82 pages • 2 hours read
The Hero with a Thousand Faces
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Book Brief
432
Book • Nonfiction
1940s
1949
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, published in 1949, explores the theory of the "monomyth," or the universal narrative structures found in diverse storytelling traditions. The first part examines the hero's journey, detailing stages such as the call to adventure, supernatural aid, thresholds, trials, and the hero's return. The second part investigates commonalities in creation and cosmogonic myths, linking them to human psychology and the cycles of creation and destruction. Campbell intertwines the hero's journey with cosmic themes, discussing various hero archetypes and their ultimate return to oneness with the universe. In the epilogue, he contrasts traditional mythological contexts with the modern need for internal spiritual quests.
Informative
Inspirational
Contemplative
Mysterious
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
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Review Roundup
Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces is lauded for its pioneering analysis of the hero's journey, revealing universal patterns in mythology. Its rich insights appeal to scholars and storytellers alike. Critics, however, sometimes find its prose dense and its scope overly ambitious. Despite this, its influence on literature and film remains indisputable.
Who Should Read The Hero with a Thousand Faces ?
A reader fascinated by comparative mythology, archetypes, and storytelling would enjoy The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. This book is ideal for those who appreciate works like The Power of Myth or The Hero’s Journey by Christopher Vogler, connecting shared human experiences across cultures through mythological narratives.
49,074 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Hero
The Hero
An archetypal figure in the hero’s journey narrative, often possessing unique gifts and facing significant trials, who transforms through an extraordinary adventure and serves as a model for spiritual journeys.
The Goddess
The Goddess
A central figure in the hero’s journey, representing the hero’s victory and serving as a predestined companion or mother figure, often encountered in the magical world.
The Divine Father
The Divine Father
An ultimate divinity representing the hero’s father, often encountered at the end of the hero’s journey, who may test the hero and facilitate a form of reconciliation.
Holdfast
Holdfast
The antagonist of the hero’s journey, depicting figures that resist change and hoard benefits, often representing opposition to the hero's transformative quest.
432
Book • Nonfiction
1940s
1949
Adult
18+ years
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