Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Hunt) Part A

Reading Notes: Brothers Grimm (Hunt) Part A

These stories are more known. The style is great with giving the detail a reader would want. I loved being engaged again with Hansel and Grethel. These reminded me of my childhood, even though they are darker than I remember. I do see a trend of having it to where it is warnings about going into the woods. 

Margaret Hunt's Household Tales by Jacob Grimm and Wilhelm Grimm Part A.

Hänsel and Gretel; Darstellung von Alexander Zick (1845 - 1907). Source.

Reading Notes: The Romance of Old Japan part A

Reading Notes: The Romance of Old Japan part A

The Romance of Japan is a creation story told from the perspective of the different God's with a narrator filling in the blanks and describing the actions and scenes as they are happening. E. W. Champney and F. Champney do a marvelous job of making the mind see the creation of the world with each sentence that is said.

The Romance of Old Japan Part A

Kobayashi Eitaku, Izanagi and Izanami, c. 1885. Source

Reading Notes: The Life of Buddha Part A

The Life of Buddha is an interesting story to read. From the moment the story begins you get the feeling that all of the emotions expressed in the story are somewhat exaggerated. For the first portion of part A it seems as it is all glamour and riches, the perfect lifestyle. I am a person who disconnects with that type of writing. 

Andre Ferdinand Herold's style shows that King Suddhodana apparently is so caught up with all the shiny and upscale things that he is out of touch with what his son truly is.

The Life of Buddha Part A

Birth of Buddha at Lumbini

 Source Wikimedia

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad Part B

Reading Notes: The Voyages of Sindbad

A story from the main character seems to appeal to a lot of people. This story is not as long as it could be. The author gives a view of the surroundings, the scenario and a pretty short and sweet description of what happens during that time. Most stories could spend an entire chapter on one scenario. The author spends a little over a paragraph on the major plot point.

The Voyages of Sindbad Part B

5th voyage of Sinbad the Sailor in the "One Thousand and One Nights". 

Illustration from "Les Mille et une nuits", par Galland - Paris, 1865.  Source: Wikimedia

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part B

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Part B focuses on the battle of Troy. Achilles and his part in the battle are the main focal point. Shortening the actual original text is a good way to keep a reader interested. 

I am still thinking an alternate futuristic approach with this one. 

Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part B

Achilles Slays Hector

Peter Paul Rubens, circa 1630-1635. Source 

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Reading Notes Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Homer's Iliad is such a classic. Reading a condensed version is a lot more enjoyable than reading the entire epic. Most of the important things about the Trojans are included and there are not many plot holes.

With this one it could be possible to do a futuristic approach. Setting in the far future, maybe a parallel alternate reality. Decisions decisions....

Homer's Iliad (retold by A.J. Church) Part A

Image extracted from page 171 of volume 5 of The Iliad of Homer. 

Translated by Mr. Pope, by Homer. 1720. Source Wikimedia

Reading Options

Reading Options

For my week 2 reading I chose “Myth-Folklore Unit: Adam and Eve” as it gives different views than what is taught in a traditional church setting. Since I am not religious I like to get different points of view on topics and compare them with each other. This looks like it will be an interesting read and I will learn at least three different versions of the story. Link to the story.

Image Temptation of Adam and Eve. Genesis cap 3 v 6. after Raphael

 1 January 2000, 16:22:46 Author Phillip Medhurst. Source Wikipedia

One of the other readings that caught my attention is "Myth-Folklore Unit: The Monkey King Sun Wu Kung". I have seen a few movies that involve the monkey king and the name is familiar so what better choice? Asian mythology is something I enjoy next to Hawaiian mythology. Link to the story.

Image Sun Wukong and Jade Rabbit

1889 Yoshitoshi Tsukioka. Source Wikipedia

Another story "Myth-Folklore Unit: King Arthur" seemed to be a no brainer. Most of us have grown up knowing something about Arthur and his Knight of the Round table. To learn more about this subject and to get a grade for it will be a delight. Link to the story.

Image Arthurian knight

1903 Charles Ernest Butler. Source Wikipedia

Reading Notes Adam and Eve

Reading Notes Adam and Eve Part A

Adam and Eve Part A gave me different outlooks on what I did know originally. To me the Jewish account of the story is more detailed and not as vague as the story from Genesis. So many plot holes and different ways the story could have gone and I think I will play on those a bit. All and all the fall of Satan is what really caught my attention and will be a major part in my writing. Watching Supernatural has given me a humanistic view of Satan that will come in handy with this story.

The biggest thing is the setting. Should I make it more modern or some sort of other world. I will narrow it down since I am leaning more to a modern approach as maybe this is happening again. I am excited about writing this story and usually just let the words flow. Probably the best with this assignment.

Adam and Eve, Link to Reading Guide A. 

Oil on Canvas by Jacob Jordaens

1640's. Source Wikimedia