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A review by katykelly
The Story of Antigone by Ali Smith
3.0
I didn't know much about the story, so a short audio-version sounded like a nice introduction. This is suitable for children (though I can imagine they will have a lot of questions!) and makes a short fairy tale for adults.
It's one disc long, and tells the story of Antigone (an-Tig-on-ee), a Greek princess, who buries her dishonoured brother without permission, and suffers the consequences.
The unique aspect to the story is the inclusion of extra characters/narrators - a crow and dog, viewing the playing out of the scenes with their own non-human perspective.
Lots here of use to primary/secondary teachers and classes. I wasn't enamoured, I enjoyed the very pleasant Scottish narration by the author (even if not authentically Greek!), and the short 'interview' at the end with the author (and crow!).
I didn't personally like Antigone very much, for even though she is strong-minded enough to make her own decisions, she submits to her determined fate far too quietly for my liking, I wanted passionate speeches rhetoric, though I appreciate that isn't quite the tone of the tragedy.
I would have liked more detail and background, certainly other Greek tales telling in a similar vein would be nice for a younger audience, the style was appropriate to children, though I can't comment on layout/illustrations as I haven't seen a paper copy.
Interesting, may stimulate curiosity in Ancient Greek stories.
Hard to pinpoint an age range for this, but it could be useful in KS2-4 classes.
It's one disc long, and tells the story of Antigone (an-Tig-on-ee), a Greek princess, who buries her dishonoured brother without permission, and suffers the consequences.
The unique aspect to the story is the inclusion of extra characters/narrators - a crow and dog, viewing the playing out of the scenes with their own non-human perspective.
Lots here of use to primary/secondary teachers and classes. I wasn't enamoured, I enjoyed the very pleasant Scottish narration by the author (even if not authentically Greek!), and the short 'interview' at the end with the author (and crow!).
I didn't personally like Antigone very much, for even though she is strong-minded enough to make her own decisions, she submits to her determined fate far too quietly for my liking, I wanted passionate speeches rhetoric, though I appreciate that isn't quite the tone of the tragedy.
I would have liked more detail and background, certainly other Greek tales telling in a similar vein would be nice for a younger audience, the style was appropriate to children, though I can't comment on layout/illustrations as I haven't seen a paper copy.
Interesting, may stimulate curiosity in Ancient Greek stories.
Hard to pinpoint an age range for this, but it could be useful in KS2-4 classes.