Advice for a present

**Geoffrey S** · 09-19-2007, 22:10

It's my sisters birthday soon, and I've been looking for a present. She's always been interested in Greek myths and enjoyed translating Greek plays at school, but isn't going to do any further studying on the subject. So what I'm looking for is a good book (or two cheaper ones) on these subjects; preferably mainly myths in story form or translated plays, but with sections giving some background info on the texts. Two books I encountered on Amazon (Classical Tragedy and Myths of the Ancient Greeks) look decent and not too scholarly or simple, but I'll readily confess this is outside my area of expertise. Anyone here able to enlighten me?

**Kurulham** · 09-20-2007, 03:55

A Burial at Thebes is a very loose translation (actually not even labeled as a "translation" but rather as a "version") of Antigone, translated by Seamus Heaney, the guy who did the new Beowulf and an outstanding poet in his own right. If I recall correctly he has some interesting things to say in his introduction, and the text itself is quite enjoyable if a little freer than I'd like.

**Teleklos Archelaou** · 09-20-2007, 04:16

Are you serious? Asking EB folks for advice on a present for a female is insane. We'd wind up suggesting a hard-to-find Ossetian-English dictionary, an out of print book on Pontic Onomastics, a reproduction set of petyrges, or some tuva throat singing CD's.

**EdwardL** · 09-20-2007, 04:42

Well it's his sister and not his GF or wife, so there is an acceptable margin of error on this one

**Thaatu** · 09-20-2007, 07:36

It gives just the right message. I love you, but sometimes you're a pain in the ass.

**Geoffrey S** · 09-20-2007, 15:36

Originally Posted by Teleklos Archelaou

Are you serious? Asking EB folks for advice on a present for a female is insane. We'd wind up suggesting a hard-to-find Ossetian-English dictionary, an out of print book on Pontic Onomastics, a reproduction set of petyrges, or some tuva throat singing CD's.

...tuva throat singing... sounds good. She's emo, so you never know!

Still available for bright ideas, if anyone thinks of something.

**Philip of Massalia** · 09-20-2007, 15:43

Many girls love books.

All girls love a nice piece of art.

Look here :

http://www.museesdefrance.com/produi...re?language=en

And have you ever heard of a girl disliking jewels? These ones are cheaper and brings more history then diamonds :

http://www.museesdefrance.com/produits/gamme/jewelry

This one is even cheaper then many books :
http://www.museesdefrance.com/produits/details/BP400069

**mAIOR** · 09-20-2007, 18:51

If she's into greek mithology give her the book "The heroes of the Greeks" or "The gods of the Greeks" From C. Kerényi. They are fun to read and tough a bit "dense" they're quite readable.

Cheers...

**Tellos Athenaios** · 09-20-2007, 22:36

Originally Posted by Geoffrey S

Still available for bright ideas, if anyone thinks of something.

Greek myths... Depends on whether you sister was interested in the most: the ancient Greek itself; or the story lines.

For the first one, I am not of much help. Though I must say that Hein van Doolen made an amazing translation of Herodotos' Historia.

("Het verslag van mijn onderzoek", Sun 2004.) It's not about standard myths, but the translation is just awesome. Furthermore it's got plenty of background information attached to the translation as well. (Ranging from explaining certain Greek customs, to checking Herodotos with other contemporary sources or archeological finds.) And it's Dutch.

For the second one, I am of even less help; but you could start with the works of Imme Dros and see what her sources are.

**bovi** · 09-21-2007, 09:07

If she's got the time, how about a dancing lesson? Depending on your location there might be an affordable once-a-week semester course somewhere, or failing that a weekend course.