I was listening to a song, very folkloric in style, and it mentioned finding the road to Lavondis. I’m very much into folklore and myth so I googled it which led me to the Mythago books by Robert Holdstock. Looks like they were published in the 80’s. Fantasy is my main genre of reading, but I can be a bit picky when it comes to the type of fantasy I’m reading. I’m going to add them to my list, but I was wondering if anyone has read them and what they thought? Also a follow up question, have you ever found a book through music?
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I find them worth reading the general conceit of the books are that there exists a forest in modern day England which you can sometimes enter which exists somewhat outside of time and where a number of mythical figures can manifest primarily from Celtic and Greek myth and I would certainly try and see if it is something for you if you are interested in mythology
Some of my favourite books! Highly recommend the Mythago Cycle.
The song wasn’t The Ancient Ways by Green Lung, by any chance? First time I’ve come across any reference to his work in music.
It was, such a good album. I’ve been listening to Woodland Rites for a few years so when I saw they had a new release on Spotify I gave it a listen and it’s up there with my favourite releases this year.
Same. It’s an incredible album. Great live band too. Saw them earlier this year and was blown away.
I Iiked the world of Mythago Wood although the brother villain dynamic was not very interesting to me. I plan on reading the sequel soon¡
That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time! I read Mythago Wood in my early teens when I was devouring every fantasy book in the house, and I wasn’t the most discerning reader at the time so I’m not the most reliable guide, but I enjoyed it a lot back then and I can tell you there are images from it that have stuck with me ever since. It’s a really cool premise, at least. I wonder if I still have that copy kicking around somewhere - I don’t think I ever knew there were sequels.
As for your second question, yes! Later in my teens I was really into seventies and eighties post-punk music, which was hugely influential to both my personal politics/philosophy and taste in literature. It turned me onto authors like Camus and Dostoyevsky who’ve been firm favourites ever since. A couple of years ago I also read the Berserk manga partly due to obsessing over Susumu Hirasawa’s music, including his score work for its anime adaptations. It’s something I might have written off as not my thing otherwise and I’m so glad I didn’t.
Just added it to my KU, looks excellent, thank you!
I read the original Mythago Wood novella and loved it. I haven’t read of the novels. The British Fantasy Award for Best Fantasy Novel is now the Robert Holdstock Award.
Oh wow, I never knew that, shows how little I go in for awards.😅
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