Gabriela Francisco

"It was a world of mind and earth, a realm outside of real laws of space and time, a giant world." I had no prior knowledge about ANYTHING when I started this novel, other than several authors, Neil Gaiman and Michael Moorcock included, highly recommended him (Gaiman wrote the introduction for this 30th anniversary edition). And no wonder it won the World Fantasy Award in 1985!! What if myths were real? What if Arthur, Robin Hood, and Guinevere all came from the racial unconscious of an entire people, and that they they took physical shape and form when enough people believe in them? I'm loath to use the blanket term "fantasy novel" to describe this book, although undoubtedly, it falls under this genre. But MYTHAGO WOOD is ever so much darker and heavier than most fantasy novels, closer to Ancient Greek tragedies than Shakespeare's Midsummer Night. At its core is the relationship between two brothers, and how they sought out the answers to the mystery of their father's disappearance in the interim immediately after World War II. "All that is in the realm has always been here." Perhaps because the author was a scientist, the myth figures (or mythagos) in the book are presented in an anthropological and scientific way that made a great deal of logical sense. And somehow, this made the book a whole lot more scary, and epic. Holdstock discusses how mankind has always had the need for myths, for heroes who inspire them to fight against invaders, or give them hope during desperate times. He shows in the book how myths change over time, perhaps in names, or in details, but that they gain power when people remember them. Holdstock's book is a testament to the way stories shape culture, and thus, the fate of a nation. I'm fascinated by the premise, and wonder what it would be like if characters from Philippine myths and legends truly did come to life? Enjoyed it enough to order Book # 2 of the Ryhope Wood cycle!