Tanglewood Tales: A Wonder-Book For Girls And Boys (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
I loved this book and you will too if you love Greek Mythology. As soon as my grandma told me this book had Greek Mythology I quickly snatched it from her hands. I was able to quickly get into the book after the prologue(which confused me a little). My favorite chapter was "The Pomegranate Seeds" which is a similar to the familiar story of Hades and Persephone but, is enriched with more detail and different characters. I just love a story with a good kidnapping scene, I don't know why but I do. My least favorite part was the prologue and the begining of a chapter called "The Pygmies" they had some characters I recognized in other stories such as "Huckle Berry Finn". This confused me, especially in the begining of the chapter "The Pygmies" because it used these characters(some of whom I was unfamiliar with) to describe objects. "Foolish woman," answered Ceres, "did you not promise to entrust this poor infant entirely to me? You little know the mischief you have done him." end quote. I think this quote teaches us that breaking our promises sometimes have dire consequences. In any case always strive to keep your promises. Promises have no value unless kept. "to find time from his kingly duties to teach them their A B C-which he invented for their benefit, and for which many people, I am afraid, are not half so grateful to him as they ought to be." end quote. This quote I believe teaches us to be grateful for even the smallest things; Things that we use everyday and take for granted such as our ABC's. I highly recomend this book to every student within my english class. It's a great book of fantasy and make-believe, probably the only classic of it's kind. It has a bit of something for everyone, it's an easy read, has mulitple stories(so you won't get bored), and it's a book that will surely expand your vocabulary(BONUS!). This book also has a bit of personality to it. Since it is read at times from the story tellers point of view(he has some interesting side-comments) and then goes back to the main character. A five-star book (average four) need I say more?
This is a delightful edition of Hawthorne's Greek mythology for young readers. With a heavy cloth imprint, 150 gsm premium paper, and the 1920s illustrations from Virginia Frances Sterrett, this is one of those books that takes pride-of-place on the bookshelf. Essentially a reprint of the 1921 Penn Publishing volume, this is a win-win for youngster and adult alike.Mr. Hawthorne wrote these tales as a way to have the myths explained for younger ears. And I do mean "ears" as these stories are meant to be read aloud to children, who will appreciate the wonder of Jason and the Golden Fleece, the terror of the Minotaur, the humor of Giant and the Pygmies, the adventures of Ulysses, the sadness of Mother Ceres, and the shock of the Dragon's Teeth. With his New England Puritan touch, Hawthorne turns these famous characters into accessible good-vs-evil allegories, and the illustrations make everything work together.Sterrett's artwork is art-deco-ish with lithe males and elegant women. Really a treasure, such a shame she died so young. Book Season = Autumn (moonbeams)
What do You think about Tanglewood Tales: A Wonder-Book For Girls And Boys (2005)?
I didn't rate this because I chose to walk away from it. I won't say it was bad - the writing was fine. I just tend to prefer my fairy tales and myths with all the dark edges and dirty bits, so the cleanup wasn't to my taste. Hawthorne's child-proofing of the myths goes so far that he makes Ariadne stay with her father out of filial devotion, rather than running off with Theseus. I also found the use of Roman deity names in Greek myths annoying. While these may seem superficial reasons to walk away from a book, I have always loved the Greek myths and I didn't want to spend time reading sanitized retellings that I could use to read something new.
—Marissa Martin
All I will say is that Hawthorne is such a sneakily good re-teller of old myths and legends that it really is quite enjoyable. Kids and adults should find this collection of stories, which can read straight through as a novel because of the thread that Hawthorne weaves (the supposed story that he is the editor of some college student's stories), will find plenty in which to delight.I do recommend first reading "A Wonder Book for Girls and Boys." Not that it matters or anything, but you might feel a little confused with the introduction of Eustace Bright (the college student) and his rabble of children if you don't first read the other collection. No matter, though, if you come to Tanglewood Tales first. You'll still enjoy them. And you'll still have a more modern, American, and far more humorous telling of some old legends that many kids should learn to share with your kids, or to become acquainted with yourself.
—John Lucy
The book was ok in general, however I really hated the fact that it was so heavily censored and simplified. I found Hawthorne's storytelling pretty amusing, and some parts are really funny, but in general I don't think it's good for the people who don't know the true version of greek myths to read it as it will give them a lot of wrong impressions. I hated the Golden Fleece story, as it was censored the most and ended so abruptly that even if I didn't know the real version I would be really disapointed.
—Lilium
