcher, and The Chimaera.
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Wikipedia in English
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