I think you'd really like "Chimera", by John Barth. It's three novellas each playing on a myth...the Arabian Nights, Perseus/Medusa, and Bellerophon/Pegasus/the Chimera. He does it so that the myth doesn't ever really change...but yet everything changes. Much like in your story.
You'd also probably like "The House of Asterion", by Jorge Luis Borges, which is another play on Greek mythology. Or, really, Borges is general is just fantastic.
I liked the way you started the story making us feel relaxed and swept up in the peacefulness and serenity of the place.
Then, in the last two paragraphs turned it ugly.
The original idea of the story was based your premis of a possible way the myth of Medusa was created. But the moral comes through loud and strong - ignorance creates fear, which can then make something beautiful into something tragic.
I was a little worried about the ending. I kinda didn't know what the people would do. I sorta hoped they wouldn't run after Perseus and fight with him because I wanted the ending to be short, sharp, and ugly. I breathed a bit of a sigh of relief when none of the locals did much more than stunned inaction. Any retaliation would have diluted the impact. I am not sure of the harbormaster... I shied away from watching him too closely at the end.
If this sounds like my characters do what they want in my stories, yes, that is how it goes when I am lucky. Usually I have to work hard to make the characters believable. Rarely the characters take the bit between their teeth and I am like an onlooker, just watching what happens. I just cross my fingers and hope for the best. In this case I think they did well, but I don't feel like I can take any credit for it. I feel much more proud of my efforts in stories like Grace where I had to work very hard to make the characters put across my ideas.
Wonderful! Everything you ever say is wonderful, puppet. :) But this was just plain... Lovely! And probably very true. You should start a little collection on what you think the myths REALLY were like. Hmm. That's a good idea. :) *snuggles* Lovely, dear. Almost as lovely as yourself.
Heheheheh Thank you very much for the sweet, slightly over-the-top, compliments. You really are a nice li'l possum you know.
That is a really neat idea about the myth collections. As guyminuslife mentioned above, it has been done a bit, but that is no reason why it can't be done more. I will see if I can think of more myths that are seriously perverted by the long, long line of word of mouth.
The only one I can think of right away is the story of Circe, but there must be more.
Your friend ledestin just gave me an idea-- You should start a little collection on what you think the myths REALLY were like
That would make a really cool book. Maybe you and your friends (me too???) could colaborate and write a book of the "real" truth behind the myths. Each person could write the "real" story of 1 or 2 different myths.
I think that would make a neat book. I know I'd buy it!
I am sure there are plenty more such suspicious stories. As I mentioned in my reply just now to ledestin the story of Circe always sounded a bit odd to me. I explained the biblical myth of the parting of the Red Sea to ledestin recently too. There are bound to be more. I am not really a big fan of human history so I don't know a lot of mythology. I am sure there is plenty of material out there though.
Putting together a compilation of such stories with a group of other people sounds very cool to me. You especially, would be very welcome on such a project.
I shall make some phone calls and see what I can find out about how receptive publishers might be to such an idea. Night time just now... have to do it in the morning.
I'm sorry I didn't read it earlier- busy. But now that I have...I think it's excellent! I think I agree (I'm a sceptic)...I mean who would WANT to keep statues of guys all around the place!!! Joking!
Heheheh Thanks Lois. I appreciate the nice words... and the sticker.
By the way, I will be up there a little later than I thought. I'll be leaving here on the 20th or 21st and will be up in your neck of the woods around the 26th. It is kinda good. It means I'll be able to see your Mum. Yay!
hey sweetie, As ever an awesome story a very big thumbs up for that one.. But then again i think you're the very best story teller/writer. Not to mention your very incredible picture drawing talents. I don't think there is any thing you don't do well. Hugs to you, and what the hey, a BIG smooch as well
Nah. I'm not really much of a writer, but thanks for the nice words of encouragement. And I would be happier about my art if I was more productive. I really need to do more.
Heheheheh. Hugs and smooch back.
Hey, Ginny... does posting mean you have a LiveJournal account? If not, would you like one? I have spare invitation codes and can give you one if you want so that you can start up your own free account. Then later you can decide whether you would like to pay for it. I pay for my account, but really don't use any more than the free capabilities. I just pay for it because I think it is such a cool system and want it to continue.
Did I mention that I looked at the news item online about you and Bunny teaching a lesson to that scumbag who broke into your home demanding money? I saved it locally on my machine if you ever want a permanent copy. How totally cool are you guys. I would have loved to have been there when you turned around with that broadsword. And him accidentally disarming himself in the ceiling fan is just beautiful! I'm glad Bunny was there too. It would have been a sight him running from you two clobbering him. Hehehehe! Maybe he will think twice about breaking into women's homes and threatening them now. I hope he has nightmares about it.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
You'd also probably like "The House of Asterion", by Jorge Luis Borges, which is another play on Greek mythology. Or, really, Borges is general is just fantastic.
no subject
I'm always on the lookout for interesting books (being a readaholic). I'll add them to my list of stories and authors to get.
no subject
I liked the way you started the story making us feel relaxed and swept up in the peacefulness and serenity of the place.
Then, in the last two paragraphs turned it ugly.
The original idea of the story was based your premis of a possible way the myth of Medusa was created. But the moral comes through loud and strong - ignorance creates fear, which can then make something beautiful into something tragic.
no subject
I was a little worried about the ending. I kinda didn't know what the people would do. I sorta hoped they wouldn't run after Perseus and fight with him because I wanted the ending to be short, sharp, and ugly. I breathed a bit of a sigh of relief when none of the locals did much more than stunned inaction. Any retaliation would have diluted the impact. I am not sure of the harbormaster... I shied away from watching him too closely at the end.
If this sounds like my characters do what they want in my stories, yes, that is how it goes when I am lucky. Usually I have to work hard to make the characters believable. Rarely the characters take the bit between their teeth and I am like an onlooker, just watching what happens. I just cross my fingers and hope for the best. In this case I think they did well, but I don't feel like I can take any credit for it. I feel much more proud of my efforts in stories like Grace where I had to work very hard to make the characters put across my ideas.
no subject
*snuggles* Lovely, dear. Almost as lovely as yourself.
no subject
Thank you very much for the sweet, slightly over-the-top, compliments.
You really are a nice li'l possum you know.
That is a really neat idea about the myth collections.
As
The only one I can think of right away is the story of Circe, but there must be more.
no subject
You should start a little collection on what you think the myths REALLY were like
That would make a really cool book. Maybe you and your friends (me too???) could colaborate and write a book of the "real" truth behind the myths. Each person could write the "real" story of 1 or 2 different myths.
I think that would make a neat book. I know I'd buy it!
no subject
I am sure there are plenty more such suspicious stories. As I mentioned in my reply just now to
Putting together a compilation of such stories with a group of other people sounds very cool to me. You especially, would be very welcome on such a project.
I shall make some phone calls and see what I can find out about how receptive publishers might be to such an idea. Night time just now... have to do it in the morning.
no subject
anything of yours (and your friends) is bound to be good!
wow
Very good little girl- you get a sticker!
Re: wow
Thanks Lois. I appreciate the nice words... and the sticker.
By the way, I will be up there a little later than I thought. I'll be leaving here on the 20th or 21st and will be up in your neck of the woods around the 26th. It is kinda good. It means I'll be able to see your Mum. Yay!
no subject
As ever an awesome story a very big thumbs up for that one.. But then again i think you're the very best story teller/writer. Not to mention your very incredible picture drawing talents. I don't think there is any thing you don't do well. Hugs to you, and what the hey, a BIG smooch as well
jenna/ginny
no subject
Nah. I'm not really much of a writer, but thanks for the nice words of encouragement. And I would be happier about my art if I was more productive. I really need to do more.
Heheheheh. Hugs and smooch back.
Hey, Ginny... does posting mean you have a LiveJournal account? If not, would you like one? I have spare invitation codes and can give you one if you want so that you can start up your own free account. Then later you can decide whether you would like to pay for it. I pay for my account, but really don't use any more than the free capabilities. I just pay for it because I think it is such a cool system and want it to continue.
Did I mention that I looked at the news item online about you and Bunny teaching a lesson to that scumbag who broke into your home demanding money? I saved it locally on my machine if you ever want a permanent copy. How totally cool are you guys. I would have loved to have been there when you turned around with that broadsword. And him accidentally disarming himself in the ceiling fan is just beautiful! I'm glad Bunny was there too. It would have been a sight him running from you two clobbering him. Hehehehe! Maybe he will think twice about breaking into women's homes and threatening them now. I hope he has nightmares about it.