Classical Stories and Fantasy: The Birder and Other Tales

What do the classical stories of myths and legends mean to us today? In this episode of Mythmakers, Dr. Lorna Robinson—founder of the Iris Project and director of the Rumble Museum at Cheney School in Oxford—joins Julia Golding to discuss her quest to bring these timeless tales to young people.

The conversation explores Lorna’s reinterpretation of Ovid's Metamorphoses in The Birder, a magical realism novel built around the idea that, as in the myths, people don’t die—they transform into other creatures or things.

The Birder is available now at https://www.amazon.co.uk/Birder-Dr-Lorna-Robinson/dp/B0DNC7V79X, alternatively you can ask your local bookshop to order a copy for you.

(00:05) Introducing Mythmakers and Dr Lorna Robinson
(05:40) Widening Access to Myths Through Education
(09:30) Young Readers, Modern Media, and Classical Stories
(13:40) Cultural Literacy and Why Myths Still Matter
(16:10) Writing The Birder and Imagining Metamorphosis
(20:10) Ovid, Magical Realism, and Belief in Ancient Stories
(23:20) Environmental Themes and Future Writing Projects
(25:00) Reading Ovid Today and Modern Retellings

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Mythmakers is the podcast for fantasy fans and creatives, brought to you by the Oxford Centre for Fantasy. In each episode, we embark on an exploration of the world of fantasy—both classic and contemporary. From the stories behind your favourite series to expert tips for aspiring writers, we dive into books, films, TV shows, and the creative process behind them.

Brought to you from the heart of Oxford—home to literary greats like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Lewis Carroll—we continue the storytelling tradition in the very city where Narnia, Middle-earth, and even Wonderland took shape drawing on the city’s magical blend of ancient buildings, labyrinthine libraries, and gentle river meadows.

Ready to step into the Wardrobe with us into your next big adventure? Visit https://oxfordcentreforfantasy.org/ to learn more!