Author:Julian Barnes
When it comes to death, is there ever a best case scenario? In this disarmingly witty book, Julian Barnes confronts our unending obsession with the end. He reflects on what it means to miss God, whether death can be good for our careers and why we eventually turn into our parents. Barnes is the perfect guide to the weirdness of the only thing that binds us all.
Selected from the book Nothing to be Frightened Of by Julian Barnes
VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. BIG IDEAS. LITTLE BOOKS.
A series of short books by the world’s greatest writers on the experiences that make us human
Also in the Vintage Minis series:
Calm by Tim Parks
Drinking by John Cheever
Babies by Anne Enright
Psychedelics by Aldous Huxley
Both fun and funny. It is sharp too, in the sense of painful as well as witty... Barnes dissects with tremendous verve and insight this awesome inevitability of death and its impact on the human psyche. He also tears at your heart
—— New StatesmanImagine our joy when Vintage announced that it is publishing a collection of easily digestible books from the world’s most celebrated writers on the experiences that make us human… They look good and read well. That’s win/win in our book.
—— StylistImportant
—— Larry Dossey, M.D., author of 'One Mind'Fry's lively writing certainly conveys his lifelong passion for Greek myths . . . It's a rollicking good read
—— The IndependentFry reimagines the Greek myths with wit, warmth and humanity, bringing them into the modern age. A welcome addition to any bookshelf
—— Book BagMythos is Stephen's vivid retelling of the Greek myths. Bringing to life the Gods, monsters and mortals of Ancient Greece, he reimagines their astonishing stories for the modern world.
—— Express and StarPerfect for the 21st Century. Ebullient, funny, Fry retells the Greek myths with elegance
—— The TimesA wondrous new immersion in ancient stories we only thought weknew. Page to page, Mythos is brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling
—— Richard North Patterson , -[Fry] exhibits prodigious learning, a great facility with words, and enormous erudition and enthusiasm
—— Mail on SundayLively, humorous and intimate, this retelling has real charm
—— The GuardianFry takes us from Zeus to Athena with humour. The Greek gods of the past become relatable as pop culture, modern literature and music are woven throughout. Joyfully informal yet full of the literary legacy
—— GuardianFresh revivals of the myths of ancient Greece. In his own imitable style, Fry takes an erudite look at the doings of gods, goddesses, kings, queens and ordinary mortals
—— The BayI quite like Mythos, Stephen Fry's book on the Greek myths - he makes them amusing. I like people that illuminate the past with humour
—— Jools HollandMythos has the gripping nature that one would hope for from a modern blockbuster. Filled with a sharp and delightful sense of humour, Stephen Fry's many witticisms making it an even more enjoyable read. I would recommend it for so many reasons
—— The NationalBrilliant . . . Stephen Fry's writing style makes it appealing to all. There's something for everyone
—— The HeraldReimagines the lives of ancient Greek gods and goddesses through a humorous lens, using casual language and making valuable comparisons to modern characters or events. It's also just really, really funny
—— American Express EssentialsEntertaining and edifying . . . Fry flexes his famous intellect in making the myths coherent and natural. The best thing Fry's written since his superb first novel, The Liar
—— TelegraphMythos combines authority and accessibility. Most readers will learn something, many a great deal; and all will find the experience enjoyable
—— Allan Massie , ScotsmanArguably the greatest living Englishman
—— Indendent on SundayThe patron saint of British intelligence
—— Daily TelegraphNational Treasure: noun - someone or something regarded as emblematic of a nation's cultural heritage, such as Stephen Fry
—— Oxford English DictionaryAlthough a harrowing story it is also an uplifting one as it is truly a triumph of the human spirit over terror.
—— Frank McGabhann , Irish TimesThis is a brave, harrowing but necessary book.
—— Colette Sheridan , Irish ExaminerFarida's story needs to be told
—— The TimesTruly a triumph of the human spirit over terror
—— Irish TimesThis is one of those rare volumes that offers astonishing insights into the human spirit
—— ObserverA compelling testament to the suffering of ordinary people caught up in violence far beyond their control
—— GuardianMesmerising
—— Sunday TimesTimely, excruciating and important.
—— Bookseller