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There are currently 20 member reviews
for Greek to Me
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Christine P. (Essex Junction, VT)
Greek To Me
I loved this book, but it isn't for everyone. I also love words and language, and so does Mary Norris. In her new book, Greek To Me, she loves everything Greek and shares her extensive knowledge along with her own story in an entertaining and engaging way. But her knowledge is so deep that it's often overwhelming to absorb even a portion of what she offers. She made me dig deep, and I probably won't retain most of what I learned, but that doesn't matter. The book was fascinating and challenging, and I particularly enjoyed learning about her own family and personal history. She is such a good writer and it's always a pleasure to read anything she writes. As you may have guessed, I also loved her first book, Between You and Me.
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Marge V. (Merriam, KS)
Not Greek To Me
I really enjoyed this book! Ms. Norris has written to a niche audience I think but I am one of the ones she's written this for. I am a lover of words, their origins, and their roots. I also am a devotee of history and travel (although I am glad to get home). I used to be an editor and am still a writer albeit for my own descendants. Still, to learn about myth and history and to expand your world, read this interesting tome.
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Teresa R. (Surprise, AZ)
Not just for Word Nerds
Mary Norris' first book, Between You & Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen, provided a lively account of her (now 40-year) career as a copy editor at New Yorker magazine. Along the way she also furnished an entertaining and educational narrative on the topics of grammar and punctuation.
Ms. Norris' new book chronicles her challenges in achieving (semi-)fluency in Greek, which she studied diligently by day while copy editing through the graveyard shift at the New Yorker to pay her bills. The book is also a paean to the richness of the Greek contribution to Western Civilization as well as a travelogue documenting her visits to multiple locales cited in Greek mythology. Here and there she alludes to elements of that mythology poignantly reflected in incidents from her personal life (see Tragedy). If you neglected to take "Greek Civ 101" back in the day, this erudite but wryly entertaining book will nicely fill that gap.
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Alice R. (Wilmore, KY)
Language Guru
I liked reading this book for a few reasons. I have a Ph.D. and teach in education. I was actually drawn to this by the authors passion for the subject. I can relate to having a passion for something and making it my mission that everyone else join my train :) I think this book would appeal to anyone who loves languages and history!
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Kathryn S. (St. Helena Island, SC)
Greek To Me
What a fun book! It was like sitting down with a very down-to-earth chatty friend and comparing notes about things classical - languages, literature and travel. It helps to have at least a smattering knowledge of Greek (and Roman) mythology, mythology,classical languages (Latin and Greek) and geography, especially if acquired first hand through travel in Greece. Throw in a dash of New Yorker copy-editor asides, and you have a recipe for an entertaining evening's read.
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Courtney N. (Chicago, IL)
A fun exploration of language AND culture
I started reading this book thinking that it would be a language geek out from beginning to end and honestly looking forward to that. However, just as I was starting to get my fill of the language geekiness, the book took a turn and went into so much Greek culture and fun adventures taken by the author. I was charmed. I loved travelling with her as an outsider who realized that she would never fully understand life in this foreign land but loves it anyways.
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Elizabeth S. (East Hartford, CT)
Greek Love Affair
Retired New Yorker copy editor Mary Morris shares her lifelong love of Greece with a combined memoir, history, travel guide to all things Greek. Along the way the reader learns much from her witty style. Best suited to someone already familiar with a little Greek culture, the book highlights the difficulty of learning both ancient and modern Greek, the travails of traveling as a single woman, and the deep influence of Greek on English. Her self deprecating humor and refusal to take things too seriously adds to the enjoyment.
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