Reading The Tea

Everyone, and I do mean everyone, must read Autiobiography of Red. I discovered this marvelous book thanks to Bronwen. Anne Carson weaves together a beautiful poem-novel, full of implausible things that one somehow finds oneself saying, “Of course. The boy has wings. Well, naturally.” I don’t think that I’ll ever be able to think of Heracles and Geryon the same way.

Speaking of books influenced by Greek mythology, I finally read The Thief, a novel people have been telling me for years that I must read. It was a thoroughly enjoyable book — great for late grade school especially. It had a great blend of adventure, mythology and plot twists. I felt at times that the characters weren’t quite consistent, but then — when are people really? I’m really looking forward to reading the second book in the series by Megan Whalen Turner.

If both these books get you in the mood to do some research into ancient Greece, check out The Art and Culture of Early Greece. The author, Jeffrey Hurwit, was one of the most memorable profs I took a class from. He took the subject that I was, to be honest, expecting to be a bit dry, and wove amazing stories. He told us about controversies in authenticity and date, and presented conflicting opinions by leading experts. Once in a while he’d slip in “and this piece was restored by me.”