I really enjoyed Stephen Fry's Mythos, and I knew that much as I love mythology, I really didn't want to slog through any translation of the Iliad again...so I read Fry's Troy. It's 100% a retelling of the story of the Iliad, but with lots of the backstory and aftermath filled in.
For example, the Iliad begins with Achilles sulking in his tent and refusing to fight because Agammemnon has taken away beautiful Briseis, the girl that Achilles picked as his trophy. It ends with Hector's death and funeral. But, wow, there is so much more to the story than that!
Fry explains why the Trojan War happened--basically a beauty contest between Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite judged by an unwitting Paris and instigated by another god, the one of strife and mischief. He explains who Paris is--yes, a prince of Troy but also a foundling, abandoned by his parents because it was foretold that he would be the cause of Troy's downfall.
He also gives us Achilles's backstory--not as good as in Madeline Miller's Song of Achilles--but still interesting and helpful to understanding who Achilles is. There are ample footnotes and asides and tangents to fill in most of the rest of the holes that Homer's tale assumes his readers already know--who the various gods are and why some have grudges or owe favors to others, why they protect certain cities, and why they seem hell-bent on destroying others.
Once again, I was firmly on the side of the Trojans and hoping against hope that Hector and Priam would survive and that somebody would finally listen to Cassandra and heed her many warnings. I cheered when Aeneas and his family escaped to found Rome--looking forward to reading Lauren Bear's Mother of Rome, which just came out.
Fry includes the story of the Trojan Horse--Odysseus's brainchild--and the horrific sacking of Troy, which Homer left out but which the Greek playwrights fully covered.
As with Medusa's Sisters, which I loved, the net-net is that humankind is better off when the gods stay on Olympus and stay out of human events. They can squabble all they want amongst themselves, but back off and leave the mortals alone!
Fry also has Odyssey, which I plan to read in the not-too-distant future, and I still need to read his Heroes.
I know that many high schoolers still tackle the Iliad and the Odyssey as part of the standard curriculum--I never did because except for Shakespeare, my high school was devoted to strictly American authors :(.
While I think it is is important that kids learn the Greek and Roman myths and legends, as well as the history, I think Fry's funny, wry, and readable approach will give them a better experience than Homer's. That said, I'm glad that I did actually read the Homeric versions, in translation of course, but they are not for the faint of heart. I think Homer's versions are important to read if you want to understand the evolution of literature, but if you just want the story, Fry's retelling wins hands-down.
And, yes, I fully intend to rewatch the 2004 movie Troy with Brad Pitt as Achilles, Sean Bean as Odysseus, Eric Bana as Hector, and a really great cast overall. One of the things I love about this movie version of the story is that the gods are not depicted at all.
Really nice review of Stephen Fry's Troy and I know I want to read The Odyssey but I have never read The Illiad and instead of reading it I will go with Troy. I do want to study mythology a bit and have been searching around and there is a book Bulfinch's Mythology which I might check out.
ReplyDeleteBullfinch's Mythology is definitely a classic. I enjoy reading about mythology, particularly the modern retellings that provide a different perspective on the traditional versions.
DeleteI have read Mythos and hoped I would get better through that labyrinth of Greek mythology. Unfortunately, not even the otherwise brilliant Stephen Fry could make it any more understandable for me. I guess, the Greek gods are not for me.
ReplyDeleteIn Troy, Fry explicitly states that the reader shouldn't need to even try to keep all the genealogy of the gods straight in order to appreciate and enjoy the story.
DeleteI know he said that. But I wanted to learn about the Greek mythology and I definitely cannot read a book without understanding the background. That's not me.
DeleteI read both the Iliad and the Odyssey when I was in college. I greatly preferred Odyssey. Too much warfare in the Iliad, I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat I like about this version is that it is not all blood and guts the way the Iliad is--which I found excessive, although the ending, the sacking of Troy, was tough going. I agree that the adventures of Odysseus are more entertaining.
DeleteThis is the version of the Iliad that I need to read! I might actually finish this one. ;D
ReplyDeleteIf this had been around when I wanted to read the Iliad, I probably would have opted for this version myself!
DeleteI admit I struggle with mythology and reading about the Gods. But I liked the recent movie The Return and apparently Christopher Nolan is filming The Odyssey coming out in 2026! I have never seen the movie Troy ... so I might look into how to find it now ... Eric Bana is delightful, lol. Did you ever watch Munich?
ReplyDeleteA new movie of the Odyssey. Yes, please! No, I never did see Munich. I still want to see The Return.
DeleteThis is def one of my fav versions of the Illiad. The odyssey (og) is much more interesting than the illiad in my opinion so having a more modern lens to read the Illiad through definitely helps. It you haven’t read Helen of Troy by Margaret George it’s a great version from Helen’s perspective
ReplyDeleteOohh, putting the Margaret George Helen of Troy on the tbr list now! Thanks for the comment (and for the book!), Sarah! I love to talk mythology with you.
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