Metamorphoses (Barnes & Noble Classics Series)

Incredibly accessible translation

I have trouble with the 'endless poem' format used in so many classic translations. This is much much better. Miller's prose is FANTASTIC. I found myself going back over the text numerous times from being so impressed. Not to mention the timeless beauty of Ovid's mythology.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

No Happy Endings.

Publius Ovidius Naso was born in 43 B.C and died in 18 A.D.
He was banished for unknown reasons to Tomi, a barren place near the coast of the Black Sea. A few scholars believe that this was a literary hoax created by Ovid himself. It would enable him to write the 'Tristia' and 'Letters From The Black Sea'.
'Metamorphoses' is his main achievement. It contains 250 stories from the Greek Mythology and they all have in common that the principal character changes into another form. Most of the time they turn into an animal or a tree but also in a river, a constellation of stars, a rock or a flower and other pleasant surprises.

If you read this book you won't find many happy endings. The ancient Greeks didn't know the meaning of that expression.
It's not an easy read but if you persist it will be a rewarding literary experience.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Amazing translation.

One of the most beautiful pieces of literature ever written, in my opinion. This translation was perfect, fluid, and what I believe to be easy for all to fall in love with.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

( un ) pleasant surprises and no happy endings.

Publius Ovidius Naso was born in 43 B.C and died in 18 A.D. He was banished for unknown reasons to Tomi, a barren place near the coast of the Black Sea. A few scholars believe that this was a literary hoax created by Ovid himself. It would enable him to write the 'Tristia' and 'Letters From The Black Sea'. 'Metamorphoses' is his main achievement. It contains 250 stories from the Greek Mythology and they all have in common that the principal character changes into another form. Most of the time they turn into an animal or a tree but also in a river, a constellation of stars, a rock or a flower and other pleasant surprises. If you read this book you won't find many happy endings. The ancient Greeks didn't know the meaning of that expression. It's not an easy read but if you persist it will be a rewarding literary experience

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Don't rely on what B & N has put here!

Barnes and Noble puts the same review and description on most of the translations of Ovid's Metamorphoses. I only just got my copy of this book so I won't rank it but please do not rely on Barnes and Noble's review and commentary.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Question?

The translation of the book is actually not that bad of a translation, but why is the ebook slightly different from the regular text - cover included?

the original mythology

Ovid wrote this when people still believed in the stories of the gods. Whether its was good story telling or the true beliefs this is a book to add to your collection. The writing is a little different. It is concidered poetry but in this particular barnes and noble classic it is written more like a novel. I say definetly worth the reading.

Wonderful classical myths interconnected.

A friend recommended this book and though the stories are sad they are also short. I do not enjoy them as before-sleeping reading. The notes at the end of the book are good because they explain where Ovid takes liberties and is creative.

I love Ovid

It was that i came to hear of Ovid thru Stanely Kubrick's film 'Eyes wide shut':his name is dropped in the opening Christams party scene by a man who's trying to put the moves on a woman. Forget that anyways:I wondered who he was, i found out he was a writer and i wanted to read something by him, someone told me that i should start with 'The Metamorphoses'. They were correct. It's a wonderful book, most of the myth i am already aware of. Ovid's words and storytelling ability are a truly great thing, there is so much heart in this book. I think it is an eternal classic!!

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