The Arrow and the Lamp: The Story of Psyche

Hodges, Margaret; Diamond, Donna

ISBN 10: 0316367907 ISBN 13: 9780316367905

Publisher: Little Brown & Co, 1989

Synopsis

Relates how Psyche married the god of love, Eros, how she lost him, and the many obstacles she had to overcome before she became an immortal and could join him on Mount Olympus.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-8-- The Greek myth about Cupid and Psyche, told in lyrical prose and accompanied by luminous illustrations. Psyche is so lovely that she angers Aphrodite, who finds men turning away from worshipping at her shrine to admire Psyche. Aphrodite sends her son, Eros (or Cupid) to punish Psyche, but instead he falls in love with her, wounding himself with one of his own arrows. Eros makes a home for Psyche in a fine palace, but she is never allowed to look at him in the light. Psyche's fatal flaw is her curiosity; when she lights a lamp to see her husband's face, she loses all, and has to earn her place at his side as one of the immortals through accomplishing impossible tasks. The story is a fascinating one, containing as it does so many motifs that appear in later folktales, yet many of the collections of myths for children do not include it. The story appears in Doris Gates' Two Queens of Heaven (Viking, 1974; o.p.), but in this edition it is given new life by Diamond's well-executed paintings, which convey an immediacy and an otherworldliness at the same time. The book is beautifully designed with objects from the illustrations spilling over into the abundant white space on each double-page spread. This smooth, straightforward retelling makes a fine addition for the mythology shelves. --Connie C. Rockman, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Little Brown & Co
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0316367907
• ISBN 13: 9780316367905
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 32