43 pages 1 hour read

Mircea Eliade, Transl. Willard R. Trask

The Myth of the Eternal Return

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1949

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

In The Myth of the Eternal Return, Mircea Eliade examines the religious beliefs of archaic societies, contrasting their cyclical understanding of time and sacred rituals, which reflect a recurring divine creation, with the linear, historical perspective of modernity. Eliade explores how these societies' ontological views shaped their rituals and coping mechanisms for suffering. Topics of suffering and despair are discussed.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Mircea Eliade's The Myth of the Eternal Return, translated by Willard R. Trask, is praised for its deep analysis of religious symbolism and historical recurrence, offering insightful perspectives on ancient traditions. However, some readers find the language dense and the argumentation occasionally disjointed, potentially challenging for casual readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Myth of the Eternal Return?

Readers who enjoy exploring the philosophical aspects of history and religion will be captivated by The Myth of the Eternal Return by Mircea Eliade and translated by Willard R. Trask. This book appeals to those who appreciated The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell and Time and the Other by Johannes Fabian.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Topics

Philosophy

Religion / Spirituality

History: World

Themes

Values/Ideas: Fate

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos

Genre

Anthropology

Philosophy

Psychology