Words from the Myths
1961
- history
- language
- myth
- myths
- greek
- foreign elements
- greek language
- greek mythology
- foreign words and phrases
- influence on english
The story
A large portion of Greek mythology organized around a specific themes, and the impact of mythological words and phrases on our present day language. Hundreds of words in daily use are surrounded by enchanting stories that will interest younger readers. The myths, interesting in themselves, are used to illustrate a particular English word or concept.
What it’s like
Crisp, mid-century nonfiction prose with Asimov's clear, friendly explanatory voice: short chapters, brisk sentences, and the easy confidence of a teacher who enjoys the material. The reading experience is bright and unhurried, closer to a well-lit reference shelf than a dim literary novel, with the pleasure coming from small surprises as a familiar English word turns out to have a Hermes or Narcissus or Pandora buried inside it. Its vibe is curious, warm and lightly playful, the kind of book that suits a lazy weekend morning, a coffee-and-couch browse, or a dip-in-and-out read on a train. The myths themselves are retold briskly and vividly rather than lyrically, so the sensory world is sketched in quick strokes of gods, heroes and ancient Mediterranean settings rather than rich description. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with no sustained tension or dread; emotional register stays light, wry and reassuring, and the human drama of the myths is kept at a comfortable, storybook distance. Intensity is low: the old tales include some deaths, betrayals and divine punishments, but these are told matter-of-factly, with no gore and no sexual content. It suits readers who want gentle learning, language lovers, and younger readers or parents looking for something educational and calm.
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