Cuéntame un mito is an unillustrated compilation of 43 classical myths. The myths included in the book related to the following events, objects, characters and places: Musas; Crono; Prometeo; Acontius; Io; Actaeon; Danae; Medusa; Oedipus; Daffodil and Echo; Psykhe; Phaeton; the rape of Persphone; Orpheus and Eurydice; the apple of Eris; Paris; Helen; the sacrifice of Iphigenia; Achilles; Patroclus; Amazon; the horse of Troy; Ulysses; Flora; Polyphemus; Aeolus; Circe; Sirens; the cows of the Sun; the island of Feacios; Penelope; Heracles; Eurystheus; Ate; Minotaur; Thesus; Icarus; Aegeus; Deucalion; Phineus and the Harpies; and, Hera. 

Each retelling of the mythical stories is followed by a commentary titled Sugerencias (Suggestions). This section provides additional historical information and references, and draws out key philosophy issues, topics or themes of the story for the reader to reflect upon.

Cuéntame un mito is an introduction to the diverse and complex nature of classical mythology and is suitable for young adults and older. The book draws extensively on Goñi’s academic background in philosophy. 

The Sugerencias play an essential role in the book. In these sections, Goñi helps contextualise the multi-vocal myths for the reader by providing key historical and cultural information, while also extracting layers of meaning mainly through theoretical analysis, primarily mythological and philosophical in orientation. For this reason, the book may also serve to introduce young adults to key theoretical ideas, concepts and works, including those by Søren Kierkegaard, Fredrich Nietzsche, and Gilles Lipovetsky and Claude Lévi- Strauss. Following Goñi (p. 10), this kind of analysis and reflection can aid personal development. In the book’s introduction, he argues that it is imperative for individuals to reflect on own lived story and articulate it into ‘a greater group’, such as classical mythology. The book’s approach seemingly corresponds with his broader view of education, which he views as an individual process (see interview with BBVA 2020, accessed: August 8, 2022). Ultimately, the commentaries encourage the reader to reflect on fundamental questions and moral truths regarding human nature. By understanding this reflection, Goñi’s (p. 245) argues that through its own logic, myth helps one rediscover ‘forgotten truths’ about themselves and the world around them. As a result, the reader is guided through a wide range of topics and issues. These include: the construction of femininity throughout time, as explored through stories, such as the Helen of Troy, the femme fatale (see p. 111); social organisation, including matriarchies, the nature of power as examined in light of myths such as the Amazons (see pp. 131–141); the essential qualities of different forms of love and their consequences, as examined through various stories, including Paris and Helen (see pp. 101–107); and, the nature of existence. 

It is important to highlight that the book tackles difficult and controversial topics, such as human sacrifice. Goñi acts as the reader’s guide, carefully helping them to view these from a more classical perspective. Sacrifice, for example, violates many modern Eurocentric axioms and beliefs and readers may find this cultural practice challenging to understand. In the book, the topic is explored through the story of Iphigenia, who is sacrificed by Agamemnon, her father (see pp. 113–118). When the Greek fleet is stranded at Aulis, preventing their movement against Troy, Agamemnon is told that Artemis has caused the unfavourable weather and that he must sacrifice Iphigenia. He beguiles his daughter, telling her she is to marry Achilles. However, when she discovers the truth, she initially begs for her life but later, consents. In the Sugerencias, Goñi (2012, 115–118) contextualises sacrifice by briefly analysing its function and meaning as well its origins, with the help of Rene Girard’s I see Satan Fall Like Lightning (2001), which he cites to highlight to the reader that the ritual was a response to crisis. Viewing the classical myth as similar to the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, he also (p. 116) conducts a brief comparative analysis of Agamemnon and Abraham. Notably, he interprets both characters as representing the hero archetype. He notes their differences; for example, Agamemnon represents a ‘tragic hero’, while Abraham, ‘a religious hero.’ Following 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard (2003), Abraham represents ‘a knight of faith’ and as a result, cannot embody a tragic hero. On the other hand, Agamemnon makes his decision in the spirit of resignation. Goñi encourages the reader to explore this subject further by referring them to Kierkegaard’s (2003) book Fear and Trembling and the also Swedish film, Sacrifice (1986), directed by Andrei Tarkovsky. In addition to these sources, it is recommended that the reader consults other seminal works on the topic, including Turner’s (1977) article, Sacrifice as Quintessential Process Prophylaxis or Abandonment?, which will also assist them to develop a broader understanding of sacrifice. 

Cuéntame un mito serves to introduce the reader not only to classical mythology, but through the book’s commentaries, also to different theoretical ways of reading and interpreting myth. Meanwhile, readers are invited by the author to reflect on a wide range of fundamental questions and issues, including the nature of the human condition, and how social organisation and power relationships have changed over time. Through this analytical and reflective process, they may extract knowledge and wisdom that they can apply to their own life and begin developing an understanding how the human society has changed over time and how the classical world continues to influence our culture today.

Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), “V. Completa, “Educar con filosofía, educar con fundamento”. Carlos Goñi, filósofo y escritor”, published on 27 October 2020 (accessed: August 8, 2022).

Girard, Rene, I see Satan Fall Like Lightning, Gracewing, Leominster, UK, 2001.

Kierkegaard, Søren, Fear and Trembling, trans. John Lippit. Routledge, 2003.

Turner, Victor, “Sacrifice as quintessential process prophylaxis or abandonment?”, History of Religions 16.3 (1977): 189–215.