Hercules:: Hercules: The Man, The Myth, The Hero - Hardcover

Faber, Adele; Hess, Mark

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786812788 ISBN 13: 9780786812783

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH, 1997

Synopsis

Based on the Greek myth, here the legendary Greek hero Hercules recounts his daring adventures. Award-winning children`s book author Kathryn Lasky takes readers on a tour of Hercules` incredible life, from his prodigious infancy, through his twelve labors, and ending with his heroic ascent to Mount Olympus. Full color.

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6. In this ambitious retelling of an epic myth, Lasky uses the first-person voice of Hercules, giving the tale immediacy, but also creating some difficulties. There is so much to tell, and so much of it violent, that at times Hercules sounds matter of fact. For example, when the young hero mistakenly kills his music teacher: "Becoming impatient, I hit him with my lyre. The man crumpled. My teacher was dead!" And, when in madness, he kills his family: "Beasts did not lie at my feet but my own wife and children." There is little space to explain the complexities of the myth: Hera's jealous rage, Hercules's madness and blend of monster and man, the twelve labors, and the hero's final conquering of his passions and death. It is a huge story?mythic, of course?and pushes at the confines of a picture-book length text. The tale's success is aided significantly by Hess's masterful, full-color, acrylic-on-canvas illustrations. The well-researched artwork is compelling and complements the story well. The art will fascinate children but the themes may be a better fit for older readers and adults.?Lee Bock, Brown County Public Libraries, Green Bay, WI
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0786812788
• ISBN 13: 9780786812783
• Binding: Hardcover