“This is the mythosphere. It’s made up of all the stories, theories and beliefs, legends, myths and hopes, that are generated here on Earth. As you can see, it’s constantly growing and moving as people invent new tales to tell or find new things to believe. The older strands move out to become these spirals, where things tend to become quite crude and dangerous. They’ve hardened off, you see”
“Are they real, the same as atoms and planets?” Heyley asked.
“Quite as real – even realler in some ways,” Grandpa replied.
While Diana Wynne Jones’ The Game* was not my favourite book of hers that I have read to date, the concept of the mythosphere still fills me with so much joy. This idea, of a sort-of hidden world (or galaxy?) or stories, creating different strands each time someone invents a new tale, or builds upon an old one, is simply wonderful. Perhaps that was the very reason why the rest of the book felt a little underdeveloped, because I was simply impatient for more about the mythosphere. Come to think of it, the characters and story were really quite lovely, just.. the mythosphere definitely took the prize for most wonderful thing in the book.
Oh I love this concept! I think I have to read this also even if other parts of the book are undeveloped! What a thought-provoking idea!!!
The concept is definitely worth reading the book for, the characters travel through the mythosphere and everything! As long as you remember to not judge DWJ by the book, as she has written better, I think.
I can imagine that the mythosphere is a greatly intoxicating idea, and because of this, my reaction is akin to Jill’s. I want to read about it and devour the ideas in this book! I am new to this author, but I have seen the love for her all over the blogosphere. It sounds like one worth checking out!!
I wonder if this is the best place to start with DWJ. I think there are other books that are a little better executed. But then, the concept of the mythosphere is wonderful, and the book is worth reading for that. I’d recommend asking Jenny or Ana for recommendations as they’re both very knowledgeable about DWJ.
I really must read more Diana Wynne Jones!
There’s always more DWJ to read, isn’t there? (At least, for me there will be for a while).
When I read the later ones of DWJ’s books, I can’t help thinking about how great it would be if she had lived FOREVER. Because I bet she would have written more about the mythosphere, given world enough and time.
Oh, Jenny. I do wish she could have lived forever. Your comment made my eyes tear up a little.
I’ve never heard of this before! I love the idea of the mythosphere.
I loved the idea too. And even more so as the characters sometimes enter it and travel through it.. I don’t know. I just completely fell in love with the concept.
This was the first DWJ I read – I enjoyed it, it was a great concept. I was glad of the appendices with all the names of the Titans etc in at the end too.
This is my favorite cover for this book. Yes, it is an underdeveloped story but the sheer number of ideas in it is quite amazing!
This is a new-to-me DWJ book. I love the concept of a mythosphere, a hardened crust of older tales, vibrant new ones always growing inside. Definitely adding this one to my TBR.
I ve not read her but am listening to a radio drama based on her short stories that is on the radio at the moment ,all the best stu