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Arcadian Days

Gods, Women and Men from Greek Myth – from the winner of the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction
By John Spurling
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Arcadian Days by John Spurling explores timeless Greek myths, delving into themes of love, power, and human struggle. Through evocative storytelling, Spurling brings mythological tales to life, capturing the essence of legendary characters in their quests, conflicts, and desires. These retellings offer a fresh perspective on classic narratives, making ancient stories resonate with contemporary readers.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by Greek mythology and appreciate well-crafted storytelling. It's a rich exploration of ancient tales, bringing legendary characters and their world vividly to life. This book may appeal to you if you enjoy blending history and myth with depth and imagination.

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Taking inspiration from the incomparably beautiful and intense poetry of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, Spurling - a lifelong classicist and historical novelist - spins five more myths for contemporary readers.

A dazzling reimagining of the stories of Prometheus and Pandora, Jason and the sorceress Medea, Oedipus and his daughter Antigone, Achilles and his mother Thetis, and Odysseus and Penelope

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Greek myths, refined by the great poets and playwrights of Ancient Greece, distil the essence of human life: its brief span, its pride, courage and insecurity, its anxious relationship with the natural world - earth, sea and sky, represented by powerful gods and monsters.

Taking inspiration from the incomparably beautiful and intense poetry of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, Spurling - a lifelong classicist and an award-winning playwright and historical novelist - spins five more myths for contemporary readers. These captivating tales centre on male-female pairs - Prometheus and Pandora, Jason and the sorceress Medea, Oedipus and his daughter Antigone, Achilles and his mother Thetis, Odysseus and Penelope - that destroyed dynasties, raised and felled heroes, and sealed the fates of men.

Arcadian Days offers a fresh retelling of these timeless stories, blending ancient tradition with contemporary insight.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Arcadian Days by John Spurling has been noted for its vivid reimagining of Greek myths with poetic storytelling. Reviews highlight the author's expertise in bringing ancient tales to life, offering a fresh perspective and deep psychological insight into well-known characters. The book's narrative style is praised for its eloquence and the ability to engage readers through historical and mythical landscapes.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780715654569

Publisher: Duckworth Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 26 May 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Duckworth

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Education & Reference Fiction General Fiction Greek Mythology Health & Wellness John Spurling Literary Fiction Self-Help & Personal Development

About the Author

John Spurling is an award-winning historical novelist and playwright whose plays have been performed on TV, radio and stage, including at the National Theatre. Among his novels is The Ten Thousand Things, which was highly acclaimed and won the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. He has reviewed for a range of newspapers, magazines and BBC radio, and was for twelve years the art critic of the New Statesman. He lives in London and formerly in Arcadia, Greece, and is married to the biographer Hilary Spurling.

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