Best Interpretations of Myth

[matt.ishii]

Specifically Arthurian myth. I just read v1 of Age of Bronze which was quite good, though my favorite iteration of the Trojan War has to be David Gemmell's Troy series, which starred Aeneas, Andromache, and Moses (that's a spoiler, but if that appeals to you, you should read it too).

Anyways I'm really into the idea of Arthurian myth, but I've never been satisfied by any of the versions I have read. They just haven't brought out my sense of wonder. I have seen or read: The Once and Future King, Merlin (TV), and a few other random other ones (like a 300 page picture book version, a merlin kids' series, come the demon Etrigan). I should read Mists of Avalon, but besides that, what is there?

I would also love to know more about other myth cycles. I know nothing of Gilgamesh, nothing of American myths, nothing of Norse myth, I'm quite familiar with the Bible because of a comic book version I had as a kid, and nothing of Asian myth cycles (though all the human drama from those countries seem to be from actual histories)

TL: DR Discussion Topic: What are your favorite modern day interpretations of classic myths?

[thechrishaley]

(03-19-2012 01:15 PM)matt.ishii Wrote:  Specifically Arthurian myth. I just read v1 of Age of Bronze which was quite good, though my favorite iteration of the Trojan War has to be David Gemmell's Troy series, which starred Aeneas, Andromache, and Moses (that's a spoiler, but if that appeals to you, you should read it too).

Anyways I'm really into the idea of Arthurian myth, but I've never been satisfied by any of the versions I have read. They just haven't brought out my sense of wonder. I have seen or read: The Once and Future King, Merlin (TV), and a few other random other ones (like a 300 page picture book version, a merlin kids' series, come the demon Etrigan). I should read Mists of Avalon, but besides that, what is there?

I would also love to know more about other myth cycles. I know nothing of Gilgamesh, nothing of American myths, nothing of Norse myth, I'm quite familiar with the Bible because of a comic book version I had as a kid, and nothing of Asian myth cycles (though all the human drama from those countries seem to be from actual histories)

TL: DR Discussion Topic: What are your favorite modern day interpretations of classic myths?

I was way into Arthurian myths/legends in high school. I've got a bunch of books on the subject and found ways to write a number of papers on the subject(s), but I'm disappointed in myself to realize that I have apparently retained very little of that information. :\

[Koltreg]

I've read through most of The Once and Future King but I've never had the energy or time to finish it.

I personally love world mythologies and the ideas of characters which tie into a lot of the work I do. I think a lot of people mess up the underlying ideas when they go for the spectacle instead. The ideas are supposed to ultimately mean something - they aren't supposed to be sound and fury signifying nothing.

I love the original Clash of the Titans film though it isn't fully accurate and the same with Jason and the Argonauts though once more, it isn't fully accurate. I have fond memories of that made for tv Jason and the Argonauts and the 1001 Arabian Nights but for a big recent film, I can't think of much.

[matt.ishii]

(03-19-2012 01:46 PM)Koltreg Wrote:  I love the original Clash of the Titans film though it isn't fully accurate and the same with Jason and the Argonauts though once more, it isn't fully accurate. I have fond memories of that made for tv Jason and the Argonauts and the 1001 Arabian Nights but for a big recent film, I can't think of much.

Never thought to check Clash of the Titans out, but I will add that onto the list. Also I was thinking, Oedipus Rex, while as far from modern as you can get, is still very readable even today (though I read the modern English version) in a way that most other primary source versions of these stories just aren't

[Koltreg]

The original Clash of the Titans gets the idea.

Oedipus like a lot of stories misses a lot of cultural context unfortunately but Rex does translate well.