The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony

Many authors have lamented the loss of the power of myth in modern life. J.R.R. Tolkien created an imagined universe, Joseph Campbell inspired George Lucas by exploring the underlying themes in world mythology and Roberto Calasso wrote The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony. It’s a unique perspective.Calasso’s technique is to tacitly assume that the reader is fairly conversant with the Greek myths. Then he retells them in highly terse versions which allows him space to provide his own interpretations of their underlying meaning. Beginning with the earliest myths about the origins of life and the cosmos via sexual and anthropomorphic metaphors and ending with the almost novelistic Odyssey, Calasso not only has theories about the myths but a meta-theory, which happens to be implied in its title.The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony was the last meeting of gods and men on earth. Cadmus, who is the mythological inventor of the alphabet, begins the gradual transition from mythology to history, from stories of the gods to literature. Myths are seen as the determinants of human possibilities. In some ways, Calasso sees us as still reenacting the lives of Achilles and Agamemnon.It’s an impressive effort by an author who was obviously thoroughly conversant with the myths of many cultures. I personally liked this book more than Ka, his examination of Vedic mythology, simply because I was already roughly familiar with the underlying narratives. It’s not a book everyone should read but if you do have a mythological inclined mind or a proclivity for ancient civilizations it is well worth reading. I, at least, enjoyed every moment of it.

speedy delivery, condition as described, first American edition, classic book

Into a 3 dimensional fantasy world that bred the Greek civilization. If you wonder why the record of the myths is not consistent, this book will help settle your discomfort. And you'll have fun being swept along. It helps to have a Kindle for easy lookups in Wikipedia.

The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony is one of Calasso's best books. It was the first I read. And I keep going back to Calasso. Potential readers beware! Once Calasso catches you, you will always want to remain caught in his extraordinary web of literature, biography, cultural commentary... He is one of the best authors of the 20th-21first Centuries. This book is simply perfect. He knows about books and about his own books. He is also the best editor in Italy. I keep checking Amazon for a new Calasso book. His brilliant intelligence shines through this book and all his books. Calasso rules!

The Marriage of Cadmus and Harmony has me mesmerized from beginning to end. The writing is enlightening and beautiful, leaving you wanting more when you reach the end.

The author obviously has spent a good deal to time studying greek mythology and literature and contemporary literature. In this book, he uses the mythology and folktales as a kind of rorschach to interpret modern life, mankind and the Greek culture and Weltanschauung。 Many of his interpretations of what he has read disagree with my own and some irritated me but it is a compelling book, well written, that keeps you reading. I recommend it.

This is a review of the Kindle formatting - avoid the Kindle version if you have any interest in linking text to the sources. Footnotes/links are missing, although the sources are listed in the back and each has a link identified as "this page" which returns to the approximate location in the text where the source is supposedly referenced. Otherwise a fascinating read.

Calasso has a lovely style and a Euro-philosophical air of profundity but my guess is that he based this book on what he learned in college, when nineteenth-century accounts of classical myth and literature were still accepted. Things have changed enormously since then, so if you want accuracy just get a RECENT edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary. You can't tell when Calasso is telling you about the actual ancient world or just free-associating, anyway. Pure dilettantism.

Weaving together broken strands of Greek myth with his own philosophical meditations on the stories so re-told Roberto Calasso has written one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. A rare treat.

One of the best books on Greek mythology you can buy. Imaginative, beautiful writing, a genius.

This was one of the most wonderful books I ever read.I'm passionate about Ancient Greece, and I think Roberto Calasso traveled in time and when he returned he managed to condense the Ancient Greek spirit in one marvellous book.

It was replacement copy for one I'd had out from the Library for far too long. It now sits in the same place on the bookshelf.

Brilliant intellectual account of wonderful mythology