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Greek mythology - few things are as epic as the stories of Herakles� deeds, Odysseus� wits, or Achilles� prowess. And here, we get one of THE most famous tales: the rise and fall of Troy.



Troy, the jewel of the Aegean Sea. Ruled by Priam, defended by Hector, but ultimately doomed by Paris. In this book, Stephen Fry once again proves his talent in not only knowing every detail of the source material but of also cunningly choosing what is interesting and important and what would be too repetitive or killing the reader with boredom (anyone having read The Iliad will know what I mean).

We follow different stories that explain how Troy came to be ruled by Priam (in fact, how Priam came to his name) - and who would have thought that Herakles had a lot to do with that?! - and are introduced to everyone who will become important in the actual battle for Troy.

Naturally, the book tells of the most famous bits, such as Paris� judgement with the apple or the abduction of Helen. However, Fry also makes sure to include lesser known facts such as the Nubians and Amazons coming to help Troy at one point or that Troy wasn’t destroyed once but twice (the first time by Herakles).
And, of course, no Greek myth would be complete without a host of idiot gods meddling and making even more of a mess of things.
Thus, there is heroism, naivité, stupidity, cowardice, cunning, strength, cruelty, arrogance and every other possible vice and virtue imaginable.

It was honestly refreshing to have the story somewhat streamlined without that diminishing the intricate tapestry this great epic tale weaves or its colorfulness. The author’s dry humor only added to the enjoyment (yes, I have both the hardcover and audiobook that is narrated by Fry himself).

I was gnashing my teeth whenever Paris was in the picture, I despaired at Priam wrongfully meaning so well with everyone (even the ones who didn’t deserve it), I wanted to punch Agamemnon from dusk ’til dawn, slap Helen until she got her senses back, and teach a number of these „grown men� some manners.
Moreover, my heart was bleeding for Andromache, Cassandra, Breseis and what must have been done to the survivors after the trick with the horse had been played and the city had been taken. Yes, the author is kind of glossing the worst of it over, but so many others have done it before him, too, so I can’t fault him for that - it’s the curse of a vivid imagination that everything inside me cramps up nevertheless because we all know how terrible humans can be and have been to one another.

It’s the mark of a wonderful story as well as an equally wonderful way of telling said wonderful story if you know exactly what will happen and yet find yourself at the edge of your seat when re-reading it. This is exactly what happened to me here.

Now all that’s left for me to do is hoping that Stephen Fry will also write his summary of the Odyssey!