Attempting to decipher the hidden layers of true meaning behind the mundane happenings of daily life is a lofty goal indeed. Roland Barthes' Mythologies attempts to do just that, using semiotics as a structural discipline to unravel the 'myths' that we see around us. The mythologies referred to in the book are not the ones we usually mean, such as Norse mythology or Greek mythology. Rather they refer to the innate significance or symbolism behind everyday objects and occurrences.

Through a series of essays on topics as varied as wrestling, or the difference between wine and milk, Barthes throws a new light on age old topics. In one particularly wonderful essay, he explains that the reason we like foamy soap and associate it with luxury, is because we see it as the generation of abundance (foam) from seemingly nothing (a small bar of soap). Something akin to Cornucopia, in other words.

A couple of challenges in reading this book are that firstly, some of the topics and events covered are either dated, or are so particularly French in nature that it it difficult to understand them. In some other cases, the writing style tends toward being too academic, which makes the ideas difficult to grasp.

This is most evident in the final essay wherein Barthes attempts to explain the theory of Semiotics. While probably a very erudite essay, it makes for very difficult reading for someone who is not a student of Semiotics or cultural theory.

All in all this is a very good read. It serves to expand one's horizons by positing a certain way of thinking about the things we see around us which is refreshing and unique.