#litrec

it’s been so long since i’ve read properly, but i’ll see what i can rustle up!

definitely go for angela carter, she’s very rich in symbolism and has a striking way with words. the tumblr favourites are usually good for a browse, your secret history, anne carson and the like. i’d also say try out jeanette winterson’s work, especially the stone gods! (i kissed her and forgot death)

Hello! It’s most definitely not an issue, I’m always happy to help out with book recommendations x

With Greek mythology, I’ve found that it’s better to almost completely bypass any contemporary material written that describes ‘each myth’ — there are so many different variations that have evolved over the centuries, and most of these tend to take one variant of the tale and turn it into something very superficial.

Metamorphoses was the first that I read; it collects both Greek and Roman myths. It is, as mentioned, not strictly Greek since it was written by the Roman Ovid and completed in 8 AD. It’s important to note that he is a quite violent misogynist, and this manifests itself in his retellings.

The Homeric Hymns is a collection of hymns dedicated to the various gods, most of which date back to the archaic and classical periods. I’ve only read a handful, however.

Theogony and Works and Days by Hesiod are some of the oldest pieces of literature from Greece. Theogony describes the genealogy of the gods, Works and Days describes how one ought to live and advice that gives valuable insight into the beliefs held in his time and prominent myths. I was averse to reading Works and Days, but it proved to be more insightful that Theogony.

Though I said to bypass contemporary literature, The Penguin Book of Classical Myths is a good book to have at hand.

The plays are not to be overlooked since the myths have evolved; Prometheus Bound, The Bacchae etc. I’ve read but a handful, so I can’t give a more specific list. The Iliad and The Odyssey are essential.

If it’s theory surrounding the myths that you’re after, I won’t be able to help much; most of what I’ve learnt was during lectures (I pulled up all my material from last year and apparently my lecturers did not care for referencing?) and getting dragged into the wormhole that is jstor. Since it’s such a vast area, I’d recommend getting stuck into Goodreads and finding books on the topics that interest you, and then seeing if any of your local libraries have them. (If not, then by more…illicit means. Which I do not endorse at all. Definitely not.)

I hope this helps! I’m sorry that I could not help more on the theory front x

I’ve actually read very little Russian literature, I’m afraid.

From what I have read, it leans towards the bleak, and complex in terms of human nature, actions and consequences. In what I’ve read, despite those descriptions, the works tend to be full of life — but not in the same way that one would expect in English literature, where ‘full of life’ implies that life is good, the people are happy. Rather it is rich in such way that I’m struggling to find the words to string together in English to describe it.

okay, so i should mention straight off that the majority of my art history education is mostly actually based more on visual culture theory, rather than on the history side of things. i’ve barely read any whole books on the subject, choosing rather to read select chapters or articles given to us by our lecturers, but nonetheless, this is what i could come up with off the top of my head:

ways of seeing by john berger (also a tv series, and considered to by one of the basic foundations of art theory)

art through the ages by helen gardner (i actually have not read this, but everyone seems to swear by it, and from what i understand it gives a good overview of the history of art. if it proves to be useless in the education front, it could at least serve as a viable weapon in case of home invasions)

isms: understanding art by steven little

the nude by kenneth clark (an overview of representations of the nude from antiquity to the modern period. i’ve read it in its entirety and while it is certainly informative, it is best to read it with a critical mind)

on ugliness and on beauty by umberto eco are also both reputable quite good, though i’ve yet to give them a proper read

thames and hudson publishers have books published on almost every facet of art history; i have books ranging from general overviews of western art from the renaissance to impressionism, to art of the byzantine era, to roman architecture. more often than not i imagine you could find a copy of some area from your local second-hand book shop.

I’m so so so glad you loved it!!