Shapeshifters Tales from Ovid's Metamorphoses

Gr 6-9-This volume renders some of the more familiar of Ovid's tales into a form accessible to today's readers. Many of the stories demonstrate the folly of acting against the gods as the shapeshifting of the title is most often a divine punishment for overly proud mortals. Jove and his philandering also feature prominently as do the story of Dis and Persephone and several tales of Daedalus. Mitchell tells many of these myths in prose, others in various poetic forms, some more successful than others. The occasional lapses into present-day vernacular are surprising but don't ruin the overall mood. Lee, most famous for his depictions of Tolkein's works, does superb work here. His images of gods, demigods, mortals, and the natural world surround the text and, in a few instances, cover entire pages, giving life to the words. True to the stories, he does paint a bare-breasted nymph here and there. Mitchell doesn't hesitate, either, to include some of the more gruesome tales, such as that of Erysichthon, a king cursed by Ceres who eventually ate himself. This gorgeous retelling should satisfy young people looking for tales from classical mythology.-Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

THE BLACK CLOUDThere's a rocky waterfall in ThessalyShowing rainbows in its sprayAnd a pretty young woman called IoGoes strolling near the falls one dayWell, the great god Jove sees IoAnd begins his honey talking:“Sweet girl, step into this shady woodFor the sun's too hot to walk in.If you're scared of wolves or lionsI will shield you from all harm,For I'm the god of the thunderbolt -Don't run, girl! Take my arm!”But she's gone! Jove scratches his mighty head.How can he cure her fear?“I'll disguise myself as a harmless cloud -What an inspired idea!For a cloud can change to any old shapeWhich is useful when you're wooing;Wispy and white or heavy and black -Depending what it's doing.”The weather report says, 'Cloudy,'When Io walks out next day.Then a huge black cloud comes swooping downAnd envelops his pretty prey.Jove's wife Juno, looking down,Wonders why the sun's gone dim.She looks around Heaven for her husband -Not a sign of him.Juno thinks, “He's up to his tricks -That cloud's just another disguise…”So she glides down and blows away the cloudAnd there the great Jove lies.But Jove hears Juno comingAnd transmogrifies Io - POW!He changes the girl to a snow-white heifer,Still lovely, but just a cow.“Nice bit of beef,” says Juno.“What do you call that breed ?”“I call it Io”, says the god.“I grew her from a seed.”“Wonderful, darling,” says Juno.“Well, I think she's delicious.She can be my pet.” - Jove has to agreeOr his wife will be suspicious.So the goddess leads the heiferAway as her helpless prizeAnd for safety's sake puts her in the careOf Argus of the Hundred Eyes.Yes, one hundred eyes all around his head,All keeping a sharp look-out,(Though two at a time take a restful nap,Turn and turn about).Wherever he stands he can watch her, Even behind his back.He allows her to graze on sunny days,Ties her up when the sky turns black.She munches bitter herbs and liesOn the stony ground to dream.She drinks the chilly waterFrom a muddy little stream.She wants to appeal to Argus -Is there nothing he can do?But all of her eloquent speechesCome out as a plaintive moo. Excerpted from Shapeshifters: Tales from Ovid's Metamorphoses by Adrian Mitchell All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.