Forgotten Fridays: Mythago Wood by Robert HoldstockBrian over at FantasyBookSpot turned me on to this not exactly a meme series going on where every Friday a bunch of different bloggers highlight a book that has been overlooked, forgotten, or otherwise not seen the recent attention that it deserves. I can’t commit to every Friday, but this sounds like my kind of thing, so for my first Forgotten Friday, I bring you Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock.
Mythago Wood won the World Fantasy Award in 1985, so it clearly has garnered some attention in the past. However, as with many award-winning novels, as time has passed, the book has fallen a bit under the radar.
Mythago Wood represents a departure from the traditional epic fantasy of its day with elements of science fiction and historical fiction while imbuing an atmosphere all its own. Defying easy categorization, it explores the mythos of humanity in a setting eerily recognizable and reminiscent of something more primal in origin.
This book hooked me right from the beginning and kept me mesmerized to the end. It’s a timeless tale and one that I hope you won’t overlook.The mystery of Ryhope Wood, Britain's last fragment of primeval forest, consumed George Huxley's entire long life. Now, after his death, his sons have taken up his work. But what they discover is numinous and perilous beyond all expectation.
For the Wood, larger inside than out, is a labyrinth full of myths come to life, "mythagos" that can change you forever. A labyrinth where love and beauty haunt your dreams. . .and may drive you insane.
Related Post: Review of Mythago Wood
5 comments:
Mythago Wood's a great book - well done for highlighting it. I hope everyone listens to you and goes and reads it. The whole concept of the wood itself is probably the best - and, not coincidentally, one of the simplest - single structuring ideas I've ever seen in fantasy.
And once everyone's read Mythago Wood, they get to read the sequel, Lavondyss, which personally I think is even better.
Thanks Brian. I still haven't gotten around to reading Lavondyss yet, but with that strong recommendation, I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
I LOVE this book, it's in my top 10 for sure. I loved it the first time I read it, I loved the sequels (there's three of them, by the way), I want to re-read it soon.
I wrote 2 different things and I deleted them both, so let's just say I'm too tired and I like the book too much to express in words. I urge anyone to read it. It's very sad that it's not more well-known.
I've never heard of it, to be honest, so thanks for bringing it to my attention. I like things like that.
I'll add it to my Wish List and keep reminding myself to buy it! :)
~Chris
Great book. I couldn't put it down when I read it a few years ago. It is definitely worth a second go round one of these days.
Unlike some forgotten/overlooked books, it is still readily available. I hope your mention gains is some new readers. I'll have to try the sequels.
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