Quiver - Stephanie Spinner

The Greek myth of Atalanta turned into a novel.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Stephanie Spinner
  • # of pages: 177
  • Publisher:Alfred A. Knopf
  • Original Publication Date: 11/06/2005
  • Genre: Fiction - Folklore
  • Paperback: $5.99
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 9-12
  • Read Aloud: 11
  • Read Alone: 11

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that there are clear sexual references here, a bit unusual for a book aimed at this age group, though hard to avoid in Greek mythology. There's also some violence (Atalanta kills two centaurs with a bow and arrows, shoots a boar, and forces those who lose races with her to die. A queen hangs herself). The book has a somewhat casual attitude toward death, also typical in myth.

Families can talk about Atalanta's dilemma (she vows to stay chaste, yet is forced to marry) and how it could be solved without resorting to killing the suitors. Also, families may want to examine Atalanta's character: How is she unusual? Why does she feel she has to be better than the men in doing typically male tasks, like hunting? Parents can also discuss the Greek attitude toward death, exemplified in the practice of exposing newborns.

Message

Social Behavior:

Atlanta is a strong young woman.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Atalanta and others drink wine.

Violence

References to centaurs raping women. Atalanta kills two centaurs with a bow and arrows, shoots a boar, and forces those who lose races with her to die. A queen hangs herself.

Sex

Reference to an "elixir of convulsive lust," a mention of pubic hair, Hippomenes and Atalanta have sex, not described but clearly referred to (they "lay entwined," etc.)

Language

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Kate Pavao

Atalanta is abandoned as an infant, and the goddess Artemis causes her to be raised by bears. She is then taken in by a village and becomes a great runner and huntress. She takes part in the Calydonian boar hunt, causing the death of several of the huntsmen who argue over her presence there. Upon her return she is summoned by her father, who turns out to be a king, and ordered to marry, even though she is an acolyte of Artemis, pledged to chastity. She agrees to marry whoever can beat her in a race -- but if she wins the man must die.

Is it any good?

3

This is a straightforward retelling of the Atalanta myth in novel form. Though it lacks the humor and cleverness of author Stephanie Spinner's other novelized myth, Quicksilver,, Atalanta was never as witty and snarky as Hermes, so the tone fits the subject. This retelling is, however, enjoyable and action-packed, hewing closely to the original stories (and even including an obscure episode that comes after the traditional ending of the myth), making it useful for classes studying mythology.

What humor there is is provided in the arch commentary of the gods and goddesses that appears from time to time. Spinner also resolves one of the more troubling aspects of the original myth -- that Hippomenes seems to win the race by cheating: in this version, Atalanta clearly knows what he is doing.

From the Book:
An all-consuming lightness, like heatless fever, came over me. My skin prickled as if a storm were coming, and my hearing grew so acute that I imagined that I could hear the slow lap and surge of blood under my skin. I knew the signs; I had known them since girlhood.

The goddess, I thought. She is here.

Other choices

Other Books by Stephanie Spinner
Quicksilver

Aliens for Breakfast series
Weebie Zone series

More Novelized Myths
Singer to the Sea God by Vivien Alcock
The Arkadians by Lloyd Alexander
Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline B. Cooney
The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer
The Young Heroes series by Jane Yolen
The Great God Pan by Donna Jo Napoli
Tales from the Odyssey by Mary Pope Osborne

Related Websites
Stephanie's page at Random House

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 10/10/06 by chellebelle101993 Kid contributor, age 13

I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!

this book is based on a girl by the name of atlanta who was abondened at birth, later as she grows she belives a greek god by the name of artemeties saved her life there for she made a promise never to marry her whole life was dedicated to 1 greek god she had never met! Then the father that had abondand her at birth returns looking for a new eire because he was not as he says/feels was gifted with a male. So he forces atlanta to marry,she did not want to reveal her promise that she made to artmeties so she bargings with her father. "if a mortal man can beat me in a foot race i shall marry him, if i beat him he shall be exacuted." She thought it would keep people away but she wasnt succesful. Men came to the race but only left to see god!Then 1 day came along hippomenes a man who has loved her ever since she joined the hunt! He knew he couldnt beat her so he needed some help, so he went to the one and only god oes or as we know him now cupid. He blinded her with love i guess you can say. well he won but later she found out what happened and ran away an apology came after and the had sex on Zueses sacrid ground and as their punishment he turned them into lions a few years later she is awoken by her husband with a nidge and a newborn baby cub!

Adult Reviews

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Kids Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

4


Posted on 10/10/06 by chellebelle101993 Kid contributor, age 13

I LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!

this book is based on a girl by the name of atlanta who was abondened at birth, later as she grows she belives a greek god by the name of artemeties saved her life there for she made a promise never to marry her whole life was dedicated to 1 greek god she had never met! Then the father that had abondand her at birth returns looking for a new eire because he was not as he says/feels was gifted with a male. So he forces atlanta to marry,she did not want to reveal her promise that she made to artmeties so she bargings with her father. "if a mortal man can beat me in a foot race i shall marry him, if i beat him he shall be exacuted." She thought it would keep people away but she wasnt succesful. Men came to the race but only left to see god!Then 1 day came along hippomenes a man who has loved her ever since she joined the hunt! He knew he couldnt beat her so he needed some help, so he went to the one and only god oes or as we know him now cupid. He blinded her with love i guess you can say. well he won but later she found out what happened and ran away an apology came after and the had sex on Zueses sacrid ground and as their punishment he turned them into lions a few years later she is awoken by her husband with a nidge and a newborn baby cub!
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