What this project is about. This one is from Book 8 How long it took to read this (aloud): 4 mins 34s What it’s “about”: Theseus can’t get to Athens - roads washed out, so accepts the hospitality of Achelous the louse. Theseus asks about some islands and Achelous casually admits to some sex crimes. ... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #050/111: “Althaea and Meleager”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 8. How long it took to read this (aloud): 7 mins 16s What it’s “about”: Althaea is mildly annoyed at her son Meleagar because he went and slaughtered some of his uncles (her brothers) at the end of the hog hunt. She dithers over whether... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #049/111: “Meleager and the Boar”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 8. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fresco_of_Atalanta_and_Meleager_resting_after_the_successful_Calydonian_Boar_hunt.jpg How long it took to read this (aloud): 12 mins 49s What it’s “about”: “We’re going on a Boar Hunt…” (And I am Team Boar, obvs). Spoiler - The poor boar eventually cops it (where was Diana?) and then there is some gruesome... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #048/111: “Daedalus and Icarus”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 8. How long it took to read this (aloud): 7 mins 50s What it’s “about”: Sons not listening to their dads (an ongoing theme - young men, young and dumb and full of come. It’s the human condition). Words I didn’t know: xx Quotable quotes:... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #047/111: “Minos, Nisus and Scylla”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 8. How long it took to read this (aloud): 10 mins 25 What it’s “about”: King Nisus could have spared everyone a lot of trouble if he’d just given his daughter a vibrator… I mean, a LOT of trouble. Words I didn’t know: xx Quotable... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #046/111: “Cephalus and Procris”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 7. How long it took to read this (aloud): 14 mins 6s What it’s “about”: The gift of a javelin that cannot miss is, in fact, a dangerous gift! Also, she should have kicked his ass to the kerb first time round. “When someone shows... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #045/111: “The Myrmidons” (soldier ants!!)
What this project is about. This one is from Book 7. How long it took to read this (aloud): 3 mins 28s What it’s “about”: The king dreams of having ants as soldiers and, well,careful what you wish for!! Words I didn’t know: none Quotable quotes: And there we noted that a trail of ants, ... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #044/111: “Minos Wars against Aegeus”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 7. How long it took to read this (aloud): 10 mins 46s What it’s “about”: Minos is looking for allies in his war. He convinces a king to side with him. There is a plague. An astonishing plague. ‘Beautiful’ stuff Words I didn’t know: xx... Continue Reading →
Thirsty hedgehogs and heartbreak in the Anthropocene/Fafocene
I am in the library. There is someone from a wildlife charity doing a presentation - with live creatures - to a bunch of young boys and girls their mothers, in attendance. We have, over the last few generations, of course, rendered it harder and harder for young people to have any connection with "Nature".... Continue Reading →
Ovid’s Metamorphoses #043/111: “Jason and Medea”
What this project is about. This one is from Book 7. How long it took to read this (aloud):33 mins 7s What it’s “about”: Medea gets the horn for Jason in the worst possible way, helps him nick the Golden Fleece. Then tries to revive his dad from old age. It’s all pretty thankless -... Continue Reading →