OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "In the Land of Myth" by Bernard Kuckuck.]

In In the Land of Myth: Orphean Sonnets, Bernard Kuckuck employs engrossing poetry to transport the reader to the classical age. The minstrel Orpheus is gifted with superhuman musical ability. He can enchant all living things and cause stones to dance merrily to his melodious tunes with his lyre. Orpheus has to rescue his love, Eurydice. In this fascinating world, the sirens also whisper charming tunes luring sailors to their deaths. Orpheus’s extraordinary adventures are nonlinear, which results in alternating moods, undoubtedly making the reading experience more thrilling. Apart from the celebration of Orpheus’s heroism and musical and poetic prowess, other topics such as love and the divine mysteries of life and death are addressed.

One of the questions that came up after reading the introduction was whether the book would stir up the ancient awe and reverence where poets were perceived as teachers and holy people. Fortunately, the author surpassed this expectation. The delightful poems did not merely describe natural phenomena but revealed the classic mythologies behind them captivatingly. One sees the active role of Persephone and Demeter when enjoying the vernal bloom. Accordingly, the perfect balance of contradictory powers in nature, especially Eros and Thanatos, is evident throughout the poems.

The use of ancient Greek terms sent me to the dictionary repeatedly, but this is how I got to understand more and better. With every search, my level of enlightenment progressively increased, and so did the passionate hunger to learn more, drawing me deeper into the ancient Greek world. However, including a glossary of terms would have helped to make comprehending some parts easy. In the book’s present state, readers have to search the meaning of some words on the internet, especially those not included in the inbuilt dictionaries.

The mood in every poem varied greatly, leading to an emotional roller coaster. The abrupt transition from an optimistic to pessimistic or cheerful to gloomy mood seemed to accurately communicate the normal fluctuations in life. As a result, this is what I liked most about the book. Besides, the rhyme was immensely appealing as it did not appear forced. Apart from the failure to include a glossary of terms, every aspect of the book was perfect.

In the Land of Myth: Orphean Sonnets was published by Tellwell Talent. It is only 228 pages long but takes one on an exciting, memorable journey. It is an easy escape to the other world where imagination is allowed to run wild. From observing the waves on the Aegean seashore to listening to the murmurs of the trees, every scene is painted perfectly to invite a corresponding mood. The book was exceptionally well-edited as I discovered only one minor error.

I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. I heartily recommend it to all ardent readers of classical literature. Every devoted fan of Greek mythology will also fancy reading it. Some poems were written in other languages like French, Spanish, Italian, and German, but their English translations succeeded them.

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In the Land of Myth
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In an elegant manner you've described this book and it makes me want to read it. The ability to make all living thing dance is truly a superpower.
Wonderful review!

Kavita Shah wrote: ↑26 Apr 2021, 05:10 In an elegant manner you've described this book and it makes me want to read it. The ability to make all living thing dance is truly a superpower.
Wonderful review!

Thanks for the wonderful comment.

I am in love with mythology, so this review caught my attention and I don't regret it! Awesome work, thank you for the review!

I'm intrigued by your description of this book. Thank you for such an insightful review.

I love the idea of explaining g this through poems and using Ancient Greek terms. I’m sure I’ll have to sit with the dictionary next to me too. Thanks for the great review!

Your review is quite detailed. The book seems to be well done. The aspect of the many Greek terms is discouraging for me, however. Thank you for a lovely review!

Interesting! Poetry usually isn't my thing, but the classical mythology and your description of the book does interest me.

Greek mythology mixed with classic music and scenes and a sprinkle of fantasy and thrills makes this book a lot more exciting to read. I also love the way the review puts it, nice.

I am sure this would be a challenging, yet enriching, read. I only hope it won't be Greek to me!

this review has nailed it completely, it's very realistic, i find a phrase that stir up my mind '' ancient awe and reverence where poets were perceived as teachers and holy people.''
Fortunately, the author surpassed this expectation. The delightful poems did not merely describe natural phenomena but revealed the classic mythologies behind them captivatingly.

I’m a fan of Greek mythology! It interests me even more that there are other languages in this book as well, and since my first language isn’t English I have to google words or translate a lot anyway. I don’t think those things will discourage me at all. Thanks for a good review.

I really well written review with great point to note for the story. I always wanted to read a classic mythology book and I guess I'll start off with this one. Thanks.

The poems were quite interesting to read, a bit dark at times, an essential part of the classical age. If I decide to read the book, I'll have to carry my dictionary with me.

I don't think classical literature poetry could be described any better. Though I am not a big fan of ancient stuff like Greek mythology, your colourful review is a magnet. I am also fascinated by the character with superhuman musical ability, that he can charm stones into dancing. Thank you for your great review.