DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MYTHOLOGY

When author Kenneth Davis asks and answers questions about the myths themselves-the weird stories, the odd names, and the animals created by mix and match-the Don't Know Much About format works well. In these sections John Lee's delivery is lively. The brief "mythic voices" sections, which share translated portions of the actual myths, provide a nice rhythm. However, despite Lee's informed but conversational delivery, the book drags at times. Davis's theoretical explanations of mythology are wordy and lack rhythm. There's nothing Lee can do to make these sections easy listening, and when Lee reads one of Davis's timelines, it becomes nothing more than a recitation of facts. G.T.B. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/ SEP 06]