Greek Mythology
库恩Shanghai Translation Publishing House · ChinaAug 2016
Rating 4.3- Word count
- 317K words
- Chapters
- 11
- ISBN
- 9787532753512
Tags
World Classics Historical AnecdotesGods and MortalsHeroic AdventureAllusion ReadingLiberal EnlightenmentCreation MythsAncient WorldMythological SystemWestern OriginsGods and LegendsSummary
Mythology is a product of humanity's childhood and possesses an enduring charm. Greek mythology has been passed down through the ages thanks to its relatively complete system and distinctive literary appeal. Together with biblical mythology, it has exerted a comprehensive and profound influence on religion, philosophy, thought, customs, natural science, literature, and art throughout the Western world and indeed all of humanity. Anyone who comes into contact with Western culture will inevitably encounter allusions drawn from Greek mythology, and nearly every important work of the Western literary canon involves characters and plots from Greek mythology—some even draw their material directly from it. Today, although we need not "talk of nothing but Greece," a systematic understanding of Greek mythology is essential for every modern person.Editor's review
Kuhn's Greek Mythology, in the classic translation published by Shanghai Translation Publishing House, has maintained a Douban rating above 8.0 and is widely acclaimed by readers. This book is not a simple compilation of stories but the fruit of the German scholar Kuhn's systematic organization and literary re-creation of the vast and complex Greek mythological system, grounded in rigorous academic research. Its greatest value lies in its successful balance between scholarly accuracy and literary readability. Kuhn's narrative preserves the classical lineage traceable to Hesiod's Theogony while incorporating the fluency of modern storytelling, making the intricate genealogical relationships and fate-laden heroic epics clear and compelling.Compared with the many simplified versions aimed at young readers on the market, Kuhn's edition is closer to an "adult's mythology." It does not shy away from the primitive violence, eroticism, and cruelty of fate in the myths, while profoundly revealing the eternal questions about human nature, power, ethics, and order that they contain. Reading this book, readers can not only revisit classic stories—the feuds of the Olympian gods, the Trojan War from beginning to end, the labors of Heracles—but also appreciate the far-reaching influence of mythology as a source of Western civilization in philosophy, art, psychology, and other fields. The Shanghai Translation Publishing House edition is a translation of high quality, faithful to the rigorous and elegant style of Kuhn's original, making it a rare and excellent volume for gaining a deep understanding of Greek mythology.
Who it's for
A good fit for
- Readers interested in the roots of Western culture who wish to understand the Greek mythological system systematically
- Literature lovers who appreciate narratives that combine literary beauty with intellectual depth
- Students or researchers in the humanities and social sciences who need reliable mythological source material
- Adult readers who are not satisfied with fairy-tale adaptations and wish to encounter the original, complex face of myth
Not a good fit for
- Young readers or casual readers seeking short, quick, episodic collections of myths
- Visual-oriented readers who prefer books with abundant fine illustrations to aid reading
Reading tips
- Begin with the preface and introduction to understand Kuhn's editorial approach and the basic framework of the myths
- Keep a genealogical chart of the Greek gods on hand while reading to help sort out the complex relationships among characters
- Read the myths alongside later Western literature and art to appreciate their far-reaching influence
About the publisher
Shanghai Translation Publishing House China · Founded in 1978Shanghai Translation Publishing House is a Chinese publisher oriented mainly toward translation and publishing. Its publications cover foreign literature, world classics and classic works, as well as social culture, folk literature and classical poetry. The database contains 2,618 titles, including Never Let Me Go, Les Misérables (2 volumes), Don Quixote (illustrated collector's edition), The Complete Comedies of Molière (4 volumes), The Complete Novels of Kafka (3 volumes), The Collected Works of Dostoevsky (9-volume set), Reason and Persons, and Oedipus Rex (Translation Classics). Its author resources include foreign writers such as Kazuo Ishiguro, Victor Hugo, Cervantes and Molière, as well as translators such as Zheng Kelu, Sun Jiameng, Li Jianwu and Zhang Kun. The publisher has brands such as "Translation Classics Selections" and "Translation Documentary," and emphasizes translated works in foreign literature and the humanities and social sciences, while also publishing bilingual dictionaries and foreign-language educational books. Public information is limited; the above is based on the book information in the database.
Contents
- 版权信息
- 译本序
- 第一部 神祇与英雄
- 神祇
- 英雄
- 第二部 古希腊史诗
- 阿耳戈船英雄
- 特洛伊的故事
- 俄底修斯的故事
- 阿伽门农和儿子俄瑞斯忒斯
- 忒拜的故事
FAQ
What are the main differences between this book and commonly available Greek Myths (such as Schwab's version)?
Kuhn's version places greater emphasis on scholarly and systematic organization; its style is more elegant and more faithful to the spiritual core of the classical texts. Versions such as Schwab's lean more toward storytelling for a general audience, with more literary re-creation and more dramatically emphasized plots.Is this book suitable as extracurricular reading for young people?
The content is in-depth, touches on some primitive mythological themes, and the language is fairly formal. It may suit upper-secondary students with strong curiosity and good reading ability, but for most young people a dedicated young-adult adaptation would be easier to approach and more accessible.Will readers without relevant background knowledge find it difficult?
Kuhn's narrative is itself well guided, and the book includes necessary notes. With a little patience and by following the author's organization, readers can fully enter the world of myth. Approaching it as a systematic course of study rather than scattered entertainment will yield a better reading experience.Related on WeRead
希腊神话：这个宙斯不对劲！ 左转的红灯This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.
About the author
库恩 AuthorKuhn is an author whose biographical details remain unverified; public information is limited, and no clear record of nationality, dates of birth and death, or educational background is available. The only work confirmed under the name Kuhn is Greek Mythology. Classified among world classics, the book is generally treated in Chinese publishing as a readable introduction to the genealogies of the Greek gods, heroic legends, and mythical tales. Works of this kind typically trace the origins of the divine order, the relationships among the gods, and the adventures of heroes, combining narrative appeal with cultural context so that general readers can approach the Western mythological tradition. With so little biographical material, one cannot assess Kuhn's standpoint or sources; readers may instead focus on the text itself—how it organizes a vast body of myths, which versions it selects, and whether the language is clear and fluent. For newcomers to Greek mythology, a work published under this name can serve as an introductory reference.