Book Review: The Hero with a Thousand Faces

The Hero with a Thousand Faces

by Joseph Campbell

Throughout history stories have been shared. Around the camp fire, from the pulpit, in the classroom, on the stage, and in writing, stories have woven the fabric of the human condition. Analyzing stories and structure from the beginning of time, patterns emerge; patterns that show what makes an intriguing and compelling story. Those patterns are precisely what Joseph Campbell explores in The Hero with a Thousand Faces.

Every successful chef begins with knowledge of a few basic ingredients. Campbell teaches a Master’s class by exploring, in great detail and example, the basic ingredients of story: the Hero, the Villain, the Mentor, the formulaic story arc, etc. After finishing this book, it is clear how the understanding Campbell provides has inspired such artists as George Lucas, Arthur C. Clarke, Bob Dylan, and J.K. Rowling.

To cite an example, see if this character description rings a bell. From the chapter discussing the Hero’s departure and encountering a Mentor or some form of supernatural aid:

“Not infrequently, the supernatural helper is masculine in form. In fairy lore it may be some little fellow of the wood, some wizard, hermit, shepherd, or smith, who appears to supply the amulets and advice that the hero will require.”

As much novel as it is lecture as it is textbook, The Hero with a Thousand Faces has the vast knowledge that every fan of story can and should know. Tracing the tales of mythology, the origin stories of many modern religions, and some classic tales that have been absorbed into our collective unconscious, follow along through numerous examples, hearing tales and seeing examples of these ingredients being used by the masters.

Aims

As much a history guide of classic stories as of story ingredients, Joseph Campbell gives numerous examples of how and why these basic elements work across many cultures. With illustrations accompanying historic examples and guides to map story arc and progress, the elements and patterns of story are explained in depth and are unmistakable.

Using examples from mythic stories from cultures around the globe, The Hero with a Thousand Faces often feels as if it is reaching into the depths of your mind, pulling stories from your past and using them as evidence to support why this mythic structure is indeed timeless.

Pros vs Cons

Like curing up and having a bedtime story read to you, Campbell illustrates his narrative of narratives in a comforting manner, so you almost don’t realize you are learning. The illustrations accompanying some of the classic myths make you want to turn the book around to show off the artwork.

Beginning with Freud, Jung, and relating myths as dreams, The Hero with a Thousand Faces reads like a history of storytelling. Divided into a logical progression through the story arc, The Hero with a Thousand Faces navigates easily around while you are writing your own classic myth.

Pros	Cons
Thorough and Precise Covers Material in an Interesting Manner Excellent Examples Fascinating Illustrations	Language Can be Confusing Didactic at times

PI Scale*

* Since most writer’s guides vary in a range from practical advice to inspirational wisdom, I have developed the Practical/Inspirational (PI) scale. I feel these qualities rank on a continuum rather than exist exclusively. While a book may certainly have both qualities, the included graphic is meant to illustrate where I personally rate this book on the Practical/Inspirational continuum.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces is epic in its scope of practical advice and classic examples. It is inspirational in its wisdom as well as by illustrating its advice put into action.

Conclusion

The Hero with a Thousand Faces is perfect for beginning writers, writing classes, published writers, scholars, or anyone looking to delve into the art and history of storytelling. This is the definitive writing guide that inspired many others.

Stay tuned as next time I’ll review one of my personal favorites, Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles.