The MetamorphosesThe Metamorphoses
Score Classic
What it's about
A Roman poem from about the year 8, telling more than two hundred myths of transformation, from the creation of the world to Julius Caesar becoming a star. Daphne turns into a laurel to escape Apollo, Narcissus falls in love with his reflection, Icarus flies too close to the sun, Arachne becomes a spider, and Orpheus goes down to the underworld for his wife.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Bokklubben list of the 100 greatest books and has inspired artists and writers, from Shakespeare to today, more than almost any other book. It's playful, sensual and cruel.
You'll love it if you liked
The Iliad
The Master and Margarita
Memoirs of HadrianGood to know
It's a long poem, so a good modern translation matters. The gods often commit sexual violence. You can read stories individually.
By the numbers
- Readers64 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics55 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
If you like this, read next
East of Eden
War and Peace
Augustus
Beloved
The Souls of Black Folk
The IdiotExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Metamorphoses worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Bokklubben list of the 100 greatest books and has inspired artists and writers, from Shakespeare to today, more than almost any other book. It ranks #874 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 74.2 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Metamorphoses about?
A Roman poem from about the year 8, telling more than two hundred myths of transformation, from the creation of the world to Julius Caesar becoming a star. Daphne turns into a laurel to escape Apollo, Narcissus falls in love with his reflection, Icarus flies too close to the sun, Arachne becomes a spider, and Orpheus goes down to the underworld for his wife.
How long does it take to read The Metamorphoses?
About 11 hours (448 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Metamorphoses?
If you liked it, try The Iliad by Homer, The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov or Memoirs of Hadrian by Marguerite Yourcenar.