The Mythic Dream fascinates with its unique collection of classical myth adaptations. The tome features a brilliant cast of science fiction and fantasy’s top authors, each with a unique writing style that resonates throughout the retellings. Many of these myths were new to me, adding an important learning moment about the stories that shaped so many world cultures. Overall, you’ll find expertly written stories, each with a unique twist on tales that enchant, horrify, and entertain.
A few favorites:
A Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy, by Rebecca Roanhorse
This story floored me. It starts out by examining the lifestyles of the rich and famous. A major actor has lost his girlfriend and decides to cope by injecting her memories into his head. What follows borders between science fiction and horror. We see him gradually begin to lose himself to the hallucinations and, at the end, the barrier between reality and fantasy is torn down.
Bridge of Crows, by JY Yang
Yang acts as a brilliant narrator, filling the retelling of the story with life. The beginning paragraph is a hilarious adaptation of ‘once upon a time’ that shows true originality. It’s clear Yang is having loads of fun adapting this tale to a new setting, and that makes for an enjoyable read.
The Things Erik Eats before He Eats Himself, by Carmen Maria Machado
This strange tale mixes humor, horror, and absurdity to present an important moral about mankind’s insatiable need to acquire wealth and possessions. It’s startling to see the curse in action, but it drives the point home in an epic way.
The Mythic Dream
Edited by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe
Published by Saga Press
NOTE: I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
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