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Robert Holdstock
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Mythago Wood (The Mythago Cycle Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Robert Holdstock (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 869 ratings
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Myth and Terror in the Forest Deeps

The mystery of Ryhope Wood, Britain's last fragment of primeval forest, consumed George Huxley's entire long life. Now, after his death, his sons have taken up his work. But what they discover is numinous and perilous beyond all expectation.

For the Wood, larger inside than out, is a labyrinth full of myths come to life, "mythagos" that can change you forever. A labyrinth where love and beauty haunt your dreams. . .and may drive you insane.

"Utterly enthralling."
--Times Literary Supplement

"Robert Holdstock's is one of the voices at the very heart of modern fantasy."
-Guy Gavriel Kay

"One of the strangest, most beautiful and most compelling fantasies I have ever read. A marvel of a book." --Keith Roberts


At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 7
    The Mythago Cycle
  2. Print length
    338 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Tor Books
  6. Publication date
    September 1, 2003
  7. File size
    2528 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Holdstock's fantasy of a surviving primeval forest where legends and tribes of different ages coexist draws power from the myths, archetypes and literary conventions it embodies. The long, Wellsian introduction to the Huxley family and their fascination with Ryhope Wood slowly moves toward a civilized British confrontation with the wilderness and savagery. Unaware of the consequences, Steve Huxley falls in love with the latest incarnation of beautiful Guiwenneth of the greenwoodas his father and brother had before him. When she is kidnapped, his attempt to find her becomes a quest leading to the heart of the mysterious wood. Although it takes its time getting started, and occasionally reminds us that it was expanded from a short story, this is a winning novel with a fine feeling for the interface between airy dreams and sweaty reality. Science Fiction Book Club main selection. Foreign rights: Ellen Levine. November 20
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"I found Mythago Wood hard to shake off."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BY5R1IO
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tor Books; First edition (September 1, 2003)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 1, 2003
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2528 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 338 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 869 ratings

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Robert Holdstock

Robert Holdstock

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
869 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

hamsterdance
5.0 out of 5 stars A Mythic Hidden Gem
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2002
Verified Purchase
At the time of this writing this book is out of print which is a shame. It is one of the most intriguing I've read in many a year. For anyone who has an interest in myths and legends, this is a powerful tale of one man confronting such legends and how he's changed by it. Holdstock drinks from the same well as Gaiman and any fan of Gaiman should definitely give Holdstock a go. He also seems to be familiar with many of Jung's Archtype ideas and gives them a believable place to live.

Thus the protagonist begins his journey into the heartwood of a mythic primeval forest and beyond - a journey to find his beloved celtic princess and the Umscrumug - the First Myth - the Myth Before all Others. A myth so ancient, the author says, is now fading even in Mythago Wood as Humanity's Collective Unconcious slowly forgets its past. Mythago Wood, a forest where legends and myths from every people of every time and every land are formed, live and breath. A WW1 soldier inhabits the same land as shamanic tribesmen. A celtic princess from the days of Roman Britain walks the woods from legends out of a much later Robin Hood era. And while it is clear that these beings are not "real" in the same sense that the protagonist is they are still capable of feeling joy, love, pain and sorrow. And are equally capable of killing and being killed.

The characters are human, with both flaws and redeeming qualities and hints of why myths and legends still hold our imagination are part of the entertaining story (If Mythago Wood were real I'm sure Jedi Knights, Klingons and Paul Atreides would now be walking there too).

This book won awards for good reason. If you enjoy stories of myths and legends don't fail to pick it up.
30 people found this helpful
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S. Magliocco
4.0 out of 5 stars Dark but Fascinating
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2014
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What if there were a magical forest that produced every mythical and legendary character that ever existed in a culture, and you could journey there to experience them all at once? A place where time and space didn't follow the usual rules they must observe in our own universe? A place of great brutality but also wondrous love? That's the premise behind Robert Holdstock's "Mythago" series, of which _Mythago Wood_ is the first installment. "Mythago" is a contraction of "mythic imago" ("imago" meaning image). The narrator, Steve, has always lived near a magical woodland, but only when he returns from fighting in WWII does he discover just how weird the place actually is. He thinks he's going home to his brother and new sister-in-law after his father's death, but he discovers things aren't at all as they seem; they are much more complicated and stranger than he can even imagine. He must unravel the mystery of his late father's apparent madness, his brother's strange behavior, and the forest that keeps creeping further and further into the land outside the house. He falls in love with Guninnevere, a creature produced by Mythago Wood, who is suddenly and violently kidnapped, and eventually undertakes a quest into the enchanted forest to regain the love of his life. Dark and strangely compelling, you will enjoy this book if you are a fan of British history and legend and don't mind fantasy that is gritty and complex. Do not, however, expect gossamer and happy endings, because you won't get that here.
18 people found this helpful
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Neil DeWitte
5.0 out of 5 stars Top-tier Contribution to Fantasy Literature
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2008
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Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood is an underappreciated, yet significant contribution to the fantasy genre in many ways. To start out with, the work is well written and conveys a dark and mystical mood in a forest setting. Also the plot of Mythago Wood is anything but formulaic; nevertheless, the events in the book move along at a steady pace.
However, the point of Mythago Wood is not to showcase a fast-paced, action-driven plot. Mythago wood really shines because the work is about a journey "within." It canvasses topics including familial estrangement, biological urges and the inner psyche. The characters that enter the magical Ryhope wood must face the ancient archetypal Mythagos created from the collective conscience of the humans nearby, including themselves.

Throughout the novel Holdstock does an excellent job of incorporating a variety of Celtic folklore and mythology into the mystery. The characters in the story struggle with emotions including love, jealousy, fear, and anguish. Holdstock purposely pits the powers of reason, rationality and scientific measurement against the ever-shifting, human-repelling powers of Ryhope wood. Holdstock leaves enough mystery about the workings of Ryhope wood so that he can continue to reveal the characteristics of Ryhope wood over the course of several very good sequels.

In Mythago Wood, Holdstock has made a significant contribution to the fantasy genre by creating a meaningful novel that is more than run of the mill bestselling "plot-candy." He has also avoided recreating the already well-done good vs. evil theme or the power of language theme. Even though Ryhope wood exists alongside the reality of post WWII England, expect to be completely immersed in the fantasy of the wood.

But don't read Mythago Wood because of its significance within the fantasy genre. Read it to expand and test your mind and to engage your imagination in a new way.
7 people found this helpful
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Brian Pressley
3.0 out of 5 stars Huh.
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2022
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I like a good weird book as much as the next person, but this left me a little blah by the end. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't particularly exciting either. I think my expectations were too high from all the positive reviews. Maybe it was a bit slow to get to the point for me, but probably you should check out reviews from people who decided to read the rest of the series.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Mystically Captivating!!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2023
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This book had a great blend of fantasy, and psychological twists all throughout it! It really made me think as I read, and the story is so original! Great book with a great ending! I will definitely read the second one!
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Top reviews from other countries

Bookmarked Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars A place where myths intrude upon and overwhelm reality
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2024
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The terror of WW2 end and Stephen Huxley returns home from France. A new intangible, yet bizarrely real, terror begins. It emanates from the nearby ancient forest, the Ryhope Wood and takes physical form. Figures from long forgotten myths and legends dating back to prehistory come into being, using the channel of human mind. Seduced by those figures, Stephen's father and brother venture into the wood, never to return. Stephen is wary but soon his mind also allows a beautiful and enchanting creature to come into his world, a creature that he will have to fight his own brother for.

Mythago Wood is an utterly original and, in itself, seductive read. It starts like a small spring and gradually spills over and floods your imagination. A fantastical, fantastic, reading!
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Noel
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping tale.
Reviewed in Germany on November 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
I just thought I'd try this book out.
The kindle price was great and it had glowing introduction by Neil Gaiman.
You dont have to be a fantasy fan to enjoy this great story. Within the first chapters you are drawn into this haunting and dramatic world that the author has created. ( Maybe skip the prologue, which I found misleading as to the kind of book you were going to read)
Also, the parts of the story taken from a diary are in a handwriting style that I found difficult to decipher. The second book in the series dispenses with this and uses clear italics.
And the best news: it's part of a series!!!
Just enjoy!
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Silwald
1.0 out of 5 stars Just can’t get into this book
Reviewed in Spain on September 30, 2023
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I have tried repeatedly to read this but find it a style I can’t get into at all. I’m sure other people will like it but its just not for me.
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Cori Nelson
3.0 out of 5 stars not a fan
Reviewed in Australia on March 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
Too much mythical detail and too many divergent story lines for me…I won’t be trying any more of this author’s books.
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constance
5.0 out of 5 stars a magical place
Reviewed in France on May 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
I absolutely loved this book- it's true that it's slow moving at times, and takes a while to get into the thick(et) of things..But the wood speaks to me so strongly. This book allows me to project my own myths into it, but at the same time creating a whole world which is real while I'm reading it. I'm now reading the second book and loving it even more.
One person found this helpful
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