Mythos: The Greek Myths Reimagined, by Stephen Fry

I'm so happy that I decided to read another comprehensive overview of Greek mythology.  I say this partly because repetition breeds deeper understanding.  But I also say this because Fry's version is wonderful!

Stephen Fry barely entered my consciousness before reading Mythos, but clearly I have experienced some of his film acting (V for Vendetta, Gosford Park, surely others).  Apparently he has done a lot of comedic work with Hugh Laurie.

It turns out that Fry is a terrific writer with a vast working knowledge of Greek history and myth.  He writes with a comedic style, fresh perspective and a modern take that does the original myths great justice.

Of course a reinterpretation might seem to lower the academic bar for such a highbrow subject as Greek myth (the book title uses the word "reimagined" after all).  Is it scholarly for a film actor to reimagine Greek mythology?

To answer such a question we need to remind ourselves that Greek mythology is in fact fictional.  Although intertwined with some actual history, these stories didn't actually happen.  Although not an ancient Greek himself, neither was Ovid or countless others who rewrote these stories repeatedly throughout history.

So although some scholars undoubtedly bash a work such as this, I say it's perfectly appropriate for Fry to reimagine these myths for modern readers.  And a terrific job he did.