Mythology

Inspired by the myth of a man condemned to ceaselessly push a rock up a mountain and watch it roll back to the valley below, The Myth of Sisyphus transformed twentieth-century philosophy with its impassioned argument for the value of life in a world without religious meaning.Throughout history, some books have changed the world. They have transformed the way we see ourselves - and each other. They have inspired debate, dissent, war and revolution. They have enlightened, outraged, provoked and comforted. They have enriched lives - and destroyed them. Now Penguin brings you the works of the great thinkers, pioneers, radicals and visionaries whose ideas shook civilization and helped make us who we are.

Despite a proclaimed respect for scientific reason, humans are still as intrigued by myth as their remote ancestors. Laptops and smartphones are sold under a logo that invokes the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden; skimpily clad classical nymphs cavort in TV reality shows; Narcissus makes a comeback whenever we snap a selfie. Mythical creatures such as handsome vampires abound in best-selling novels. Myth has also invaded the political realm, now that terrorists brandish black flags and recite theological mantras as they martyr themselves.In twenty-seven self-contained entries, Peter Conrad illuminates in his own remarkable way subjects from the British Queen to the Kardashians, via Banksy, vaping, Trump’s penthouse, and the inception of the Large Hadron Collider. In Judge Judy, he shows a matronly Roman goddess dispensing justice with a fly swatter. In the metamorphosis of Caitlyn Jenner from Olympic athlete and paterfamilias into idealized female form, he finds parallels to the transformations of the residents of Mount Olympus.Myths used to tell us where we came from. Now, alarmed but also elated by the pace of change in our society, we need them to tell us where we are going.

If you're fascinated by how stories shape our understanding of the world, "The Flight of the Wild Gander" by Joseph Campbell is a journey worth taking. Campbell's expertise in mythology illuminates the paths these ancient narratives have carved through history and into our collective psyche. It's an exploration of the enduring power of myth and its relevance in modern life, ideal for anyone seeking to delve into the complexities of human storytelling and cultural evolution.

If you find delight in unraveling the complex tapestry of culture and everyday objects, "Mythologies" by Roland Barthes will intrigue you. It offers a series of sharp, revealing critiques that unwrap the layered meanings in the mundane, exposing the 'myths' that govern our perception. It's like a treasure hunt through cultural phenomena, where every discovery sheds light on how deeply entrenched and 'naturalized' our social constructs are.