--- product_id: 52130579 title: "Metamorphoses: A New Verse Translation (Penguin Classics)" price: "SAR 96" currency: SAR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/52130579-metamorphoses-a-new-verse-translation-penguin-classics store_origin: SA region: Saudi Arabia --- # Faithful hexameter translation Same-day dispatch before noon No-quibble returns Metamorphoses: A New Verse Translation (Penguin Classics) **Price:** SAR 96 **Availability:** βœ… In Stock ## Summary > πŸ“– Unlock the epic transformations that shaped Western storytelling β€” don’t miss out on this literary masterpiece! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Metamorphoses: A New Verse Translation (Penguin Classics) - **How much does it cost?** SAR 96 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.sa](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/52130579-metamorphoses-a-new-verse-translation-penguin-classics) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - β€’ **Effortless Returns:** No quibbles returns policy ensures risk-free purchase for the discerning reader. - β€’ **Comprehensive Context:** Includes introduction, historical map, character index, and insightful translator notes for deeper immersion. - β€’ **Swift Delivery, Guaranteed:** Order before noon and get your copy dispatched the same day with secure packaging. - β€’ **Timeless Mythology, Modern Flow:** David Raeburn’s hexameter verse captures Ovid’s original rhythm with fresh accessibility. - β€’ **Cultural Icon in Your Collection:** A Penguin Classic ranked top 10 in Love Poetry and praised for its vivid, sensuous storytelling. ## Overview Metamorphoses: A New Verse Translation by David Raeburn is a Penguin Classic that revitalizes Ovid’s legendary poem through a faithful hexameter translation. This edition offers same-day dispatch, secure packaging, and a no-quibble return policy. It includes rich supplementary materials like an introduction by Denis Feeney, a historical map, and a character index, making it an essential, accessible read for lovers of mythology, poetry, and classical literature. ## Description 'Still remarkably vivid. It is easier to read this for pure pleasure than just about any other ancient text' Nicholas Lezard, Guardian Ovid's sensuous and witty poem begins with the creation of the world and brings together a dazzling array of mythological tales, ingeniously linked by the idea of transformation - often as a result of love or lust - where men and women find themselves magically changed into extraordinary new beings. Including the well-known stories of Daedalus and Icarus, Pyramus and Thisbe, Pygmalion, Perseus and Andromeda, and the fall of Troy, the Metamorphoses has influenced writers and artists from Shakespeare and Chaucer to Picasso and Ted Hughes. This translation by David Raeburn is in hexameter verse, which brilliantly captures the energy and spontaneity of the original. Translated by DAVID RAEBURN with an Introduction by DENIS FEENEY Review: Carnal delights - Ovid looked at the vast collection of Greco and Roman myths and understood the unifying factor to be metamorphosis. He therefore took on the monumental task of linking them together in one long continuous poem. The results are truly monumental. I think Penguin editions can sometimes linger a little too much on the intellectual understanding of classics but I enjoyed and continue to enjoy this edition. A chronology of Ovid's life and works is included before the text as well as an introduction by Denis Feeney which is interesting and comprehensive whilst not being terribly preachy on how 'Metamorphoses' should be experienced. There is a page dedicated to further books of interest. The translator David Raeburn also writes a short note on his intentions, the format of the original and his new version, which I also found very interesting. The fifteen books of the 'Metamorphoses' follows. On the first reading I dutifully read the summaries at the beginning of each book for a while, but they add very little, instead they mainly catalogue what happens in each segment before it does, which can ruin it a bit. Still they are nice to read after as they can add to your understanding. I found the notes on background information, points of detail and cross references incredibly useful and fascinating. The index was also useful to keep track of all the characters and to be used as a guide as it tells you where each character appears in the text so you can flick to the right section. An historical map of the world Ovid lived in is also included. Raeburn chose to compose the text in a metre which is closer to Ovid's dactylic hexameter - which in turns references the epic style of Homer and Virgil - as opposed to the traditional English metre for narrative poetry, which is iambic pentameter. He writes in his note that he has done this to reflect the relaxed flow of Ovid's narrative. Because of this I did find the rhythm a little tricky to pick up at first but after a few pages I had become immersed in the flow of the prose and found that the text is actually very easy to understand. Although Raeburn stresses how faithfully he has tried to reflect the original format and flavour (his 11,870 is very close to the originals 11,995) he also makes it clear that this is not a literal version of the original. To help with clarity and as he was working within the limits of idiomatic English he has altered the arrangement of some of the lines and compressed and expanded some also. For this I am grateful as I am not a student looking for an English translation to study alongside the original Latin and want the translation I read to be accessible. He also mentions that he has tried to stick to one name for most of the characters, whereas Ovid used many, he has still employed some of the better known equivalents though for others, if he didn't do this I would have likely been rather lost. As it was I was still got a little turned around, with the many names of Jupiter for example. The poem itself begins before time and takes you on a strange and mesmerising journey that finishes in Ovid's then present. Every recognisable and many minor Greco-Roman myths has a place in the poem. Ovid was a devious fellow, the scope and arrangement of 'Metamorphoses' is amazing. This is not a traditional narrative, instead Ovid plays with structure and reader expectation. The stories are connected through associated themes and characters. The whole can also be divided into three sets of five books; the first third deals heavily with the exploits of the gods and this is possibly my favourite as their base motivations are fascinating, the next focuses on the heroes and then history. But these lines are blurred and you are always being surprised as Ovid throws yet another curve ball. Sometimes the major recurring element of transformation links the stories ingeniously and other times it's tacked on. But most noteworthy is how these transformations and transitions encompass an extraordinary range of human experience. Ovid's understanding of human motivations and readers perceptions coupled with a philosophical richness and psychological intensity is something that can be seen in every part of the poem. The reason 'Metamorphoses' is so gripping and effecting is the reason myths are in general. By dealing in base human motivations and epic reactions, the subsequent spark of recognition the reader experiences feels integral because it is. We are all fascinated by our own identity and a collective identity. Transformations and transitions are integral to myths and integral to our sense of identity. You can also take immense pleasure in the many different forms of metamorphoses, the huge array of characters and the intensity of the themes. Compulsion and sexual desire are strong forces that power the sometimes shocking violence and grotesque gore. No matter how many times I read it I am always entranced by the magic, impassioned by the soaring speeches, excited by the epic battles and hunt scenes, sickened by the violence, devious and often demented behaviour, which is evident in the many rape scenes and violence against man, women and children but at the same time I'm still amused by the diabolical sense of humour and wit. Ovid's epic could be seen as sensational, it was after all meant to entertain the masses with the excessive violence and erotic lusty dark edge. But there is also such intelligence to Ovid's understanding of the human psyche and the way he plays with every element, the cruel and horrific is also mixed with justice and love, corruption with honour, true heroism with petty vengeance. I love this as it feels integral and powerful, it challenges how I see narrative, structure and most importantly myself and others. Review: Best Classic - Bought for a Classical Studies degree for my daughter - I have my own copy - it is the best Roman interpretation of Greek mythology. The name sells it. ## Features - New - Mint Condition - Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon - Guaranteed packaging - No quibbles returns ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | 6,406 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) 10 in Love Poetry (Books) 24 in Regional & Cultural Poetry 34 in Classical, Early & Medieval Poetry | | Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,471 Reviews | ## Images ![Metamorphoses: A New Verse Translation (Penguin Classics) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91IoewhdENL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Carnal delights *by J***A on 31 March 2009* Ovid looked at the vast collection of Greco and Roman myths and understood the unifying factor to be metamorphosis. He therefore took on the monumental task of linking them together in one long continuous poem. The results are truly monumental. I think Penguin editions can sometimes linger a little too much on the intellectual understanding of classics but I enjoyed and continue to enjoy this edition. A chronology of Ovid's life and works is included before the text as well as an introduction by Denis Feeney which is interesting and comprehensive whilst not being terribly preachy on how 'Metamorphoses' should be experienced. There is a page dedicated to further books of interest. The translator David Raeburn also writes a short note on his intentions, the format of the original and his new version, which I also found very interesting. The fifteen books of the 'Metamorphoses' follows. On the first reading I dutifully read the summaries at the beginning of each book for a while, but they add very little, instead they mainly catalogue what happens in each segment before it does, which can ruin it a bit. Still they are nice to read after as they can add to your understanding. I found the notes on background information, points of detail and cross references incredibly useful and fascinating. The index was also useful to keep track of all the characters and to be used as a guide as it tells you where each character appears in the text so you can flick to the right section. An historical map of the world Ovid lived in is also included. Raeburn chose to compose the text in a metre which is closer to Ovid's dactylic hexameter - which in turns references the epic style of Homer and Virgil - as opposed to the traditional English metre for narrative poetry, which is iambic pentameter. He writes in his note that he has done this to reflect the relaxed flow of Ovid's narrative. Because of this I did find the rhythm a little tricky to pick up at first but after a few pages I had become immersed in the flow of the prose and found that the text is actually very easy to understand. Although Raeburn stresses how faithfully he has tried to reflect the original format and flavour (his 11,870 is very close to the originals 11,995) he also makes it clear that this is not a literal version of the original. To help with clarity and as he was working within the limits of idiomatic English he has altered the arrangement of some of the lines and compressed and expanded some also. For this I am grateful as I am not a student looking for an English translation to study alongside the original Latin and want the translation I read to be accessible. He also mentions that he has tried to stick to one name for most of the characters, whereas Ovid used many, he has still employed some of the better known equivalents though for others, if he didn't do this I would have likely been rather lost. As it was I was still got a little turned around, with the many names of Jupiter for example. The poem itself begins before time and takes you on a strange and mesmerising journey that finishes in Ovid's then present. Every recognisable and many minor Greco-Roman myths has a place in the poem. Ovid was a devious fellow, the scope and arrangement of 'Metamorphoses' is amazing. This is not a traditional narrative, instead Ovid plays with structure and reader expectation. The stories are connected through associated themes and characters. The whole can also be divided into three sets of five books; the first third deals heavily with the exploits of the gods and this is possibly my favourite as their base motivations are fascinating, the next focuses on the heroes and then history. But these lines are blurred and you are always being surprised as Ovid throws yet another curve ball. Sometimes the major recurring element of transformation links the stories ingeniously and other times it's tacked on. But most noteworthy is how these transformations and transitions encompass an extraordinary range of human experience. Ovid's understanding of human motivations and readers perceptions coupled with a philosophical richness and psychological intensity is something that can be seen in every part of the poem. The reason 'Metamorphoses' is so gripping and effecting is the reason myths are in general. By dealing in base human motivations and epic reactions, the subsequent spark of recognition the reader experiences feels integral because it is. We are all fascinated by our own identity and a collective identity. Transformations and transitions are integral to myths and integral to our sense of identity. You can also take immense pleasure in the many different forms of metamorphoses, the huge array of characters and the intensity of the themes. Compulsion and sexual desire are strong forces that power the sometimes shocking violence and grotesque gore. No matter how many times I read it I am always entranced by the magic, impassioned by the soaring speeches, excited by the epic battles and hunt scenes, sickened by the violence, devious and often demented behaviour, which is evident in the many rape scenes and violence against man, women and children but at the same time I'm still amused by the diabolical sense of humour and wit. Ovid's epic could be seen as sensational, it was after all meant to entertain the masses with the excessive violence and erotic lusty dark edge. But there is also such intelligence to Ovid's understanding of the human psyche and the way he plays with every element, the cruel and horrific is also mixed with justice and love, corruption with honour, true heroism with petty vengeance. I love this as it feels integral and powerful, it challenges how I see narrative, structure and most importantly myself and others. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best Classic *by K***E on 27 June 2026* Bought for a Classical Studies degree for my daughter - I have my own copy - it is the best Roman interpretation of Greek mythology. The name sells it. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Easy access to classic storytelling *by M***S on 21 October 2014* The best thing about this interpretation of Ovid's great work is its accessibility for readers who, like me, are keen to dip a toe into classical literature - be it Greek, Roman or to some extent both in the case of Metamorphoses - but are worried they lack the knowledge of the subject. A wealth of concise and informative footnotes are supplied throughout the book that explain backstories, context and associated characters. Readers who have already gleaned a solid foundation of the classics may find these notes intrusive and irritating; I found they were akin to having an expert tutor answering queries with clear examples. Metamorphoses is a long narrative split into several 'acts' or 'performances', each has a central theme of metamorphosis, usually of someone being changed to an animal, statue or God, depending on the greater Gods' mood or affiliation, as a way to punish or save them, again depending on the greater Gods' mood or affiliation. The author weaves tales of bravery, stupidity, greed, love and tragedy with satirical - at the time of writing - asides, the wit of which is also explained in the footnotes. A few of the tales will be familiar to those, like me, who had no more than a rudimentary knowledge of such literature. The siege of Troy, Hercules, King Midas, Jason and the Argonauts all make an appearance. The character description is so colourful and language so evocative that I found the picture they painted was as clear as a Hollywood film. In fact, Ovid could be accused of overplaying his commercial appeal with gratuitously gory scenes and sexed-up content. Think less Metamorphoses and more Game of Thrones. The stories within the book contain high drama. Ovid begs the reader to asks questions of the Gods and mortal heroes, who can appear at times masterful, compassionate and awe-inspiring. Other passages show families being punished, wronged or killed by arrogant, brutal bullies. Every page encourages the reader on. Reading Metamorphoses in ebook format was a revelation as the crucial footnotes are so accessible - so much easier than a repeated thumbing of pages back and forth. For a book around 2,000 year's old Ovid's masterpiece has much to offer modern-day readers. ## Frequently Bought Together - Metamorphoses (Penguin Classics) - The Aeneid (Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition) - The Odyssey --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - πŸ›’ **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** β€” Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** β€” Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - πŸ’° **No Hidden Fees** β€” All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - πŸ”„ **15-Day Free Returns** β€” Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - πŸ”’ **Secure Payments** β€” Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** β€” Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/52130579-metamorphoses-a-new-verse-translation-penguin-classics](https://www.desertcart.com.sa/products/52130579-metamorphoses-a-new-verse-translation-penguin-classics) --- *Product available on Desertcart Saudi Arabia* *Store origin: SA* *Last updated: 2026-09-13*