You might remember actor Stephen Fry from Jeeves and Wooster and he was unforgettable as General Melchett in Blackadder. Fry also hosted over 180 episodes of QI and has narrated all seven of the Harry Potter novels for the audiobook recordings. But Stephen Fry also has an obsession: he loves Greek Mythology. Troy is Fry’s third book retelling (and “reimagining”) Greek Myths. In 2017 Fry published Mythos. In 2018 he published Heroes. Troy came out in 2021.
I thought I was fairly well versed in the Trojan War. But I was wrong. Stephen Fry supplies dozens of backstories of the major and minor characters. I had no idea the critical role Sinon played in convincing the Trojans that the Greeks departed and left the Trojan Horse as a gift to the Gods. And, I had no idea the Trojans had to dismantle the upper portion of their gate in order to bring the giant Trojan Horse into their city.
While the Trojans debated whether to bring the Trojan Horse into Troy, Cassandra pleaded with Priam and Paris and the rest of the Trojan brain trust to burn the Greek’s “gift.” “It’s a trick!” Cassandra insisted. But, of course, Apollo’s curse that no one would ever believe Cassandra’s prophecies (which were all true!) was on full display here.
If you’re a fan of Greek Mythology, you’ll love Stephen Fry’s Troy. GRADE: A
I’v always been a fan of Greek mythology and I read these fascinating stories as a teenager, writen and edited by a famous German author and priest near where I grew up as a Schwab – more than a thousand pages.
Gustav Schwab wrote this standard containing “everything” from Prometheus to Europa and of course the actors of the Trojan war around 1838 !!! and it’s still being edited, expanded and republished almost 200 years later.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustav_Schwab
You can read about its contents, sorry only in German:
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Die_sch%C3%B6nsten_Sagen_des_klassischen_Altertums
This wiki has all the heroes’ and heroines’ names – more than a hundred I think!
Wolf, I wish someone would translate Gustav Schwab’s book on Greek mythology! I buy it instantly! Like you, I’ve been a fan of Greek Mythology since I was a kid.
Fascinating. I’ve read one of Fry’s novels – The Hippopotamus (also saw the movie adaptation) but didn’t know about the Greek books.
Deb is our Cassandra.
Jeff, Apollo gave Cassandra the power of true prophecies…but no one would believe her! I have more of Fry’s works on my shelves so maybe I’ll get to a couple more this Summer. TROY was great!
“Just call me Cassandra” is a phrase oft-heard in our house!
I love Stephen Fry—especially his roles in the various Blackadder series—going back to his “A Bit of Fry & Laurie” days. I did not know about his love of Greek mythology, but it all tracks with his wide array of interests and deep intelligence.
Deb, unlike Cassandra, we all BELIEVE your prophecies! Stephen Fry is as good a writer as he is an actor!
The year we spent in England (1994-95), he disappeared from a play he was in and was eventually tracked down in Belgium. A real Agatha Christie. I have always enjoyed his acting but have never read his writing.
Patti, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of Stephen Fry’s writing.
I’ve enjoyed his writing, but never have read a whole volume of it.
Todd, I’m very impressed by Fry’s TROY and intend to read more of his Greek myths.
George, is this a stand-alone or third part of a trilogy?
Neeru, you’re right! Here’s the trilogy:
Fry, Stephen (2017). Mythos: A Retelling of the Myths of Ancient Greece. Michael Joseph. ISBN 978-0718188726.
Fry, Stephen (2018). Heroes. Michael Joseph. ISBN 978-0241380369.
Fry, Stephen (2020). Troy. Michael Joseph. ISBN 978-0241424599.
I read TROY first but intend to read the other two volumes soon.