18 books like Modern mythology

What to read after Modern mythology — books similar to it, matched on shared themes.

The Hobbit J.R.R. Tolkien · 1937 · ★ 4.3 · 284p · ≈ 9h · Challenging The Hobbit is a tale of high adventure, undertaken by a company of dwarves in search of dragon-guarded gold. A reluctant partner in this perilous quest is Bilbo Baggins, a comfort-loving unambitious hobbit, who surprises even himself by his resourcefulness and skill as a burglar. Encounters with trolls, goblins, dwarves, elves, and giant spiders, conversations with the dragon, Smaug, and a… Shares: Community pick

Myth and ritual in Christianity Alan Watts · 1953 · 262p · ≈ 8h · Moderate A penetrating and wide-ranging study of mythological processes and their particular manifestation in Christian religion, Alan Watt's Myth and Ritual in Christianity is widely considered a classic. Using the lens of the "doctrine of mystical tradition", Watts explores the development of church doctrine in relation to the procession of seasons and finds, contrary to many contemporary critics, that… Shares: Mythology

World mythology Donna Rosenberg · 1986 · ★ 4.4 · 561p · ≈ 18h · Moderate Shares: Mythology

Chimera John Barth · 1972 · ★ 3.7 · 308p · ≈ 10h · Moderate Barth retells the tales of Scheherezade of the Thousand and One Nights, Perseus, and Bellerophon from varying perspectives, examining the myths' relationship to reality and their resonance with the contemporary world. Dunyazade, Scheherazade's kid sister, holds the destiny of herself and the prince who holds her captive. Perseus, the demigod who slew the Gorgon Medusa, finds himself at forty… Shares: Mythology

Eros Teri Temple · 2012 · 32p · ≈ 1h · Moderate None (Hesiod)Hesiod, Theogony https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0130%3Acard%3D104 116–122] states that Gaia, Tartarus and Eros come after Chaos, but this does not necessarily mean that they are the offspring of Chaos. Gantz, pp.… Shares: Mythology

Comparative mythology F. Max Müller · 1909 · 184p · ≈ 6h · Challenging Comparative mythology is the comparison of myths from different cultures in an attempt to identify shared themes and characteristics.Littleton, p. 32 Comparative mythology has served a variety of academic purposes. For example, scholars have used the relationships between different myths to trace the development of religions and cultures, to propose common origins for myths from different… Shares: Mythology

Hephaestus Teri Temple · 2012 · 32p · ≈ 1h · Moderate Hephaestus ( , ; eight spellings; ) is the Greek god of artisans, blacksmiths, carpenters, craftsmen, fire, metallurgy, metalworking, sculpture, and volcanoes.Walter Burkert, Greek Religion 1985: III.2.ii; see coverage of Lemnos-based traditions and legends at Mythic Lemnos In Greek mythology, Hephaestus was the son of Hera, either on her own or by her husband Zeus. He was cast off Mount Olympus… Shares: Mythology

Manual of mythology A. S. Murray · 1873 · 368p · ≈ 12h · Challenging Dr. Murray Stein’s prolific career has produced a substantial body of writings, lectures, and interviews. His writings, captured in these volumes, span a wide domain of topics including Christianity, individuation, midlife, the practice of analytical psychology, and topics in contemporary society. His deep understanding of analytical psychology is much more than an academic discourse, but rather… Shares: Mythology

Sun lore of all ages William Tyler Olcott · 1914 · 346p · ≈ 11h · Challenging This book contains a collection of myths and legends concerning the sun. Shares: Mythology

Manual of mythology A. S. Murray · 1873 · 399p · ≈ 13h · Challenging Dr. Murray Stein’s prolific career has produced a substantial body of writings, lectures, and interviews. His writings, captured in these volumes, span a wide domain of topics including Christianity, individuation, midlife, the practice of analytical psychology, and topics in contemporary society. His deep understanding of analytical psychology is much more than an academic discourse, but rather… Shares: Mythology

The golden age of myth & legend Thomas Bulfinch · 1900 · 495p · ≈ 16h · Challenging The Age of Fable is a Mythological type of book. It contains many Greek and Roman myths, including simplified versions of The Iliad and The Odyssey, as well as a selection of Norse and “eastern” myths. Thomas Bulfinch’s goal was to make the ancient myths accessible to a wide audience, and so it is suitable for children. Shares: Mythology

Traditions of the Tinguian Fay-Cooper Cole · 1915 · 248p · ≈ 8h · Challenging Abstracts: p. 202-226. Shares: Mythology

The children of Odin Padraic Colum · 1920 · 280p · ≈ 9h · Challenging Padraic Colum retells the full cycle of Norse mythology starting with their creation myths, through the rise of the AEsir and Vanir gods, and their many adventures, which culminate in Ragnarok (a battle between good and evil), and, the rise of the world of men and women. Colum’s retelling is gripping, and, a wonderful introduction to an astoundingly complete mythology for readers of all ages. Shares: Mythology

The Norse Myths Kevin Crossley-Holland · 1980 · ★ 3.9 · 276p · ≈ 9h · Moderate After a lengthy detailed introduction on background material, the important myths are retold. Shares: Mythology

Nordic gods and heroes Padraic Colum · 1996 · 126p · ≈ 4h · Moderate A collection of Norse myths and legends featuring such gods as Odin, Thor, Frey, and Freya. Shares: Mythology

In the days of giants Abbie Farwell Brown · 1902 · 259p · ≈ 8h · Challenging "This book is made of the stories told by the Northern folk,-the people who live in the land of the midnight sun, where summer is green and pleasant, but winter is a terrible time of cold and gloom; where rocky mountains tower like huge giants, over whose heads thunder rolls and crashes, and under whose feet are mines of precious metals."--p.1-2. Shares: Mythology

Favorite Norse Myths Mary Pope Osborne · 1996 · ★ 4.0 · 87p · ≈ 2h · Moderate A collection of rarely retold tales from the "Elder Edda" and the "Younger Edda," two six-hundred-year-old Norse manuscripts. Shares: Mythology

Myths of the Norsemen from the Eddas and sagas H. A. Guerber · 1908 · 396p · ≈ 13h · Challenging This vintage book contains a comprehensive encyclopedia of ancient Scandinavian mythology. It includes explanations of many important tales and explores the meanings and symbolism of the characters and deities, all of which is interspersed with authentic poetry. Contents include: “The Beginning”, “Odin”, “Frigga”, “Thor”, “Tyr”, “Bragi”, “Idun”, “Niörd”, “Frey”, “Uller”, “Forseti”, “Heimdall”,… Shares: Mythology

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