Category: | Our Mythical Childhood Survey

Esther M. Friesner

This novel follows the early life of Helen of Troy, before her marriage to Menelaus and prior to becoming Queen of Sparta. Helen begins the story age four and ends it age fourteen, although most of the book is set at the latter age. Central themes explored include Helen’s feelings about her beauty, her family, the gods, her inheritance, growing up as a girl, boys and the elusive concept of freedom. Told in the past tense in the first person, the novel is a lightly narrated look at somewhat(...)

literary

YEAR: 2007

COUNTRY: United States of America

TAGS: Aegisthus Althaea / Althea Aphrodite Atalanta Castor Clytemnestra Helen Iolaus Leda Meleager Polydeuces Theseus Thyestes Tyndareus

Robert (Bob) Blaisdell, Althea (Thea) Kliros

The Story of Hercules (in Easy-to-Read Type)

Hercules narrates his story, beginning with his birth as the mortal son of a god. He talks of how he was a child prodigy in warfare but failed at learning music. After killing the teacher that belittles him about failing at music, Hercules goes out into the world to learn what he can. After Hera challenges Zeus to prove Hercules is worthy of being immortal, Hercules jumps at the opportunity and completes twelve labours. (...)

literary

YEAR: 1997

COUNTRY: United States of America

TAGS: Achelous Achilles Admetus Aegean Sea Aeolia Aeolus Aeson Alcestis Alcmene Alcyonian Lake Althaea / Althea Amazons Amphitryon Antaeus / Antaios Aphrodite Apollo Apples of the Hesperides Arcadia Ares Argo Argolid Argonauts Athena Atlas Augeas Autolycos Automedusa Black Sea / Pontus Euxinus Calydon Castor Centaur(s) Cerberus Ceryneian Hind Chiron / Cheiron Cretan Bull Crete Cronus / Kronos Deianeira Diomedes (of Thrace) Diomedes’ Mares Echidna Elerion Enceladus Erymanthian Boar Erymanthus Eurystheus Eurytos Gaia / Gaea Geryon Giants Golden Fleece Greece Hades Hephaestus Hera Heracles Hercules Hesione Hippolyta's Belt Hydra Hylas Immortality Iolaus Iole Iphicles Ithaca Jason Linus Minos Minotaur Mycenae Nemean Lion Nephele Nessus Nymphs Odysseus / Ulysses Olympus Orpheus Pallene Pasiphae Peloponnese Perseus Pholus Pillars of Hercules Poseidon Rhea Stymphalian Birds Telamon Thebes Theiodamas (King) Themiscyra / Themyscira Thespis Tiryns Titans Troy Twelve Labours of Heracles Typhon / Typhoeus / Typhaon Zeus