Beautiful coffee table books

What to read next

Books-to-get-you-back-into-poetry_Hero-Desktop_Penguin

Where to start with...

Where to start reading poetry (again)

An illustration of an ancient helmet with a book instead of a plume of feathers on an orange background

Books-Based-On-Mythology_Hero-Desktop_Penguin

Reading lists

The best novels based on mythology from around the world

stephen-fry-damian-bradfield.jpg

Extracts

Damian Bradfield and Stephen Fry: The internet has changed us

NatStorytellingWeek-Promo.jpg

Blogs

8 book readings you should listen to this National Storytelling Week

Odyssey

Outstandingly entertaining quartet of books . . . Fry breathes contemporary relevance into these ancient tales. As with his previous titles, he combines scholarly research with a lightness of touch, and his wry sense of humour and natural gift for storytelling make for a highly engaging read

Relatable and full of humour . . . Odyssey brings [the] four-book sequence satisfyingly to a close

The familiar narrative bounds along in a chatty style, coloured with mildly revisionist insights into the characters

Accessible storytelling and Fry brings warmth, exuberance and humour. Hard to beat

Odyssey completes his Greek Myths series in marvellous fashion. . . Fry, a born storyteller, succeeds again in making the ancient stories accessible, gently modernising the language and dotting his journey with explanatory and often amusing footnotes.

Praise for Stephen Fry's Greek Myth retellings

A romp through the lives of ancient Greek gods. Fry is at his story-telling best . . . the gods will be pleased

A head-spinning marathon of legends

An odyssey through Greek mythology. Brilliant - all hail Stephen Fry

Fry's lively writing conveys his lifelong passion for Greek myths. A rollicking good read

Here, indeed, be monsters, myriad adventures and machinating gods. Fry is a personable and passionate narrator

Makes the stories relatable without skimping on the gory details, or sacrificing the truths of the myth. It's rich, it's funny and you'll feel like you've learned a lot

Fry is a natural storyteller and his lively retellings make for an entertaining read

Troy has fallen – and the victorious Greeks head home . . . 
 
Setting sail, hero Odysseus dreams of lying in the arms of his beloved wife Penelope, and of teaching his son Telemachus a warrior’s ways. However, gods toy with the desires of little mortals. Angered by this upstart’s presumption, Poseidon – God of the ocean realms – curses our hero to wander the seas for ten long years. 
 
Encountering one-eyed giants, six-headed monsters, terrible storms, titanic whirlpools, hypnotic sirens, seductive witches and jealous goddesses, Odysseus is tempted and tormented beyond any man’s endurance. 
 
Yet he is no mere mortal – and the lure of his wife and son draws him, step by step, stroke by stroke, ever closer to home and his destiny . . . 
 
A tale of love and longing, return and redemption, home and hope, Stephen Fry’s Odyssey sees the author and national treasure weave together the final fabulous threads of the tapestry begun in worldwide bestseller, Mythos. It is a story for the ages – and all ages.

Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director. He rose to fame alongside Hugh Laurie in A Bit of Fry and Laurie (which he co-wrote with Laurie) and Jeeves and Wooster and was unforgettable as General Melchett in Blackadder. He has hosted over 180 episodes of QI and has narrated all seven of the Harry Potter novels for the audiobook recordings. He is the bestselling author of four novels - The Liar, The Hippopotamus, Making History and The Stars' Tennis Balls - as well as three volumes of autobiography - Moab is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me. Mythos, Heroes and Troy, his retelling of the Greek myths, are all Sunday Times bestsellers.

Troy has fallen. After 10 years of war, the Greeks make their way back to their own lands – but what homes now await them? Agamemnon must return to his wife Clytemnestra, who has been nursing her rage since he sacrificed their daughter to the gods for a favourable wind. Her revenge will know no bounds. 
 
Meanwhile, Odysseus has angered the god Poseidon and he is cursed to wander the seas, facing angry monsters and possessive demi-gods as he attempts to return to Ithaca and his patient, clever wife Penelope.

The stunningly iIllustrated story

Mythos

Step into Stephen Fry’s richly colourful world of magic, mayhem, monsters and maniacal gods in MYTHOS: THE ILLUSTRATED STORY . . . 
 
No one loves and quarrels, desires and deceives as boldly or brilliantly as Greek gods and goddesses. 
 
In Stephen Fry's vivid retelling, we gaze in wonder as wise Athena is born from the cracking open of the great head of Zeus and follow doomed Persephone into the dark and lonely realm of the Underworld. We shiver in fear when Pandora opens her jar of evil torments and watch with joy as the legendary love affair between Eros and Psyche unfolds. 
 
Mythos: The Illustrated Story captures these extraordinary myths for our modern age in striking colour - in all their dazzling and deeply human relevance.

No one loves and quarrels, desires and deceives as boldly or brilliantly as Greek gods and goddesses. 
 
In Stephen Fry's vivid retelling, we gaze in wonder as wise Athena is born from the cracking open of the great head of Zeus and follow doomed Persephone into the dark and lonely realm of the Underworld. We shiver in fear when Pandora opens her jar of evil torments and watch with joy as the legendary love affair between Eros and Psyche unfolds. 
 
Mythos Illustrated captures these extraordinary myths for our modern age in stunning colour - in all their dazzling and deeply human relevance.

Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director. He rose to fame alongside Hugh Laurie in A Bit of Fry and Laurie (which he co-wrote with Laurie) and Jeeves and Wooster, and was unforgettable as General Melchett in Blackadder. He has hosted over 180 episodes of QI, and has narrated all seven of the Harry Potter novels for the audiobook recordings. He is the bestselling author of four novels - The Liar, The Hippopotamus, Making History and The Stars' Tennis Balls - as well as three volumes of autobiography - Moab is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me. Mythos, Heroes and Troy, his retelling of the Greek myths, are all Sunday Times bestsellers.

The Greek myths are amongst the greatest stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists from Shakespeare to Walt Disney. 
 
They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. These beautiful illustrations will mesmerise and enthral you: you'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the ferocious Artemis. 
 
Spellbinding, informative and moving, Stephen Fry's Mythos: The Illustrated Story perfectly captures these stories for the modern age - in all their rich and deeply human relevance.

Discover the life and ties of Stephen Fry

Fry's Ties

Discover the tales behind the ties in Stephen Fry's witty companion to our most distinguished accessory 
 
'A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life' Oscar Wilde 
 
'What do ties matter, Jeeves, at a time like this?' 'There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter' P.G. Wodehouse 
 ________ 
 
 Every single one of Stephen Fry's ties - whether floral, fluorescent, football themed; striped or spotty, outrageous or simply debonair - tells an intimate tale about a moment in Stephen's life. 
 
 Inspired by Stephen's hugely popular Instagram posts, this book will feature beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations and photographs to celebrate his expansive collection of man's greatest clothing companion: The Tie, in all its sophisticated glory. 
 
 Distinctively funny and offering witty asides, facts and personal stories, this book will make the perfect gift for anyone who has ever worn a tie.

What do ties matter, Jeeves, at a time like this?' 'There is no time, sir, at which ties do not matter'

A well-tied tie is the first serious step in life

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society

Fry's Ties ponders, speculates and celebrates the humble (and sometimes very fancy) tie. 
 
Stephen Fry's love of ties began with the striking silk affairs inherited from a grandfather, and grew as he accumulated neckties, bow ties and cravats from jumble sales, village fêtes, charity and curiosity shops. Matters turned more serious when he could afford to buy them brand spanking new . . . 
 
Yet each tie tells a story - rich and interesting tales about the social fads, fancies and fluctuations of human history and culture. From the shifting fortunes of the British high street, from the patriotic outfitters of the First World War to European tastemakers and Hollywood royalty, ties from Lacroix and Liberty, Brooks Brothers, Moss Bros and countless others have all played a part in our social fabric. 
 
A captivating blend of memoir and history, Fry's Ties reveals the fascinating, surprising and sometimes moving stories behind one hundred of Stephen's favourite neck adornments. It is the perfect accoutrement for anyone who loves a tie, has occasion to wear one or simply wants to know what precisely all the fuss is about.

By the time he was fifteen, Stephen Fry owned more than forty ties. Inherited initially from a grandfather, matters turned more serious when he could afford to buy them brand spanking new. 
 
Stephen's collection now numbers well into the hundreds. And each tie - whether floral, fluorescent, football themed; striped or spotty, outrageous or simply debonair - tells a story. A tale of the garment itself - the shops, makers and designers - as well as of Stephen, his reasons for choosing it, whether an occasion or just a whim. 
 
Inspired by Stephen's hugely popular Instagram posts, this book will feature beautiful, hand-drawn illustrations and photographs to celebrate his expansive collection of man's greatest asset: the Tie, in all its sophisticated glory.

Our Greatest Story Retold

Troy

AN EPIC BATTLE THAT LASTED TEN YEARS. A LEGENDARY STORY THAT HAS SURVIVED THOUSANDS. 
 
'An inimitable retelling of the siege of Troy . . . Fry's narrative, artfully humorous and rich in detail, breathes life and contemporary relevance into these ancient tales' OBSERVER 
 
'Stephen Fry has done it again. Well written and super storytelling' 5***** READER REVIEW 
 ________ 
 
 'Troy. The most marvellous kingdom in all the world. The Jewel of the Aegean. Glittering Ilion, the city that rose and fell not once but twice . . .' 
 
When Helen, the beautiful Greek queen, is kidnapped by the Trojan prince Paris, the most legendary war of all time begins. 
 
Watch in awe as a thousand ships are launched against the great city of Troy. 
 
Feel the fury of the battleground as the Trojans stand resolutely against Greek might for an entire decade. 
 
And witness the epic climax - the wooden horse, delivered to the city of Troy in a masterclass of deception by the Greeks . . . 
 
In Stephen Fry's exceptional retelling of our greatest story, TROY will transport you to the depths of ancient Greece and beyond. 
 ________ 
 
 'A fun romp through the world's greatest story. Fry's knowledge of the world - ancient and modern - bursts through' Daily Telegraph 
 
'An excellent retelling . . . told with compassion and wit' 5***** Reader Review 
 
'Hugely successful, graceful' The Times 
 
'If you want to read about TROY, this book is a must over any other' 5***** Reader Review 
 
'Fluent, crisp, nuanced, begins with a bang' The Times Literary Supplement 
 
'The characters . . . are brilliantly brought to life' 5***** Reader Review 
 
 PRAISE FOR STEPHEN FRY'S GREEK SERIES: 
 
 'A romp through the lives of ancient Greek gods. Fry is at his story-telling best . . . the gods will be pleased' Times 
 
 'A head-spinning marathon of legends' Guardian 
 
 'An Olympian feat. The gods seem to be smiling on Fry - his myths are definitely a hit' Evening Standard 
 
 'An odyssey through Greek mythology. Brilliant . . . all hail Stephen Fry' Daily Mail 
 
 'A rollicking good read' Independent

An amiable meander through the historic sources . . . Fry's light and graceful tone helps to ease the unfamiliar reader through the complicated genealogies

An inimitable retelling of the siege of Troy . . . Fry's narrative, artfully humorous and rich in detail, breathes life and contemporary relevance into these ancient tales

Fry's lively writing certainly conveys his lifelong passion for Greek myths . . . It's a rollicking good read

Perfect for the 21st Century. Ebullient, funny, Fry retells the Greek myths with elegance

Lively, humorous and intimate, this retelling has real charm

A wondrous new immersion in ancient stories we only thought we knew. Brilliant, funny, erudite, inventive, surprising and enthralling

Tragedy and passion abound as Fry retells the epic siege of Troy

Stephen Fry takes the reader into the heart of a story both mythical and grounded in history

This pacy, witty retelling is beautifully illustrated, with an epilogue explaining the myths and historical reality of Troy

Astonishing . . . an excellent read

Curl up on your sofa as Stephen brings to life the legendary . . . passionate and powerful story of Troy

Fry is a genial guide to Greek mythology

Fry's knowledge of the world - ancient and modern - bursts through at the seams . . . The reader will find themselves on a fun romp through the world's greatest story

Fry really brings the tale to life, adding his own wry humour to the mix . . . Well worth a read

A story thousands of years old, only Fry could rewrite this so captivating as ever

Fry takes us from the founding myth of Troy, through its most famous inhabitants and the infamous war, to the razing of the city by the vengeful and victorious Achaeans

Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director. He is also the bestselling author of four novels - The Stars' Tennis Balls, Making History, The Hippopotamus and The Liar - as well as three volumes of autobiography - Moab is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me. Mythos and Heroes, his retelling of the Greek myths, are both Sunday Times bestsellers.

The story of Troy speaks to all of us - the kidnapping of Helen, a queen celebrated for her beauty, sees the Greeks launch a thousand ships against the city of Troy, to which they will lay siege for ten whole years. It is a terrible war with casualties on all sides as well as strained relations between allies, whose consequences become tragedies. 
 
In Troy you will find heroism and hatred, love and loss, revenge and regret, desire and despair. It is these human passions, written bloodily in the sands of a distant shore, that still speak to us today.

The Hippopotamus

Ted Wallace is a sour, old, cantankerous beast, a womanising and whisky-sodden bounder of a failed poet and drama critic, but he has his faults too. 
 
 Fired from his newspaper, months behind on his alimony payments and disgusted with a world that undervalues him, Ted seeks a few months' repose and free drink at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Lord Logan. 
 
 But strange things have been going on at Swafford. Miracles. Healings. Phenomena beyond the comprehension of a mud-caked hippopotamus like Ted. 
 
 'Clever...witty...not what it seems' The Times 
 
 'My goodness what fruity language Fry uses! You can feel his enjoyment, and also the huge force of his desire to please you, as you read this' Daily Mail

My goodness what fruity language Fry uses! You can feel his enjoyment, and also the huge force of his desire to please you, as you read this

Fresh, filthy, funny and fizzing with ideas

One of the funniest people writing on either side of the Atlantic ... like a combination of Evelyn Waugh and Kingsley Amis but funnier than either

Stephen Fry is an award-winning comedian, actor, presenter and director. He rose to fame alongside Hugh Laurie in A Bit of Fry and Laurie (which he co-wrote with Laurie) and Jeeves and Wooster, and was unforgettable as General Melchett in Blackadder. He has hosted over 180 episodes of QI, and has narrated all seven of the Harry Potter novels for the audiobook recordings. He is the bestselling author of four novels - The Stars' Tennis Balls, Making History, The Hippopotamus and The Liar - as well as three volumes of autobiography - Moab is My Washpot, The Fry Chronicles and More Fool Me. Mythos and Heroes, his retelling of the Greek myths, are both Sunday Times bestsellers.

The outrageously funny second novel, and now major motion picture, from British actor, comedian, author, presenter, journalist and national treasure, Stephen Fry. 
 
Ted Wallace is an old, sour, womanising, cantankerous, whisky-sodden beast of a failed poet and drama critic, but he has his faults too. Fired from his newspaper, months behind on his alimony payments and disgusted with a world that undervalues him, Ted seeks a few months' repose and free drink at Swafford Hall, the country mansion of his old friend Lord Logan. 
 
But strange things have been going on at Swafford. Miracles. Healings. Phenomena beyond the comprehension of a mud-caked hippopotamus like Ted. 
 
Praise for The Hippopotamus: 
 
 'My goodness what fruity language Fry uses! You can feel his enjoyment, and also the huge force of his desire to please you, as you read this' Daily Mail 
 
'Deliciously wicked!' New York Times 
 
'Fresh, filthy, funny and fizzing with ideas' Evening Standard

The Stars' Tennis Balls

Ned Maddstone has the world at his feet. Handsome, charming, popular and talented, his life is progressing smoothly, effortlessly, happily. 
 
 But an unfortunate confrontation with a boy in his school results in a prank that goes badly wrong and suddenly he's incarcerated - without chance of release. So begins a year-long process of torment and hopelessness, which will destroy his very identity, until almost nothing remains of him but this unquenchable desire for revenge. 
 
 'Whatever Stephen Fry does, he has it - that rare, unlearnable quality. When he speaks you listen. When he writes, you read' Literary Review 
 
 'Keeps you simultaneously gripped and chuckling throughout' Later

A gruesome romp through the canon of human wickedness

Fry isn't just a good writer as comedians go - he's a great writer by the standards of any British contemporary... gleaming and wit-fuelled... It keeps you simultaneously gripped and chuckling throughout.

A Count of Monte Cristo for the dot.com generation... Whatever Stephen Fry does, he has it - that rare, unlearnable quality. When he speaks you listen. When he writes, you read.

Stylish... written up with zest and humour... a page-turner and full of fun

A thrilling novel inspired by the Count of Monte Cristo from British actor, comedian, author, presenter, journalist and national treasure, Stephen Fry. 
_______ 
 
Ned Maddstone has the world at his feet. He is handsome, talented and about to go to Cambridge, after which he is expected to follow his father into politics. But an unfortunate confrontation with a boy in his school results in a prank that goes badly wrong and suddenly he's incarcerated - without chance of release. 
 
So begins a year long process of torment and hopelessness, which will destroy his very identity, until almost nothing remains of him but this unquenchable desire for revenge... 
 
Praise for The Stars' Tennis Balls: 
 
 'Fry adds a talent for terror and suspense-writing to his quiverful of skills ' Daily Telegraph 
 
 'Whatever Stephen Fry does, he has it - that rare, unlearnable quality. When he speaks, you listen. When he writes, you read' Literary Review 
 
 'A great writer by the standards of any British contemporary' Sunday Times

Stephen Fry

The Greek Myths Retold

The Greek myths are amongst the best stories ever told, passed down through millennia and inspiring writers and artists as varied as Shakespeare, Michelangelo, James Joyce and Walt Disney. 
 
They are embedded deeply in the traditions, tales and cultural DNA of the West. You'll fall in love with Zeus, marvel at the birth of Athena, wince at Cronus and Gaia's revenge on Ouranos, weep with King Midas and hunt with the beautiful and ferocious Artemis. 
 
Spellbinding, informative and moving, Stephen Fry's Mythos perfectly captures these stories for the modern age - in all their rich and deeply human relevance.

Step into Stephen Fry’s richly colourful world of magic, mayhem, monsters and maniacal gods in Mythos: The Illustrated Story.