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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
This was an interesting book. I really liked it when I read it in one of my classics studies classes in college. It was one of my favorites out of what we read.
Bye bye intimidating Greek mythology its time to divide and conquer.
In *fingers crossed* 30 days and 15 books down, I'll be a new woman
BOOK 1:
The creation, giants roaming and a flood that wrecks Earth. It's Biblical references galore and I like the new Mr and Mrs Noah.
BOOK 2:
The Earth went from flooded with water to now being set on fire (resilient af). The mini epic which this scene comes from, Phaëthon, is by faaar my current favourite. The descriptions of the constellations and zodiacs coming alive in the sky was so pretty to read. And I h a t e how the Gods are treating the Nymphs.
BOOK 3:
These Gods are in serious need of anger management. 'Only after his life was destroyed in a welter of wounds is Diana, the goddess of hunting, said to have cooled her anger.'
BOOK 4:
The 3 stories by the Daughter's of Minyas were a nice tone change but then they're transformed to bats and can't tell stories anymore (boo Bacchus).
BOOK 5:
Blood bath --->
BOOK 6:
Um- what the f*ck Tereus. It started so good, so lighthearted with the weaving competition story and jealous Minerva turning Arachne into a spider. Then Tereus ruins it all - the sisters revenge was a well served dish.
BOOK 7:
FINALLY a rational character who doesn't run around like an emotional toddler who was refused candy.
BOOK 8:
The beginning and end of this book were excellent but that middle section about the boar - yawn.
BOOK 9:
Hercules!
BOOK 10:
In school I did a project on Jean Cocteau's film 'Orpheus' so him being central to this book was a nice nostalgic moment.
BOOK 11:
The infamous Midas where everything he touches turns to gold (I always thought he was greedy but after this version I somehow feel sympathy for him??)
BOOK 12:
In the Trojan war era. 'Rumour' is competing now for my favourite tale its short and sweet with gorgeous prose.
BOOK 13:
Wheres the Wooden Horse?
BOOK 14:
Considering I haven't read Virgil's Aeneid nor Homer's Illiad this was fairly confusing. Damn the violence in this quote tho 'whose limbs would quiver beneath my teeth as i crunched them!'
BOOK 15:
The satisfaction of finally finishing !!
In *fingers crossed* 30 days and 15 books down, I'll be a new woman
BOOK 1:
The creation, giants roaming and a flood that wrecks Earth. It's Biblical references galore and I like the new Mr and Mrs Noah.
BOOK 2:
The Earth went from flooded with water to now being set on fire (resilient af). The mini epic which this scene comes from, Phaëthon, is by faaar my current favourite. The descriptions of the constellations and zodiacs coming alive in the sky was so pretty to read. And I h a t e how the Gods are treating the Nymphs.
BOOK 3:
These Gods are in serious need of anger management. 'Only after his life was destroyed in a welter of wounds is Diana, the goddess of hunting, said to have cooled her anger.'
BOOK 4:
The 3 stories by the Daughter's of Minyas were a nice tone change but then they're transformed to bats and can't tell stories anymore (boo Bacchus).
BOOK 5:
Blood bath --->
BOOK 6:
Um- what the f*ck Tereus. It started so good, so lighthearted with the weaving competition story and jealous Minerva turning Arachne into a spider. Then Tereus ruins it all - the sisters revenge was a well served dish.
BOOK 7:
FINALLY a rational character who doesn't run around like an emotional toddler who was refused candy.
BOOK 8:
The beginning and end of this book were excellent but that middle section about the boar - yawn.
BOOK 9:
Hercules!
BOOK 10:
In school I did a project on Jean Cocteau's film 'Orpheus' so him being central to this book was a nice nostalgic moment.
BOOK 11:
The infamous Midas where everything he touches turns to gold (I always thought he was greedy but after this version I somehow feel sympathy for him??)
BOOK 12:
In the Trojan war era. 'Rumour' is competing now for my favourite tale its short and sweet with gorgeous prose.
BOOK 13:
Wheres the Wooden Horse?
BOOK 14:
Considering I haven't read Virgil's Aeneid nor Homer's Illiad this was fairly confusing. Damn the violence in this quote tho 'whose limbs would quiver beneath my teeth as i crunched them!'
BOOK 15:
The satisfaction of finally finishing !!
DISCLAIMER - I read this text as a set text for university meaning I did not pick this up for myself. It does not necessarily fit my usual reading selection so my review may be rather biased.
Interesting and poetic exploration of greek myths but not what I would read for fun. Note that I only read sections of the text and not fully cover to cover.
Interesting and poetic exploration of greek myths but not what I would read for fun. Note that I only read sections of the text and not fully cover to cover.
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Characters: 8/10
The characters in Metamorphoses are highly memorable, largely because of their mythological origins and the vivid transformations they undergo. Many secondary figures are vital to the stories, often embodying symbolic or thematic elements that enrich the narrative. However, I felt they were not deeply individuated, often serving as archetypes rather than complex personalities. While their fates frequently evoked strong emotions, especially in tragic moments like Daphne’s escape or Arachne’s punishment, they sometimes felt more like vehicles for Ovid’s themes than fully realized individuals. Still, I found it easy to describe them, as their traits and stories are distinct and impactful.
Atmosphere/Setting: 9/10
The setting and atmosphere of Metamorphoses were incredibly immersive. I could easily picture the natural landscapes, divine realms, and extraordinary transformations through Ovid’s vivid descriptions. The energy in pivotal scenes, particularly moments of divine intervention or intense drama, was palpable and engrossing. While the episodic nature occasionally interrupted this immersion, each individual myth felt complete and compelling, with its own richly described world.
Writing Style: 10/10
I found Ovid’s writing style absolutely exquisite. The prose was lyrical, evocative, and filled with both wit and pathos, creating a unique reading experience. Depending on the translation, the language flowed beautifully, balancing accessibility with poetic artistry. The transitions between myths were seamless and clever, maintaining a sense of continuity despite the vast scope of the work. Ovid’s style made me eager to explore more of his writing, as his ability to balance emotional depth with narrative elegance was unmatched.
Plot: 8/10
The plot, structured as a series of interconnected myths, had a varied pacing that generally worked well but occasionally felt overwhelming due to its density. While I didn’t find any specific parts tedious, some stories felt thematically repetitive. However, the overarching theme of transformation provided a satisfying cohesion that tied the episodes together. The plot’s ambition and scope felt unparalleled, weaving hundreds of myths into a seamless narrative. The complexity was just right, offering a rich experience without being inaccessible, though the sheer volume of characters and events required close attention.
Intrigue: 7/10
I was consistently intrigued by many of the individual stories, but the lack of a central plot sometimes made it harder to feel a strong drive to continue reading. When I did pick it up, I was compelled to see how each myth unfolded and connected to the broader theme. However, the episodic format occasionally lessened the urgency to turn the page, as the stakes felt self-contained within each myth rather than building toward a larger climax.
Logic/Relationships: 8/10
The characters’ motives were generally clear and consistent, though they often felt allegorical rather than realistic. I found the mythological rules of the world coherent and fascinating, even when divine whimsy or fate dictated events. Nothing felt like a plot hole, but the stories required a suspension of disbelief that fit the mythological genre. The world-building was excellent, with rich descriptions of natural and supernatural elements that made the setting feel alive. Ovid struck a good balance between providing sufficient detail and leaving room for interpretation, and everything felt perfectly suited to the themes and tone of the work.
Enjoyment: 9/10
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Metamorphoses. The lyrical prose, vivid imagery, and fascinating myths kept me engaged throughout. While some sections resonated more strongly than others, the experience was consistently rewarding. Ovid’s storytelling left me feeling enriched and inspired, and I can confidently say that this is a work I will revisit in the future.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This translation by David Raeburn is refreshingly accessible. Having recently finished Dante's Comedy I was worried this would be a difficult read but was pleasantly surprised about how easy it was. Considering it's effectivity a collection of all the Greek myths related to metamorphosis the book flows very well, Ovid managed to chain the stories together so it doesn't feel like a collection of independant stories. If you're interested at all in Greek mythology then this should be on your must read list. Stephen Frys mythos is another good one to read, and have 2 versions written 2000 years apart to compare. I'll look up more Raeburn translations because this was so well done.
Amazing. This is The Bible. Recommended to every myth nerd. How Ovid just describes the characters transforming is breathtaking. You get amazing tales of sadness and sorrow from some of the Sun's experiences, with eternal happiness and love from Philemon and Baucis or with both sadness and happiness with Orpheus and Eurydice.
This book consists of 15 volumes in which Ovid links many Greek myths together through their shared involvement with some form of transformation and arranges them around topics. The brilliance with which he lets myths flow into one another can’t be denied. However, although the stories are great and well written, they do have a repetitive quality to them. Therefore, I put this book down for a while and decided to read only one volume a week. This way, I enjoyed it more.