The Calydonian Boar

School Library Journal

Gr 6-9-- Another vivid account constructed from various myths. This tale of Meleager, prince of Calydon, and Atalanta, huntress-princess of Arcadia, centers on the boar they hunted together. In a wonderfully imagined scene, Evslin has Artemis create the boar early on, from ``vital mud'' of the Styx, as a personal monster to rival those of other gods. He tells how at Meleager's birth a Fate foretold that he would not die until a a certain brand burning on the hearth was consumed--and how his mother snatched it up and locked it away to ensure his life. One of Evslin's twists in using the legend of Atalanta (exposed at birth and reared by bears) is having her wrestle the chance-met Meleager and her shock of discovery that he and she are alike. Their love and popular acclaim of Atalanta's hunting prowess enrages Artemis, who whistles up her monster boar in vengeance. Atalanta joins other heroes to stop its ravages. When Meleager awards her the boar pelt, his uncles (here shown as evil plotters) protest and are slain. Meleager's mother avenges her brothers' deaths by burning the brand--and Atalanta grieves as she goes on to other adventures. The liberties Evslin takes with variations of legends, well in keeping with tradition, enhance the tellings--as does the art, ranging from painted Greek vases, Roman mosaics, and modern paintings, that illustrates the well-designed volume. --Ruth M. McConnell, San Antonio Pub . Lib .