Orpheus

by Charles Mikolaycak

A retelling of the tragic myth of Orpheus and his eternal love for the doomed Eurydice.

Genres: Picture Books, Mythology, Classics

27 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1992

Reviews

[Caterina Fake · Rating 5 out of 5]

An illustrated book, maybe even a childrens' book. I was sick of the "baby penguins playing with mommy" genre of children's books and wanted to share some real books of real stories that have real meaning for real children, and found this in the used book store. Blood, nudity, hell -- this was just the ticket! And Orpheus, who sings songs to comfort the tormented in hell. ‘Mommy mommy can you read me the bleeding man one again?’ ‘Sure! OK!’

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taken from the Greco-Roman tradition, this beautiful picture book relates the tragic story of Orpheus, a mortal who attempts to win his beloved wife Eurydice back from the dead, using the extraordinary power of his voice and lyre.

It is always fascinating to witness the adaptation of classical Greek and Roman mythology, so full of sexuality and disturbing violence, for the modern childhood reader. Mikolaycak is to be commended for retaining some more disquieting elements, as at the end of this book, when the crowd beats Orpheus to death for his refusal to play for them. Some latter parts of the myth, in which Orpheus is credited with establishing the institution of pederasty, are (understandably) omitted.

Mikolaycak, an artist of great power, has crafted a beautiful book with Orpheus. I thought that it was a bold move to have partial nudity in the illustrations, as most children's books with a classical theme make heavy use of strategically-placed "drapery." Another point of interest was the use of selected lyrics from Monteverdi's opera L'Orfeo in the text.

Although I approve of this picture book from both an artistic and mythological-folkloric perspective, I think that parents might want to be aware of its more disturbing elements, as enumerated above. This might not be a book to read to very young children...

[Marquise · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a story, it's a rather straight and simple retelling of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. As an artbook, it's one of the most gorgeous I've had the pleasure to read. Mikolaycak's style is really superb, and always offers something. For this book, he's gone for a slightly different and more "nude" style that recalls a bit the style adorning the amphorae and pottery surviving from Ancient Greece.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely gorgeous retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, with amazing nude illustrations by the author. Even the end papers are gorgeous. This book was found in the Juvenile section, though I think it would be better suited for young adults and older. Not only for the artistic nudes but for the stoning at the end, and also for the text and poetry inside. I liked the author's note at the end about the different versions of Orpheus, and things others have written about the subject matter (operas, poems, ballet, plays, films, and paintings). There is also a bibliography and discography.

[Apostate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated version of one of the most moving of Greek myths. Warning prudes - there is (exquisite) nudity on every page, but everything is tastefully done & strategically covered.

[Mary Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly exquisite. By the last page, I found myself uncomfortably arranged on the floor of the used bookstore, weeping openly.

[reveurdart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great retelling of the Orpheus myth. The illustrations are ideal for this story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have rated this five stars because of the exquisite artwork of Charles Mikolaycak. This is the must-read version of the legend of Orpheus and Eurydice and I sorely wish I'd kept my copy instead of donating it to the school library. I'd borrowed it from the local library and then searched for my own copy. It's hard to find because it's long out of print but worth the search.