Title: The Golden God Apollo
Author: Gates, Doris
Call Number: 292.211 G259G
Subjects: Apollo (Greek Deity)
Number of Pages: 110
ISBN: 0670344125
Book Description:
Of all the
Olympians, Apollo, god of the sun, was the best loved, because he brought light
and warmth to the world each day. He was also the protector of clocks and of
voyagers and the deity of medicine and music. He was wonderfully strong,
blindingly beautiful and godly- and yet he was capable of making all-too-human
mistakes. Mistakes like having all his cattle stolen by a newborn baby. Or
falling in love with a girl who found him so repulsive she turned into a tree
to escape his advances. Or allowing his son to drive his fiery chariot on its
perilous course through the sky, a blunder which cost the boy his life.
Like all
the gods and goddesses, Apollo could be cruel When his sister Artemis fell in
love with the hunter Orion, Apollo, jealous, devised a scheme whereby his
sister unwittingly killed the man she loved. But he could also be kind and
compassionate-on learning of the death of King Admetus’s wife, Alcestis, he
invited the Three Fates to dinner, plied them with wine, and cajoled them into
raising Alcestis from the dead.
The author
has succeeded in weaving the many stories centering around an important god
into a vivid and exciting tapestry that she hopes will give the often
fragmented tales a more meaningful continuity. By doing so, she brings to them
a freshness, a sense of drama and vigor that will make them memorable to young
readers.
My Read:
First of
all, my intention from the beginning of reading this book was to exercise my
speaking skill in the language of English. The more books I could read aloud
the better my language would become. It’s a kind of reading habit I would like
to acquire and maintain on a daily basis. This was not the first book that has
served me the purpose. Yet it’s a book big enough for me to write a book
review.
Apollo, god
of the sun, was a subject I came across in high school in the sophomore year in
the English class. The story introduced in the textbook was about Apollo and
his riding his chariot across the sky. And, without surprise, I read the
similar episode in this borrowed library book. It’s an interesting experience
for, back then, reading anything in English was a hassle and headache to me;
the subject was pretty foreign and mentioning of the subject reminded me of the
countless of quizzes and exams I had to take on a daily basis. And don’t forget
the deprivation of sleep! Now I read with pleasure and it’s become a choice and
a habit I enjoy, also, on a daily basis.
Stories of
the Greek myths project people’s aspiration and desire; they provide certain
sense of hope and dreams allowing people to go beyond reality and imagine that
one day, if only, what if…things people would be delighted to own, hold,
exercise, or prevent. The gods and goddesses in myths and legends usually would
behave or act like human beings; there are jealousy, revenge, greed, hatred and
many negative things those gods would have to overcome and struggle with. Just
like humans.
It’s a good
read not only because it helps me improve my speaking skills it also reminds me
of one thing: no matter who you are no one is perfect.
