The Life Fantastic: Myth, History, Pop and Folklore in the Making of Western Culture
Noa Menhaim
Jul 2022 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Jenny Funnell
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12 hr 17 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook
This collection of highly entertaining, mind-blowing and incredibly wide-ranging essays will make readers see western culture as they've never seen it before. From monsters to witches and ancient libraries to lost islands, The Life Fantastic seeks to trace the origins of ideas, their surprising paths and unexpected ways in which they interact and manifest throughout history.
• Discover the real life stories that inspired characters from the most famous children's tales, from Winnie the Pooh to Alice in Wonderland
• Track the discovery of the lost island Atlantis through western history, from Plato to Aquaman
• Explore the history of the clitoris, from Aristotle asserting that only blondes can orgasm, to when it was thought to identify a witch, through Freud and beyond
By digging around the roots of literary genres, popular stories and ancient myths, Noa propels the reader back and forth through time, from high to popular culture, from art to politics and religion, on a journey to ever expanding horizons. The addition of side notes create a network of references between the chapters, allowing readers to follow links that interest them – to go from Amazons to Vikings, then to mermaids. The Life Fantastic is an invitation to explore the fascinating structure and some of the rich elements that make up the collective subconscious of western culture.
• Discover the real life stories that inspired characters from the most famous children's tales, from Winnie the Pooh to Alice in Wonderland
• Track the discovery of the lost island Atlantis through western history, from Plato to Aquaman
• Explore the history of the clitoris, from Aristotle asserting that only blondes can orgasm, to when it was thought to identify a witch, through Freud and beyond
By digging around the roots of literary genres, popular stories and ancient myths, Noa propels the reader back and forth through time, from high to popular culture, from art to politics and religion, on a journey to ever expanding horizons. The addition of side notes create a network of references between the chapters, allowing readers to follow links that interest them – to go from Amazons to Vikings, then to mermaids. The Life Fantastic is an invitation to explore the fascinating structure and some of the rich elements that make up the collective subconscious of western culture.
About the author
Noa Manheim is an essayist, editor, lecturer, literary critic and head of the Hebrew literature department at Israel's largest publishing house. Manheim has made many appearances on radio and television. She is also known for her screenwriting, script editing and TV series development.
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