Book description
Winner of the 2023 Academy of American Poets Harold Morton Landon Translation Award The first female translator of the epic into English in over sixty years, Stephanie McCarter addresses accuracy in translation and its representation of women, gendered dynamics of power, and sexual violence in Ovid's classic. A Penguin Classic Ovid's Metamorphoses is an epic poem, but one that upturns almost every convention. There is no main hero, no central conflict, and no sustained objective. What it is about (power, defiance, art, love, abuse, grief, rape, war, beauty, and so on) is as changeable as the beings that inhabit its pages. The sustained thread is power and how it transforms us, both those of us who have it and those of us who do not. For those who are brutalized and traumatized, transformation is often the outward manifestation of their trauma. A beautiful virgin is caught in the gaze of someone more powerful who rapes or tries to rape them, and they ultimately are turned into a tree or a lake or a stone or a bird. The victim's objectification is clear: They are first a visual object, then a sexual object, and finally simply an object. Around 50 of the epic's tales involve rape or attempted rape of women. Past translations have obscured or mitigated Ovid's language so that rape appears to be consensual sex. Through her translation, McCarter considers the responsibility of handling sexual and social dynamics. Then why continue to read Ovid? McCarter proposes Ovid should be read because he gives us stories through which we can better explore ourselves and our world, and he illuminates problems that humans have been grappling with for millennia. Careful translation of rape and the body allows readers to see Ovid's nuances clearly and to better appreciate how ideas about sexuality, beauty, and gender are constructed over time. This is especially important since so many of our own ideas about these phenomena are themselves undergoing rapid metamorphosis, and Ovid can help us see and understand this progression. The Metamorphoses holds up a kaleidoscopic lens to the modern world, one that offers us the opportunity to reflect on contemporary discussions about gender, sexuality, race, violence, art, and identity.
About the Author
Ovid (43 BC-AD 17) was born in central Italy. He was sent to Rome where he realised that his talent lay with poetry rather than with politics. His first published work was Amores, a collection of short love poems. He was expelled in A.D. 8 by Emperor Augustus for an unknown reason and went to Tomis on the Black Sea, where he died. Stephanie McCarter is Professor of Classical Literature at the University of the South in Sewanee. She has published translated work on Horace and has written for Sewanee Review, Eidolon, Electric Literature and The Millions.
Black Mustard
ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch has streamlined my multitasking. π Elevating everyday moments β this app adds an extra layer of magic to every aspect of my day. πβ¨ Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fantastic feature. It adds a personal touch.
Blink
Audiobooks on this app have made my daily walks a time of reflection and inspiration. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design and user-friendly interface.
CuriousCoder
ListenBook's features are a bookworm's dream come true β from chapters to bookmarks, it's got everything. Audiobooks on this app have turned my travels into explorations of new narratives. This app's ease of use has made reading more accessible and enjoyable than ever before. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. It was fine. The narrator did an adequate job but nothing about the performance particularly stood out to me. Got me through my commute though.
Fire Fish
With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories. π§ββοΈ Finding zen through storytelling β this app makes meditation even more calming. π§ββοΈπ§ Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! Navigating through chapters is a breeze. I can easily jump to the parts I want to listen to.
Blackfire
The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
CyberScribe
I'm addicted to this app's ability to turn mundane moments into opportunities for intellectual growth. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Tweety Bun Bun
This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a creative feature. It allows for a unique and personalized experience.
Bom Crossed
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way β while cooking, working out, or even gardening. This app has reignited my love for literature in the most delightful way. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a breeze thanks to ListenBook Pro's AirDrop and sharing options. Spread the joy of a good story!
Achilles Mountain
Effortlessly immersing in stories β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. I'm blown away by the silky-smooth playback, even for high-quality formats like FLAC. Top-notch performance! ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted.
Mr. Thanksgiving
As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ Iβve been using ListenBook for months, and itβs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnβt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Papa Smurf
I appreciate how ListenBook offers various methods for downloading audio β it caters to different preferences. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings.
Bad Beret
Audiobooks anytime, anywhere β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. No more fussing with synchronization β this app just gets it done! The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing. Binaural audio processing is amazing. Reduced my listening fatigue significantly.
Electric Saturn
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in β all thanks to this app. Bookmarks are a lifesaver for audiobook lovers. They help me keep track of important moments. My daily workouts are more enjoyable now, thanks to seamless integration with Apple Watch.
Slinger
I'm amazed at how this app has expanded my reading horizons. I'm amazed by the extensive statistics tracking. It's fascinating to see my listening habits.
Granola Dove
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made multitasking with audio content a breeze. ListenBook's statistics feature is eye-opening. I had no idea how much time I spent immersed in audiobooks until I started using it. The sleek and user-friendly interface makes navigating the app a breeze. It's a pleasure to use. AirDrop sharing makes it easy to share audiobooks with friends.
Dez Bonbon
The narrator's voice in some audiobooks is so soothing, it's like a spa for the ears. ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. This app's intuitive features and easy navigation make it a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app!
Miss Mustard
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences β a thoughtful feature. ListenBook has become my go-to audiobook app. It's dependable, user-friendly, and enhances every listening session.
Old Regret
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and intuitive controls make it a joy to navigate through my audiobooks. This app's convenience has made my downtime more rewarding and enriching. Bookmarks are a fantastic tool for keeping track of important moments. They're a game-changer. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you! I'm so glad I chose the audiobook version! The narrator added layers of meaning I might have missed reading silently. Their interpretation of the material felt thoughtful and authentic. The recording was technically perfect - no reverb, no peaking, just clean, pleasant audio.
Sherm
Thank you for making my reading goals more achievable and enjoyable. The interface is clean and intuitive. I was up and running in seconds.
West Warrior
I'm blown away by how this app has revolutionized my reading experience. The seamless integration with CarPlay adds convenience and entertainment during my daily commutes. The app's ability to handle various audio formats is impressive. No more file conversions! This app is perfect for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is sleek and modern, and the playback controls are super responsive. I also appreciate the cloud integration, which lets me access my books from anywhere. Great work!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience