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 Posted: Mon Nov 01, 2004 2:17 pm
This is a section for acquired reading, sort of a book club among us, for the most part pertaining to mythology, gods, theology, and/or (but not limitted to) our own ideas about the materials within. The boundaries extend from religious textuals to the modern fantasy novel. It will not be a debate as to what is better, what is "righteous" or proper, or to what others tell us. If a source has been read by multiple people, lay out your own personal ideas and views of it. That's how we grow as a group, when our thoughts are given a chance to be seen, heard, and interpretted even as we interpret others.
[P.S. -- Sorry if I come off as cold, overly-proper, and perhaps a little "stern" but I feel we should have a source of mixed ethos, pathos, and logos (send me a mail if you want more info)]
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Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 10:38 pm
The first set of books I would like to submit, though the availability of them is quite hard to muster, is the Witch World series by Andre Norton.
This book series is about 30 in all, but it all started with a simple story that Ms. Norton had no idea would go so far. Divided into different "sets" there-in, she provides almost 40 years of story within a world where magic and the realm of possibility is stretched. From one man, to his children, to his grandchildren in the first branch. The second follows the houses of a far continent that are fighting their own war to live. The last are of blood from the old ages when all could control the magicks of the world. The culmination comes in a closing of all the gates from other worlds into the Witch World, ensuring no more wars.
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Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 4:07 pm
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper is a good book/series, from what I remember. It's been a long time since I read them and I need to read them again, but they were good. Probably a slightly lower reading-level then some might be used to, but the story is more important then the complexity of the writing right?
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Posted: Thu Nov 11, 2004 11:35 am
"The Book of Imaginary Creatures" (I am uncertain of the english translation, since I have only read it in portuguese) by Jorge Luis Borges is a great source for mythologic creatures from many cultures, and some even from the imaginary of his contemporary writers.
A must read to all mythology lovers.
"The Power of the Myth", "The Masks of God", "The Hero With A Thousand Faces" are all great books by Joseph Campbell that offer a new perspective on what is Myth and what is its purpose.
Anything you read from Joseph Campbell is great.
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:24 am
Hmm..so many books to reccomend!
Well, if you haven't read any of Madeline L'Engle's books, I really suggest you read them, though I was really into them in Junior High. Actually, I read them again in H.S. and still enjoyed my favorites from before.
Madeline L'Engle- A Wind in the Door, A Winkle in Time,
A Swiftly Tilting Planet (my favorite!), Many Waters
Also, Siddhartha is a good book. And if you are like I used to be (my own naive self) and you have no clue who Siddhatha is before you read it, then I won't ruin it for you by telling you- might make it less enjoyable as you journey with the guy.
I have more, but...ya, I'll think of them later. My cat thinks I'm catnip right now and I having difficultly typing without...pain... sweatdrop
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Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:45 am
Oh I feel so bad for forgeting to add Siddartha on my recomendations...
Read also, from the same author: Demian, The Steppenwolf, Gertrud... (well actually I love all his books)
The author's name is Herman Hesse, by the way.
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Gothic Romantic Vice Captain
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Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 3:48 pm
I personally like the allusions in books. Like in William Faulkner's As I lay Dying. It's a very peculiar plot and a unique chapter sequence, but if you can catch the hints and tips of the myths used, then you'll understand it the better. ^_^
...and of course, no one can forget the epic poetry of ancient Greece. Argonauticus (Jason and the Argonauts) was the first recorded story that involved a great crew with their diverse traits, a journey to a far away land AND it was based on shreds of fact, like most fables. The Odyssey by Homer is also recommended if not already read. It's a wonderful story of battles, wits and lies.
I agree that Campbell is a great author. His works inspired me to look deeper into myths and legends, seeing the hidden and cryptic thoughts that most people don't catch, yet automatically 'get'.
Tolkien...my idol. His works are the very reason I was so attracted to mythology, and the deeper I searched the more I understood. I may not have an Oxford degree in Folklore and Culture liie him, but I am self taught about the forementioned subjects.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2004 5:21 pm
Good Omens and the Sandman series are pretty nice twists to theology and mythology. Hrm...Neil Gaimen, Philosopher.... lol ^_^ Though you may not see it, I can tell that the earlier Star Wars movies were inspired by myths, allusions, dreams and legends. There are many stereotypical parts in 'epic stories'...but I'll go Myth class on ya later. (I miss Mrs. Albright *sniff*)
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Gothic Romantic Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 1:09 pm
Well, the Jedi seem very much like the Samurai, and their names even sound oriental. 3nodding "Obi Wan Kenobi" and all.
I just finished reading a very interesting "modern times" type book called American Gods. It's got some... very adult situations, so if such things make you uncomfortable, I wouldn't suggest it. But if you can get over that sort of thing, it's a really good book.
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:52 pm
...but I mean the stereotypes. Like the hero and the path he has to take (I'll have to find my old school notes to remember them all). Just in the A New Hope, there's the wise man (Obi Wan Kinobi), the inexperienced hero (Luke), the mercinary (Han Solo), the dictator (Darth Vader) and even the hidden true evil (Emperor).
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Gothic Romantic Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:43 pm
Or we can just close the Star Wars discussion with the statement that Star Wars is a jumbled rip-off of the Lord of the Rings, which is a twisted rip-off of Das Rheingold, which is a warped rip-off of the old myths.
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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:27 pm
Now that would be something that I would disagree with. Tolkien was a folklorist, and he did do extensive research into the Norse myths, but he incorporated all of the following: Norse mythology, the Volsunga Saga, Arthurian legends, Carolingian legends, Celtic & Saxon myths, Germanic romance, the Nibelungenlied, Greek & Roman myths, Biblical myths, Oriental myths, and Alchemic tales.
Tolkien was genius to, not just create a living world for all of the myths to coincide, but he also invented entire languages for the creatures of Middle Earth, including Elven, Dwarven and even Black Speech. He even created a timeline from begining to end...and it all started with a single phrase written on a students paper.
"In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit."
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Gothic Romantic Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 5:37 pm
Tolkien's writings, as published by his son, show that he centerred on the combination of Beowulf and Das Rheingold. He never even HEARD of the Oriental myths. They aren't noted anyone in his journals. You can assume such, but I think we've all learned by now that you love assuming what isn't proven.
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Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:32 pm
I don't see how Star Wars can be considered to be a rip-off from Lord of the Rings. It is clear that the saga was inspired by the work of Joseph Campbell (as stated specifically in "The Power of Myth") but to say that it is like Tolkien is a big jump.
Also, it may not seem at first look, but Tolkien's writtings resemble Christian thinking and myth more than any other, albeit using many elements from Norse myths.
But then, to say he was a genius just because he went into great detail and even developed languages... that is a bit too much. Tolkien was a linguist after all. That being said, his works did influence fantasy and continues to be one of the most important creations of the genre.
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Gothic Romantic Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:21 am
Before any more accusations versus John Ronald Rual Tolkien, please read "Tolkien's Ring" by David Day. It covers what myths were used, where they were used and why they were used in the epic trilogy.And for further reading, I would note that the Earthsea saga (popularized recently by the mini-series on the Sci Fi channel) very much resembles the Lord of the Rings. I do admit, it is quite similar, but not the same.
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