Tab Article

ratings: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Genre: Classical Poetry / Epistolary Poetry / Mythology

Book Review:
Imagine reading the private letters of some of the most famous women in mythology—Penelope waiting for Odysseus, Dido abandoned by Aeneas, Medea betrayed by Jason. That's the brilliant, heartbreaking concept behind Ovid's ''Heroides.'' Written two thousand years ago, these poems feel startlingly modern. Ovid gives voice to these women, letting them express their love, their rage, their despair, and their longing with an emotional intensity that still resonates today. It's a fascinating look at love and loss from a female perspective, written by a man who clearly understood the human heart. Some of the letters are incredibly moving, while others are sharp and accusatory. This Penguin Classics translation by Harold Isbell captures the poetic beauty and the emotional range of the originals. If you love mythology, classical literature, or simply great poetry, this is a unique and rewarding read.