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This Week’s Word Is “Mythical.”
Last year, I reviewed MythMatch, a gorgeous work filled with portmanteau legends. Now its creators “Good Wives and Warriors” are back with Mythopedia, a more straightforward but no less sumptuous look at creatures of legend from around the world.
What is Mythopedia?
Mythopedia is essentially an atlas of the planet’s mythical animals. It is broken down by continent and examines a number of myths that come from a particular area. There are flood myths, creation myths, and warning myths all of which are tied together by the fact they involve mythical creatures. Some of these creatures will be familiar, others far less so, possibly depending on whereabouts in the world you live.
Each entry has at least one double-page spread. This details the creature via some boxed text which also describes a legend associated with it. This text also explains whereabouts in the world the legend originated from. Around that text, on each page, is a full-color and frankly stunning, illustration. There are 37 creatures in total. 17 of these are given an additional double-page spread that recounts the most famous legend they are associated with.
The book’s cover is a thing of beauty. Not only is the illustration amazing, drawing on many of the creatures…
