Metamorphoses

Penguin Classics

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Metamorphoses

By: Ovid, David Raeburn - translator, Denis Feeney

Narrated by: Martin Jarvis, John Sackville, Maya Saroya, David Raeburn

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

This Penguin Classic is performed by award-winning voice actor Martin Jarvis OBE, as well as John Sackville, Maya Saroya and the translator of this edition, David Raeburn. This definitive recording includes an Introduction by Denis Feeney.

Ovid's sensuous and witty poetry brings together a dazzling array of mythological tales, ingeniously linked by the idea of transformation - often as a result of love or lust - where men and women find themselves magically changed into new and sometimes extraordinary beings. Beginning with the creation of the world and ending with the deification of Augustus, Ovid interweaves many of the best-known myths and legends of Ancient Greece and Rome, including Daedalus and Icarus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Pygmalion, Perseus and Andromeda, and the fall of Troy. Erudite but light-hearted, dramatic yet playful, the Metamorphoses has influenced writers and artists throughout the centuries from Shakespeare and Titian to Picasso and Ted Hughes.

Ancient, Classical & Medieval Literature

Classics

Epic

Poetry

Themes & Styles

Ancient History

Ancient Greece

Heartfelt

Witty

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Most relevant

From the translator's notes you are made aware that this book is a masterpiece which rewards detailed study to fully appreciate it's subtleties and playfullness and variety on the theme of changes.
So, in one listening, I know that I cannot give a fully justifiable review but netherless:
1. Ovid's knowledge of myth and legend is vast and the number of tales he gives are quite overwhelming. The tone of the different narratives varies greatly and I seem to detect a real sense of humour within many, e.g. the battle of the Lapiths and Centaurs (gory to!). Others playfully erotic and some tender and moving e.g. Philemon and Baucis (Such a beautiful story with gentle humour).
I'm sure one could spend a LOT of time exploring its structural links and contrasts, if you so wish!
2. Performance- I felt that the two male narrators were excellent, one capturing the stern drama of various intense moments or raised voices, particularly the gods; while the other's quiter delivery seemed ideal for scenes where events were developing quitely- he gave a sense of impishness to the proceedings. I'm afraid that some of the female narrator's readings did not impress me so much as they sounded like readings to young children. I think, like all audio books, it's a matter of personal taste. Others would disagree and we would all be right.