On Ovid's Metamorphoses by Gareth David Williams offers any reader with an interest in the work a multitude of ways into it. Whether gearing up for a first reading or revisiting it, this will make your journey a lot more enjoyable.

With the exception of a couple of the stories, it has been a long time, decades, since I have read the entire work. In addition to reading in translation, one of my undergrad professors, for an independent study course, had me translate several books. That gave me a whole new appreciation for the work.

So picking up this book by Williams both brought back some great memories and made me interested in rereading the entire work again. Rather than work through the entire Metamorphoses, we are treated to more detailed readings of a few of the stories that highlight ideas and themes that run throughout. But while there is a bit of historical contextualization, we also see how we can bring some of the lessons and insights into our contemporary lives.

Williams makes no excuses for the elements of the society in which Ovid wrote, but at the same time points out the ways in which there are indeed progressive ways to read and understand the work. The idea of change, whether through effort or fate, is looked at from many perspectives by Ovid and while this book doesn't try to be exhaustive it does try to prepare the reader to engage with the work in an active and personal manner.

Highly recommended for those who have already read Ovid. I think it would also be useful for those about to read it as well, as long as you don't let any of the more detailed sections inhibit your reading. Williams tries to guard against a prescriptive reading other than to insist it must be read actively.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley. ( )