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Mythology

Tales' category of mythology contains some of the oldest written texts in history. The mythology books will take you on adventurous journeys through ancient worlds of brave heroes and great gods of the past. Our collection covers myth from all around the world. You can find stories about the Vikings’ Norse gods and sorceresses, but you can also dive into the legendary and heroic tales of Ancient Greece. You can also get wiser on Ancient Egypt and it’s gods and pharaohs. Finally you will find mythology books about Ancient Japan with descriptions of its traditions and customs. Get ready to be inspired by the stories of the past.
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  • Save 11%
    by Thilde Kold Holdt
    £7.99

    Brought to you by Penguin.The bond between men and the gods is weakening. A dead man walks between the worlds and foresees Odin's doom. The only survivor of a slaughter unleashes a monster from fiery Muspelheim. Long hidden among mortals, a giantess sighs and takes up her magics once again. A chief 's son must overcome war and treason to become the leader his people need.And the final battle is coming...(P) Penguin Audio and Rebellion Publishing 2020

  • Save 17%
    by Doreen McBride
    £9.99

    Animal tales full of folklore and magic, chosen for for children aged 7-11

  • Save 21%
    by Sharon Blackie
    £9.49

    From an established writer of empowering literature comes a first fictional collection - of transformational power. Written with visceral intensity the landscapes provide readers with portals to worlds where anything is possible. Drawing on N. European folklore rather than Greek myth or male-interpreted fairy tales, these are the original feminist voices. Sharing revenge and rebirth, capturing love and shaking off the past, changing the elements and shedding skins, they are heroines all. Each shapeshifting woman has an extraordinary story of change and survival to tell, and each story is born out of a regional folk tale. Ranging from Iceland to Ireland, Scotland to Scandanavia, Croatia to Cornwall this is a compelling journey in the company of a masterful storyteller.

  • - Tales of Greek Myth, Gods, Goddesses, Mythical Beasts & the Beliefs of Ancient Greece
    by Adrian Myron
    £12.49 - 18.99

  • by Shami Stovall
    £17.49 - 22.49

  • Save 11%
    - The number one bestseller and British Book Awards Book of the Year
    by Sarah Perry
    £7.99 - 8.99

  • Save 15%
    by J. R. R. Tolkien
    £10.99

    After 75 years, The Hobbit translated for the first time into Latin. Fascinating for Latin learners and for Tolkien fans of all ages.In foramine terrae habitabat hobbitus. ('In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.')The Hobbit, published 75 years ago, has become one of the world's most popular classic stories, appealing to adults as much as to the children for whom J.R.R. Tolkien first wrote the book. Translated worldwide into more than 60 modern languages, now Hobbitus Ille is finally published in Latin, and will be of interest to all those who are studying the language, whether at school or at a higher level.In the great tradition of publishing famous children's books in Latin, professional classicist and lifelong Tolkien fan Mark Walker provides a deft translation of the entire book. His attention to detail, including the transformation of Tolkien's songs and verses into classical Latin metres, will fascinate and entertain readers of all ability, even those with only a minimal acquaintance with the language.

  • by Stephens James Stephens
    £14.49 - 18.49

    In IRISH FAIRY TALES James Stephens masterfully retells ten Irish legends. The writing is crisp, humorous, and accessible. While reading this book you'll be convinced that you are actually visiting a long lost island of Ireland filled with magic, fairies, and heroes. Lavishly and beautifully illustrated.

  • - The Only Book You Will Ever Need to Build Strength for Your Life. Discover The 9 Personalities Types. Evolve Your Personality and Become Self Aware!
    by Ian Baron
    £14.49 - 22.49

  • by Christoph Martin Wieland
    £20.49 - 29.49

  • by J R Planche & Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
    £13.49 - 20.99

  • Save 11%
    by Lucy Hughes-Hallett
    £7.99

    Not since Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber have old stories been made to feel so electrically new. Not since Wim Winders' Wings of Desire have the numinous and the everyday been so magically combined.

  • by George MacDonald
    £9.49 - 10.49

  • Save 11%
    by Matthew Reilly
    £7.99

    Join one of the world's greatest adventure writers on the new thrill-ride in the international bestselling series.

  • Save 10%
    by Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi
    £8.99

    An award-winning debut that vividly reimagines Uganda's troubled history through the cursed bloodline of the Kintu clan

  • by Hesiod Hesiod
    £9.99 - 12.49

  • Save 14%
    - A Translation and Commentary, Together with Sellic Spell
    by J. R. R. Tolkien
    £9.49 - 51.99

    The translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien was an early work, very distinctive in its mode, completed in 1926: he returned to it later to make hasty corrections, but seems never to have considered its publication.

  • Save 11%
    - Reading the Ancient Egyptian Amduat
    by Andreas Schweizer
    £33.99

    Schweizer guides the reader through the Amduat, offering a psychological interpretation of its principal textual and iconographic elements. He draws on Jungian archetypes to identify similar expressions about the afterlife in other world cultures.

  • by Henry Gilbert
    £4.99

    Robin Hood is the best-loved outlaw of all time. This edition tells of the adventures of the Merry Men of Sherwood Forest - Robin himself, Little John, Friar Tuck, Will Scarlet, and Alan-a-Dale, as well as Maid Marian, good King Richard, and Robin's deadly enemies Guy of Gisborne and the evil Sheriff of Nottingham.

  • Save 20%
    by Marion Zimmer Bradley
    £11.99

    Here is the tragic tale of the rise and fall of Camelot - but seen through the eyes of Camelot's women: The devout Gwenhwyfar, Arthur's Queen; Vivane, High priestess of Avalon and the Lady of the Lake; above all, Morgaine, possessor of the sight, the wise, the wise-woman fated to bring ruin on them all...

  • Save 14%
    - A Novel of Arthur
    by Bernard Cornwell
    £9.49

    From Bernard Cornwell. the creator of the No. 1 bestselling Sharpe novels. Arthur seeks peace, with the aid of his sword Excaliber . . . After rebellions and betrayals by those he believed loved him most, Arthur looks at his most weak. His Saxon enemies decide to strike before he regains his strength, plunging Britain into war. It will require all Arthur's leadership and military cunning to win this last battle.But in this final struggle of the warlord, the intrigues of Mordred, now the adult heir to the throne of Britain, and the dark magic of the priestess Nimue could conspire to bring about Arthur's downfall. Even his trusty blade Excaliber may not be sharp enough to save him . . .Bernard Cornwell concludes The Warlord Chronicles, bringing the Arthurian legend to thrilling new life.'A powerful and dramatic retelling of the Arthurian legend' Sharon Penman'Of all the books I have written these are my favourites' Bernard Cornwell

  • Save 11%
    by Roald Dahl
    £7.99 - 11.49

    Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The BFG by Roald Dahl, read by David Walliams. The BFG is a nice and jumbly giant. In fact, he is the only big friendly giant in Giant Country. All the other giants are big bonecrunching brutes, and now the BFG and his friend Sophie must stop them guzzling up little human beans - with some help from Her Majester, the Queen. David Walliams is a multi-award winning British comedian, actor and writer, best known for the comedy series Little Britain; but his acting work includes plays, dramas and films. He is also the author of five hugely successful childrens books, including two illustrated by Quentin Blake - Roald Dahls favourite illustrator.

  • Save 10%
    by Angela Carter
    £8.99 - 10.99

    This crazy world whirled around her, men and women dwarfed by toys and puppets, where even the birds are mechanical and the few human figures went masked . . . She was in the night once again, and the doll was herself.One night Melanie walks through the garden in her mother's wedding dress. The next morning her world is shattered. Forced to leave the home of her childhood, she is sent to live with relatives she has never met: gentle Aunt Margaret, mute since her wedding day; and her brothers, Francie and Finn. Brooding over all is Uncle Philip, who loves only the toys he makes in his workshop: clockwork roses and puppets that are life-size - and uncannily life-like.Books included in the VMC 40th anniversary series include: Frost in May by Antonia White; The Collected Stories of Grace Paley; Fire from Heaven by Mary Renault; The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter; The Weather in the Streets by Rosamond Lehmann; Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith; The Return of the Soldier by Rebecca West; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; Heartburn by Nora Ephron; The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy; Memento Mori by Muriel Spark; A View of the Harbour by Elizabeth Taylor; and Faces in the Water by Janet Frame

  • Save 10%
    - Tales from the Haunted Forests of Britain
    by JOHN ED MILLER
    £8.99

    Woods play an important role in horror, fantasy, the gothic and the weird. They are places in which strange things happen, where you often can't see where you are or what is nearby. This new collection showcases the best supernatural stories from the real forests of Britain, and notes on the folklore which inspired these deliciously sinister tales.

  • Save 18%
    by Anne Louise Avery
    £16.49

    Reynard was once the most popular and beloved character in European folklore. Expanded with new interpretations, innovative language and characterisation, this edition is an imaginative re-telling of the Reynard story and as relevant and controversial today as it was in the fifteenth century.

  • - The Untold Story of Mary, Mother of Jesus
    by Alan Gold
    £21.49

  • by Jake Jackson
    £6.99

    This latest addition to our successful series offers a new selection of myths, featuring Arthur's knights of the round table, his love for Queen Guinevere and, of course, the ultimate betrayal by his friend, and most trusted knight, Sir Launcelot. All awaken the magical and exciting world of King Arthur.

Mythology
Mythology is the foundation of many of today's stories, take for example the stories of King Arthur and Merlin, a well-known story that goes back to the celtic mythologies. It has fascinated many writers all around the world and with good reason. Myths take you on fascinating and sometimes even magical journeys and into the ancient worlds of the past. The mythologies build on folklore and you can learn a lot about the ancient lifestyles by reading mythology books. The themes in mythologies are often built around honor and bravery, but the tales also have their own universal moral message. 

Norse mythology books
In the Nordic countries we have a long and proud history of folk tales and some of them can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages and even before that, to what we describe as the Norse period, where all the Scandinavian countries were connected as one and not divided into nations. The North was instead formed by many smaller societies, who lived comparatively insulated and connected to nature. Such a life could be hard and created fertile soil for folklore and the belief in supernatural creatures, which are found in many folk tales. Most of the tales were part of an oral tradition and were often handed down through many generations. The mythology tales were first written down and converted into mythology books many years after they were told for the first time. 
We cannot mention the Norse period without the Vikings. Vikings are known all over the world for their strength, ships and sometimes brutal conquests, but the Vikings were defined by so much more than that. They had for example a vivid and intriguing tradition for mythology. To the Vikings they were so much more than myths, it was their religion. The Norse religion referred to as Asatru consists of multiple gods, goddresses, brave heroes and volvas, which were strong female sorcerers and fortune tellers. If you want to find your way to get started in Nordic mythology you can find a good description and overview in Penguin Book of Norse myths - Gods of the Vikings

Greek mythology books
Some of the greatest and most famous myths are found in Ancient Greece. You might have heard about the gods Zeus and Prometheus, the goddesses Athena and Aphrodite, and the heroes Hercules and Achilles? They are just a few of the unique figures of Ancient Greek mythology. They are found in some of the greatest classics of world literature; the Iliad and the Odyssey written by Homer. At Tales you can get them as mythology books in their traditional verse form, but we would also recommend you to take a look at Stephen Fry’s interpretations of the classical tales. Fry takes the timeless classics into modern times by rewriting the mythologies in a modern, easy understandable english, but he still keeps the essence of the Ancient mythologies. You can find Stephen Fry’s Heroes and Mythos in our selection of mythological books. 

Egyptian mythology books
Another world of mythologies is found in Ancient Egypt. Here we come across Ancient gods and goddesses with faces formed as animals. One of the central gods in Egyptian mythology is the sun god Ra. Ra was the incarnation of the sun, which was the foundation of life. In Egyptian mythology we also find mummies. Mummies were the deceased faraos, who were embalmed and covered in gaze to restore them for the afterlife. The god Osiris would then help them on their way through the afterlife. The mummies were placed in their own pyramid, who would show the greatness of the faraos for the times to come. The pyramids still stand in Egypt and show the history of the past. Among our egyptian mythology books you find the book Egyptian Mythology, which has collected all the fascinating tales of Ancient Egypt and all its gods, goddesses and legendary creatures. 

Japanese mythology books 
You can also find japanese mythology books in Tales’ selection. The japanese myths are little known to people, but contain many amazing stories. You can for example find the story behind the samurais, an Ancient collection of warriors in the japanese armies. A samurai had to live up to certain virtues in order to keep his status. A samurai should both be loyal and have a high level of endurance, modesty, and honor. You could learn a lot about a country from its mythology, because it is the foundation of the country’s culture, although a lot of changes have found place since then. If you aren’t familiar with japanese mythology, we recommend you to read the Handbook of Japanese Mythology among our collection of japanese mythology books. 

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