Kalliope’s Comments (group member since Aug 28, 2018)

Kalliope’s comments from the Ovid's Metamorphoses and Further Metamorphoses group.

Iset wrote: "Wait, so are we starting discussion already or waiting until 5th November?"

The read officially begins on November 5th.

Lark wrote: "

I happened to be reading the Ted Hughes version of Ovid when I got the invitation. This version is so lovely. But I've never read Ovid to READ OVID as my goal, ..."

Thank you for this insight, Lark.

I think it was the Hughes book that led to the creation of this group...

On my side I have not thought much, yet, about the way books that tackle metamorphosis usually don't dwell on the reaction of the subject... but Kafka's book could be an example on one that does - to a certain extent. I read it long ago, though.

Hanneke wrote: "Kalliope, this is just to tell that I will not be able to start on the first designated date of November 5, solely because I am still holidaying (in Spain) and have to wait till I am back in Amster..."

Don't worry, Hanneke... As we are giving plenty of time for each Book, you will be able to catch up easily once you are back and have purchased your copy. I look forward to seeing you around in the discussions then.

Quiver wrote: "Kalliope wrote: "Quiver wrote: "I'm not proposing we swamp the chats with irrelevant details, but I personally find that the occasional amusing/differing account even of a minor character enhances ..."


When we start the Ovid read, on the first mention of Leda you could expand on this and suggest further reading, and further appropriations of any of the elements/myths.

'Background and Context' is to focus more on Ovid himself....

Quiver wrote: "I'm not proposing we swamp the chats with irrelevant details, but I personally find that the occasional amusing/differing account even of a minor character enhances familiarity and therefore helps a text that's otherwise full of names seem less foreign."
"

I would say that yes, if it draws one's attention, certainly. The discussion itself will determine whether it is irrelevant or not, but to me considering other sources for any given myth is interesting.. And Leda in painting at least is a major theme.

Ted wrote: "I tried reading this in a group read 2-3 years ago but eventually dropped out. I'm willing to give it another go, particularly at the very slow pace envisioned - and especially since I'd already de..."

Welcome, Ted. I think it was when that group was created that I bought my copy, but did not read it then either... too busy with other books... but this time it is a priority. And yes, the slow read and the branching out will make it more 'sticky'.

Vit wrote: "Thank you, Kalliope. I'm so sorry, somehow I missed the date. Now I fall silent."

We had not put it in the title of the thread, partly because we have not assigned dates for the subsequent Books.

I had included the date in the invitation, but that could be easily missed.

Czarny wrote: "Kalliope, could you tell me if you are same Kalliope who is the chief of Muses presides over eloquence and epic poetry or a different person? If you are same Kalliope as Ovid's Kalliope you will ha..."

Haha... No, I am the 'little silly spirally kalliope' who has The True Kalliope as her muse...

Vit,

Thank you for the comments but we may not have made it clear that we are starting the discussion on November 5th. We wanted prospective members to have some time to think about it, finish other reads, and get their chosen copy of the Met.

I will come back to your comments when we begin the actual read.

Sorry for not having made this more clear.

Hello, Fionnuala, Vit, Lyn, Jasmine, Ilse and also Netta (you must have received two invitations, from RC and myself). I am very glad you joined the group.

As Ilse says, the idea came up in a discussion of Roger's review. I have been wanting to read this book for years, and in a previous GR discussion I got a recommendation of the translation to follow (I posted it in the Translations folder).. but I am toying with the idea of adding the Penguin edition, the one recommended by RC.

This seem such an important work, on itself, and then for subsequent literature and then the other arts, that I am rather ashamed that I have not read it before...

I am therefore very excited about this group and look forward to the discussion with you all.

Iset wrote: "Hi everyone. I was invited here by Roman Clodia. Like Roger, I read at least some of the books at school - though I'm happy to do a re-read, as it was long enough ago that I could use a refresher.
..."

Welcome, Iset, and nice to meet you. With your background I am sure you will be a great contributor.

Our first comments above expand on the overall interest of this group, but this is the 'relaxed' lounge in which anybody ought to feel free to post any more casual comment, aside to the actual discussions.

Discussion of Third Book.

Discussion of Fourth Book.

Discussion of Fifth Book.

Discussion of Sixth Book.

Discussion of Seventh Book.

Discussion of Eight Book.

Discussion of the Ninth Book.

Discussion of the Tenth Book.