Books let people live a thousand lives in a thousand worlds...

1. Myths

Any kind of them, in general. Mythology has inspired the artists of all centuries. From ancient tragedy to modern animation, all spheres of culture and art are permeated with meanings and images generated by myth. Sumerian Gilgamesh, Celtic Cuchulainn, Yukaghir Edilway. Having been through much together with them, the reader understands not only the art, but also himself better. In the myth narrative everyone discovers his own human values: bravery and courage, ancient wisdom, or true friendship and sincere love.

2. Stories, by Howard P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard

Both of the authors are masters of short story. During their lifetime, they were pen pals, let us review their works concurrently, I think. The H. Lovecraft worlds are filled with hopelessness and horror against the vast and unknowable. A human there is not a main character, but a helpless witness to terrible events. Nowadays more and more people have the same feeling. This is where R. Howard comes to their rescue. When H. Lovecraft describes the world, then R. Howard explains how to live in this world. His heroes are the warriors who defy everything and everyone, even the death itself. They continue to fight, knowing that the victory is hardly attainable. Their lust for life is invincible. It takes a lot of courage to accept all the horrors of life, but even more of courage you need to continue your life and fight in spite of all the danger.

3. The Flowers of Evil, by Charles Baudelaire

The book, that both fascinates and equally terrifies. Beauty in blossom among images of evil, vice and degradation. Catharsis guaranteed! And at poetry I would also like to mention: William Butler Yeats, Arthur Rimbaud, Alfred Tennyson, Sergei Yesenin, Velimir Khlebnikov, Edgar Allan Poe... and to continue the list for ever.

4. The Moomin stories, by Tove Jansson

The books I liked when I was a kid and those I'm glad to come back to now. A unique world, a unique atmosphere, interesting and original figures with their personal stories and characters.

5. Dandelion Wine, by Ray Bradbury

On the eve of the summer holidays, I can't help thinking about this wonderful book. In its pages the reality is intertwined with the dreams and fantasies of the main character, and the narrative lets the reader spend one of a summer with this boy. This book really brings you back to childhood and helps you to see miracles in the simplest things.

Reviews like that are always very difficult to conclude. There seems to be so much unmentioned left. From "The Sea-Wolf" by Jack London to the religion studies of Mircea Eliade, and from the fantasy of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis to philosophy of F. Nietzsche and S. Kierkegaard. I only say, that books let people live a thousand lives in a thousand worlds, and one dare not waste this opportunity!