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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 15%
    by Colin Urwin
    £10.99

    Drawing on Irish and Scottish traditions, Rathlin Island has a rich folk heritage which may have been all but lost but for one man. Taken from recordings held in Ulster Folk Museum, this unique book brings Tommy Cecil's stories and those of other islanders to print for the first time

  • Save 10%
    by Jeneane O'Riley
    £8.99

    From breakout TikTok sensation Jeneane O'Riley comes the highly anticipated third book in the Infatuated Fae series, full of forbidden romance, twisty betrayals, and fairy tale magic.

  • Save 17%
    by Vyasa
    £9.99

    A grand saga of divine wisdom, epic battles, and the eternal quest for justice, distilled into the lives of warriors and deities across the vast expanse of ancient India

  • Save 17%
    by Valmiki
    £9.99

    The epic story of Rama, hero and prince who must battle for justice and righteousness against forces of chaos and evil

  • Save 20%
    by W. B. Yeats
    £11.99

    In this highly giftable volume, the best-loved legends of the Emerald Isle come to life. Discover the magic of Ireland’s most treasured stories with Irish Folk and Fairy Tales. William Butler Yeats’ charming storytelling style captures the spirit of Ireland’s timeless myths and legends. Young and old will love these stories of tricksters and spectres, kings, queens, and princesses, in an heirloom edition that includes:A stunning, foil-embossed, faux-leather coverBeautifully designed end papersMore than 50 tales and poemsA must-have for every home library, Irish Folk and Fairy Tales is a book that you’ll reach for again and again, destined to grace your bookshelves for years to come. Essential volumes for the shelves of every classic literature lover, these deluxe classics editions include beautifully presented works from some of the most important authors in literary history. Other deluxe classics from Chartwell include Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Dracula, The Republic, The Iliad, The Essential Tales of Edgar Allan Poe, Meditations, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Other Stories.

  • Save 10%
    by Katie Galvin
    £8.99

    Many years ago, a barrier was created between the mortal world and the realm of the gods, a barrier to ensure balance.Although the gods could not enter the moral realm, they can share their power choosing to Gift humans with abilities.Some see these Gifts as a blessing, most see them as a burden.

  • by W. D. Westervelt
    £7.99 - 9.99

  • by Apuleius
    £7.99 - 12.99

    Eager to learn the rules of magic, Lucius agrees to participate in a shapeshifting spell that suddenly goes awry, transforming the man into a donkey. His life is abruptly upended as he is attacked, stolen and sold multiple times before finding relief through divine intervention. Lucius is enamored with witchcraft and begs a woman to transform him into a bird. Unfortunately, she fails, and he is immediately turned into an ass. This leads to a tumultuous journey that takes Lucius away from his friends and puts him into the hands of strangers. He is sold by thieves, cooks and farmers, forced to engage in strange and laborious tasks. With each owner comes a different set of obstacles and inevitable misunderstandings.A rare text stemming from Roman antiquity, The Golden Ass is infused with mythological elements. The story covers a wide range of topics from witchcraft to adultery and murder. This expansive narrative has enough twists to keep any reader on the edge of their seat. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Golden Ass is both modern and readable.

  • by Aristophanes
    £5.49

    The Frogs follows interpersonal conflicts between men and women, Greek gods, and the natural and supernatural. Using extraordinary circumstances, the author provides commentary on multiple public figures spanning religion, politics and literature. The Frogs is one of Aristophanes'' most notable works. The story centers on Dionysus, the god of fertility and wine, who''s also known as a patron of the arts. In an effort to restore Greek tragedy to its former glory, Dionysus travels to the underworld to bring the late playwright Euripides back to life. While on this mission he encounters other prominent figures such as Aeschylus, the "Father of Tragedy," and Heracles, the Greek demigod. Aristophanes'' work is filled with biting humor and colorful commentary that has stood the test of time. Unlike his peers, a portion of his plays (11 out of 40) survived his death and remain fully intact. The Frogs offers a glimpse into the impressive catalog that made Aristophanes one of the greatest playwrights of his era. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Frogs is both modern and readable.

  • by Martha Warren Beckwith
    £9.99

    Brought from West Africa during the slave trade, the legend of Anansi, a spider-god and trickster spirit, is central to the folklore of the Jamaican people. Compiled and arranged by famed ethnographer Martha Warren Beckwith, Jamaica Anansi Stories is a definitive record of the songs, stories, and riddles of the Jamaican oral tradition.

  • by W. D. Westervelt
    £6.99 - 9.49

    Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes (1916) explores Hawaiian folktales and myths collected by W. D. Westervelt. Connecting the origin story of Hawaii to the traditions of other Polynesian cultures, Westervelt provides an invaluable resource for understanding the historical and geographical scope of Hawaiian culture. Beginning with the origin story of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes, Westervelt introduces his groundbreaking collection of legends on the volcanic nature of the Hawaiian Islands. When the goddess Pele comes to the island of Hawaii seeking a permanent home, she finds Ai-laau, another god of fire, already in possession of the territory.Despite his fearsome power over creation and destruction, Ai-laau disappeared the moment he became aware of Pele's presence. Having traveled across the limitless ocean, her name was already known far and wide, along with her reputation for strength, anger, and envy. Establishing herself within the crater of Kilauea, Pele quickly took command over the gods, ghost-gods, and the people inhabiting the islands. Central to Hawaiian history and religion, Pele continues to be celebrated in Hawaii and across the Pacific today.With a professionally designed cover and manuscript, this edition of W. D. Westervelt's Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes is a classic of Hawaiian literature reimagined for modern readers. Add this beautiful edition to your bookshelf, or enjoy the digital edition on any e-book device.

  • Save 20%
    by Omar Sakr
    £11.99

    An estranged father. An abused and abusive mother. An army of relatives. A tapestry of violence stretching between Turkey, Lebanon, and Western Sydney. This is the legacy left to Jamal Smith, a young queer Muslim trying to escape a past in which memory and rumour trace ugly shapes in the dark. When every thread in life constricts instead of connects, how do you find a way to breathe? Torn between faith and fear, gossip and gospel, family and friendship, Jamal must find and test the limits of love. In this extraordinary work, Omar Sakr deftly weaves a multifaceted tale brimming with angels and djinn, racist kangaroos and adoring bats, examining with a poet's eye the destructive impetus of repressed desire and the complexities that make us human.

  • Save 10%
    by Joules Taylor
    £8.99

    Uncover the MYSTERIES surrounding MORE THAN 50 SACRED SYMBOLS that embody the ethos of the ancient Celts, as well as their associated deities and guides.

  • Save 17%
    by Elena Emma Sottilotta
    £24.99 - 65.99

  • by Dr Anna Chiara (Tor Vergata University of Rome Corradino
    £88.99

    A focused study of an ancient myth and its reception, which provokes new consideration of how myth in general can challenge social norms.Analysing the visual and literary transformations of the myth of Endymion and Selene, Corradino argues that this myth becomes a valuable tool for understanding the cultural problematization and censorship of female sexuality, as well as the marginalization of alternative forms of male sexuality. The myth's key themes, of dominant femininity, reified masculinity and female necrophilia, are shaped through the centuries from the core story of Selene, the goddess of the Moon, falling in love with a mortal shepherd, Endymion, and granting him eternal sleep so she can kiss him every night. In three core sections focusing on the archaeology of the ancient world, the art of the Renaissance to Baroque periods, and modern art and film, Corradino traces the way the relationship between the two 'lovers' embodies the taboo topic of the eroticization of the sleeping and/or dead male body and the suppressed desire of female domination and dominance. This research breaks new ground by displaying how these marginal desires have always challenged normativity and have had a profound impact on and through multiple receptions.

  • Save 14%
    by Peter Taylor-Gooby
    £9.49

    A riveting and engaging true story of an extraordinary woman who defied ancient Greek standards and became the First Lady of Athens. Aspasia was trafficked as a sex-worker but rose to become the lover of Pericles. She went on to publish her own philosophical work and became the most prominent female figure in the history of Athens.

  • Save 14%
    by Helen Oyeyemi
    £9.49 - 10.49

    Mr Fox, by award-winning author Helen Oyeyemi, is an beautiful and immersive exploration of the labyrinthine world of imagination, storytelling and love. It's a bright afternoon in 1938 and Mary Foxe is in a confrontational mood. St John Fox, celebrated novelist, hasn't seen her in six years. He's unprepared for her afternoon visit, not least because she doesn't exist. He's infatuated with her. But he also made her up. Will Mr Fox meet his muse's challenge, to stop murdering his heroines and explore something of love? What will his wife Daphne think of this sudden change in her husband? Can there be a happy ending - this time?'Oyeyemi reveals a twinkling sense of humour . . . A delight' - Independent.

  • Save 10%
    by A.G. Slatter
    £8.99

    A captivating dark gothic fantasy set in the same universe as the award-winning author's All The Murmuring Bones, The Path of Thorns and The Briar Book of the Dead. A tale of vampires, assassins, ancient witches and broken promises, perfect for readers of Alix E. Harrow, Hannah Whitten and Alexis Henderson.

  • Save 23%
    by Imani Erriu
    £15.49

  • Save 10%
    by Kyrie McCauley
    £8.99 - 16.49

  • Save 11%
    by Paulette Dowle
    £7.99

  • Save 11%
  • Save 10%
    by Rosie Hewlett
    £8.99 - 13.49

  • Save 10%
    by Melissa K. Roehrich
    £8.99

    There was no preparing for her storm

  • by Morgan Daimler
    £9.49

    Exploring the connection between humans and fairies across time

  • Save 13%
    by John Farrelly
    £12.99

    A fresh and entertaining introduction to many of the weirdest and scariest creatures from Irish lore, perfect for anyone who has ever wondered about the things lurking in the dark. Farrelly's Field Guide to Irish Faerie Folk collects stories about familiar monsters, like banshees and púcas, and introduces new ones like the aughisky and marbh bheo. Presented as a field guide to Ireland, seen through the eyes of Fantasius Farrelly as the fictitious collector and guide, this book is a true one of a kind.

  • Save 10%
    by EA Wallis Budge
    £8.99

    Provides wonderful insight into Egyptian religion, spirituality and beliefs.

  • Save 15%
    by Morgan Daimler
    £14.49

    Hardcover collector's edition

  • Save 14%
    by Noah Angell
    £9.49 - 15.49

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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