Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #235393 in Books
• Published on: 1996-06-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
Six provocative essays assess the influence of fairy tales, legends, and myths on contemporary life, interweaving elements of classical mythology, pop culture, and current events into an incisive work of cultural criticism. Original. 15,000 first printing.

Customer Reviews

Six Myths of Our Time
If nothing else this collection of essays, originally broadcasted over the radio acts as a culturally diverse and aware reference guide; so much is covered coherently and originally by Warner that the extent of her research is clear and noteworthy.

Many Greek myths are drawn upon and myriad others from differing times and cultures to illustrate Warner's belief of the importance of such stories to understanding current and past issues, she draws links between behaviours expressed then and what their meanings and relevance are now. Six essays are contained in a small volume, making them to the point but in no way limited. Warner's writing is witty, intelligent and valuable to read if you are interested in the re-evaluation of myths or any of the individual subjects she discusses:

1. Monstrous Mothers
women over the top

2. Boys Will Be Boys
the making of the male

3. Little Angels, little Monsters
keeping childhood innocent

4. Beautiful Beasts
the call of the wild

5. Cannibal Tales
the hunger for conquest

6. Home
our famous island race

All of which are interesting, enlightening and poignant.

Incredibly intelligent!
These essays are some of the most interesting essays I've read in years. Warner integrates fairy tales, Greek myths, anthropology, and current cultural objects, events, and pasttimes to take on really interesting issues. Her essay "Boys will be Boys" is a must-read for gender classes; it discusses the lost narratives of masculinity, those that rewarded wit and cunning, and the current trend to show brute force prevailing. Those seeking to understand the Columbine shootings should have looked here first.