Corydon & the Island of Monsters

Article by David Bisson

Within history’s progression has mankind been birthed and advanced unto its current state. Such perpetual life, however, was not achieved of that by consistency nor fact or truth. Prodigal amendment and that of observation and possibility has enabled us to grow and heighten as a people. And with such growth have our faculties for such observation and realization of opportunity been bettered. Yet of yore, were we absent of such presence that could we render explanation or derivation for such prodigious feats as weather, death, life and change. And thus, was the kingdom of mythology and gods, and in essence religion, birthed. For such explanations was indebted that of a god or goddess’ attribute for their term of mind, and being. However, none such mythology has been famed as that of the Grecian system. With Zeus the omnipotent monarch, in dominion of innumerable seraphs, including immortal children and foreboding monster alike, sat he upon the septum Olympus, in determining the lot of mankind. Long were the gods worshipped in ultimate prowess and immaculateness for countless centuries. However, with other religions of monotheistic derivation, as well as science making countless discovery in the field of natural laws, the great kingdom of mythology gradually declined into nothingness. And yet, we can always return to such a place as the Olympian palace.
“Corydon & the Island of Monsters,” written by Tobias Druitt, is an excellent book to return to this world. The book reveals the tale of a simple shepherd boy, Corydon, who when abandoned by his friends, family and village, is captured into a wandering band of pirates, where he finds himself in the midst of such creatures as the Minotaur, the Sphinx, and Medusa. Managing to break free when two gorgons, Sthenno and Euryale meet with the men, the boy takes refuge with the monsters, and commences his learning of their ways. Moreover, he learns much of himself. Born with a furred leg of a goat, Corydon learns from the knowledgeable Sphinx that he is the prophesized mormoluke who will unite with the monsters to fight for survival. And fight they must, for an army amasses against them, headed none other by the arrogant Perseus. Knowing of the destruction to come, Corydon must also master the abilities of a mysterious Staff: wielded to torture the monsters, yes, but perhaps the only hope of survival for him, and his friends. In this epic, all wonders await!
Some members of the book, upon occasion, do render the reader confused, as the author mends the perspective betwixt several characters from one to the other. Some dialogue may prove to be monotonous, and one hero, Kharmides, who is followed unto the island, is at times unnecessary, however his character and personality, as later manifested near the end of the battle, is imperative and imparts compassion lacked by all other heroes. The author then recaptures the course of the book, and brilliantly directs it unto a conclusion befitting of a sequel. Moreover, Corydon’s exploits in attempting his self-discovery, including his repair unto the Underworld, is most exquisite in its presentation. In entirety, the contrivance of the book is so violently unique in itself, for Corydon in the war chooses to side with the monsters. Through his inhabitation with them, personalities of humility, of friendship, and of trust are related by all. After centuries of being condemned as vile and base by other historians and myth-tellers, the monsters are denoted compassion once deterred them of being learned, and overall respected. Such a courageous feat as this, accompanied with the eloquent manner to still retain them as immortals and awesome beings, renders the monsters as the heroes themselves, and the Grecian heroes as monsters: incapable of tolerance of others, and uncompassionate of diversity.
Presented in a modern style of myth, those who have diverted in the opulent writings of lore will treasure this wealth of a book. Come and adventure unto a world long abandoned since the time of Roman posterity: where the lands are beteemed of cypress and fig trees, where the waters are deep and blue as sky, and with the hot sun upon your visage, anything and everything is possible. Adventure unto the Island of Monsters, where in every direction, all you can see is magic and opportunity. And you never know what shall happen next.