The first review of Hermes since publication

Mr Aiden Mousar

California 

This is a fascinating book that collects the themes of human exploration, mythology and ecological awareness and entwines them around the figure Hermes, the Greek god known as Herald and protector of travellers and a trickster.

One of my favourite parts of the book was the conscious reflection of our place in this Universe, are we really ready for what lies ahead? Hence, the quote "we make our way into the heavens to a place that has always known humanity intimately."

Also, Chance's inspiration from music fills the narrative with lyrical qualities that underscore its philosophical thoughtfulness.

Author's Response

The greatest pleasure I take from this review is that Mr Mousar has read this longish book of 585 pages very quickly, which emphasises that for some it is a page turner. 

Myth is a refraction of our most deeply held realities, and the fact that the book moves through myth making, historical accuracy and a degree of speculation in a cohesive whole is the core message of the book. We can allow ourselves to dream and reflect amongst this instant gratification age and connect myth and reality to make sense of the human experience.

Comments

Post a Comment

GOODREADS REVIEWS

Popular posts from this blog

Alan White - Lights Out

  Alan White When Chris Welch commented on Bill Bruford leaving Yes in the summer of 1972 he said it was like Rolls quitting Royce.    Over the years since then all the talk has been about how complex Yes's music was by then and what a mammoth task it was for Alan to come in and learn all that stuff in a few days which he did in time for Dallas. That was only a small part of the story the reality was the way Bill and Chris worked was entirely atypical.  To break into that required a complete rethink for the entire band. Chris towards the end, on the fortieth anniversary of the Yes Album acknowledged that. Rick in late '72 found the change unsettling. It was as if the foundations of a building had been completely remodelled and the upper floors didn't sit properly afterwards.  When you sat in the Wembley Arena in 1977 and listened to Alan count in Starship Trooper you knew the journey had been ...
Read more

Jon Anderson and The Band Geeks -True

Image
There are really just two questions for me, Is the organiser back.  Has he opened the door and entered the House of Castellano or merely thrown some fairy dust over it.  The Organiser In 1980, when the tectonic plates of Yes shifted, shaking the very foundations that had driven them to such incredible heights, the roots of the earthquake lay with Jon. He had decided he was no longer "the organiser" but a song writer, who wanted to make more spontaneous music.  In 2023 he returned to an idea he had pursued on two previous occasions; to re-establish himself at the fore front of Yes's most demanding music, the music that has become known as the main sequence. So, he dialled B for Band Geeks.  They and Jon delighted everyone on their tour last spring, receiving standing ovations wherever they went. The idea then begins to spin around in Jon's mind about another possibility; new music with the young Turks who played the classics with such elan, energy, flair and skill....
Read more

Levin Torn White

How do you end up with such a sense of corporate achievement when they did not even sit in the same room to make the music? Well the answer to that is clearly the director of operations Mr Schorr who piloted the three passengers so deftly and empathetically to the ultimate destination. However I suspect therein lays the key to why each player is able to deliver up such idiosyncratic and full performances. To continue the analogy Schoor flew them by an interesting route he even allowed them to choose the way there. Listening late at night to this pillow full of dark emphasises the music’s earthiness and sharp urban unsentimental feel but it is never miserable or dull. The sense of enquiry is positive and uplifting rather than panic stricken or over clever and I think Alan’s contribution which is warm and soulful is crucial in this area. He maybe pushing the envelope but the playing is routed in his natural modesty.  Tony is a one man bass orchestra and his contribution gives the...
Read more