Product Description

The modern, unacademic idiom of A.D. Melville's translation opens the way to a fresh understanding of Ovid's unique and elusive vision of reality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #239837 in Books
• Published on: 1998-05-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

Review
"Notes are very helpful indeed."--L. Cahoon, Gettysburg College
"Of the English translations now available, Melville's new version is the only that reproduces the grace, speed, and nervous tension of Ovid's original. It is a rare achievement."--Richard P. Martin, Princeton University
"An excellent translation, elegant and accurate."--Simone Turbeville, University of Texas, Arlington
"Melville has chosen blank verse, pleasantly varied by rhymed couplets to round off each sequence. His narrative is taut...his vocabulary vivid and flexible, his speeches pungent or powerful, and his command of wit a delight."--Classical Review
"If Ovid wanted to read himself in English, he should certainly be happy with Melville's translation, which eloquently captures a great deal of his urbanity, wit, and sentiment in an expressive blank verse that is itself a bit of a wonder."--Thomas Clayton, Chairman, University of Minnesota
"The translation is readable and tells the tales with charm, and the notes are truly excellent."--Carol R. Hershenson, Xavier University
"Excellent poetic rendition, at reasonable price. Thank you. I shall order a whole library of Oxford World's Classics."--Dr. Barbara Huval, Lamar University
"Reads compellingly--as Ovid should. Students enjoy [this work] greatly."--Ann Lauinger, Sarah Lawrence College
"I like this translation very much. I used it this semester and will continue to use it."--Gregory M. Malion, University of New Hampshire
"I shall regularly adopt this edition to use in my mythology class. It is the best paperback edition around: readable translations, episodes have titles, glossary and original line numbers on top ofpage."--Cliff Brockman, St. John Fisher College

Customer Reviews

More enjoyable than you would expect
This is an enjoyable translation of some of Ovid's finest work. Infinitely easier than going through the Latin yourself this is a fascinating read for anyone. With classics such as the story of Orpheus and Eurydice it is a must have for those interested in the ancient myths.

Melville's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses
If you are brave enough or mug enough to go for the Dryden translation of Ovid, good luck to you. For the academically lazier or more experienced, the OUP translation by Melville is a real treat. A light touch, playful in places, enjoyable throughout - I am not a classicist or a great fan of poetry but I found I couldn't put it down.

hmm...
Metamorphososes is on my reading list for a University module. I was really disappionted with this edition as although it is an ancient text, I expected a modern translation, which I didn't get. I spent more time trying to decipher the language than absorbing the story!