Dream Angus by Alexander McCall Smith is one of the books of the Canongate Myths. I’ve only read one other book in the series, The Penelopiad, by Margaret Atwood, and I truly loved it. I enjoyed this one as well, which is a retelling of the myth of the Celtic god of dreams and love.
The book starts out with the tales of how Angus came into being and grew up, and then it has separate stories, alternating between modern and ancient times, of Angus and his doings. One of the stories seemed a bit harsh, but in most of them Angus was a giver of good dreams, enabling people (and sometimes animals) to come to peace with their situations.
I really enjoy Alexander McCall Smith’s writing style and I love myths, so I was very happy to read this book. Since both of the books I’ve read in this series were very enjoyable, I may branch out into the other installments listed below as well.
2006, 173 pp.
Other books in the series:
- Karen Armstrong
A Short History of Myth - Margaret Atwood
The Penelopiad - Michel Faber
The Fire Gospel - David Grossman
Lion’s Honey - Alexander McCall Smith
Dream Angus - Klas Ostergren
The Hurricane Party - Victor Pelevin
The Helmet of Horror - Ali Smith
Girl Meets Boy - Su Tong
Binu and the Great Wall - Dubravka Ugresic
Baba Yaga Laid an Egg - Salley Vickers
Where Three Roads Meet - Jeanette Winterson
Weight
I am really enjoying this series and I hope you read more of them too. Girl Meets Boy and Binu and the Great Wall have been my favourites so far and I am really looking forward to reading the Penelopiad too.
I’ll definitely look into those. My library doesn’t have those two, but I’ll be on the lookout on bookmooch and pbs.
Reposting some comments I lost:
Veens from http://nidhiveens-loveforbooks.blogspot.com said:
so I have to read this book first and then follow it up with the others in the list.
I am ashamed to tell you that, I have not read The Odyssey… But I love myths
Melanie from http://www.indextrious.blogspot.com said:
This one and the Penelopiad were my favourites in this series so far. I especially enjoyed Dream Angus, as it showed another side of Alexander McCall Smith, who I enjoy reading anyhow.
Mee from http://www.meexia.com/bookie said:
I just read Penelopiad in this series too. I’m thinking which one I should pick up next!
Jaimie from http://lovingmyhome.blogspot.com/ said:
I haven’t read any of his myths and am curious about them. I love the Ladies Detective Agency and was thinking about starting on the Philosophy Club. I love his writing too. Thanks for the review and I will be looking out for this one.