Arachne Speaks [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Blair Drawson (Author), Kate Hovey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2001

Orb weavers!
Weavers of tangled nets!
All eight-legged ones...
Cast to the four winds
my story's thread.

Arachne, classical literature's most famous weaver exhorts her spider minions in this epic adaptation of a famous Greek myth.

The talented, rebellious teenage Arachne here tells her own story in unforgettable words. She speaks of her impoverished childhood and lonely, steadfast pursuit of excellence in a bold, passionate voice. Her unshakable belief in herself and persistent questioning of divine authority lead to a dramatic confrontation with the goddess Athena, a fateful weaving contest, and an unexpected transformation.

Poet Kate Hovey's lyrical verse and Blair Drawson's stunning artwork together create a timeless rendering of the ancient struggle between the headstrong Arachne and the powerful Athena.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This oversize volume addresses a narrow audienceDsophisticated and skilled adolescent readers who remain open to picture booksDbut it offers those readers profound satisfaction. Debut author Hovey reworks the myth of Arachne in elegant rhymed verse, writing mostly in Arachne's voice but also in the voice of Athena. Relegating explanatory information to an appendix, the poet presumes a certain familiarity with the myth: Athena, the patron goddess of weaving, punishes Arachne for her hubristic pride in her weaving skills by turning her into a spider. Arachne speaks to her spider descendants in consistently dramatic, imagistic verse. She commands them: "Cast to the four winds/ my story's threadD/ let truth spread/ like gossamer from your abdomens/ across the fields of time!" Distinctly modern in its sympathy for Arachne's pride in her self-taught achievements and for her lack of respect for the gods and goddesses, this version will likely resonate with adolescents. Drawson's (Flying Dimitri) art, not particularly well-represented in the off-putting cover illustration, reconciles Hovey's contemporary interpretation of a classical subject with a visual approach that quotes classical motifs but uses stylish perspectives and emphasizesDif not exaggeratesDthe figures' emotions. The result is a bit eerie and, sometimes, surreal, as in a view of Arachne as a spider, with eight human limbs attached to a face that appears human but for its eight eyes. Together, art and text successfully challenge the boundaries of myth, stimulating readers to explore anew its proven terrains. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-This faithful, lyrical retelling of a Greek myth is one that Ovid would admire. Hovey's poetic tale tells the story of Athena, who causes a cruel metamorphosis when angered by the weaver Arachne. The text, which incorporates the voices of both women, flows beautifully and will enliven the imaginations of the children who hear or read it, but will be best appreciated by those who already know the story. The brilliant illustrations, strong in golds and blues, perfectly embody Arachne's anger and Athena's wrath. Although the Library of Congress has cataloged this as poetry, some collections may want to add it to their mythology shelves.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 40 pages
• ISBN-10: 0689829019
• ASIN: B0000WZWRO
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,211,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bring Arachne back Alive!, January 20, 2006

By 

Gwynne C. Spencer (Mancos, Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Arachne Speaks (Hardcover)

This retelling of the myth would be a great basis for kids to use in creative dramatics. The rivalry, anger, and seething resentment in the text feels authentic, and would fuel good storytelling with two actors--Athena and Arachne--and a minimal amount of dialog to memorize. I'd recommend it for use in Language Arts for middle school and high school. This is not a "cutesy" version for little kids, but full of the defiant voice of Arachne and the vanity and arrogance of the gods as a counterpoint.