Čudesne priče

Wonder-Book is one of the finest works of 19th-century children’s literature, in which the renowned American author Nathaniel Hawthorne transforms ancient Greek myths into warm, dynamic, and imaginative tales tailored for younger readers. The framing narrative follows a student named Eustace Bright, who recounts age-old legends to a group of children at the Tanglewood estate in a fresh and engaging way. The collection features famous mythological episodes: the story of King Midas, whose every touch turns to gold; the tale of the daring Perseus and the fearsome Gorgon Medusa; the account of Pandora’s curiosity and her opening of a mysterious box; and the story of Bellerophon and his wondrous winged horse, Pegasus. Rather than presenting the myths in their original—often harsh—form, Hawthorne reimagines them with an abundance of warmth, humor, and poetic simplicity. Through vivid descriptions and endearing characters, the author subtly weaves in moral lessons regarding greed, hope, courage, and selflessness. To this day, Wonder-Book remains an exceptionally compelling introduction to classical mythology, offering readers of all ages a magical journey into a world of imagination, monsters, heroes, and wisdom.