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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
(was reading a different translation) probably need a more modern translation to get into the book, just couldn't absorb anything I was reading
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
not sure what I was expecting from a book written in the 2nd century but every chapter of this was insane - so scandalous, violent, smutty even. I forgot how unhinged ancient lit is lol. modern day authors could never
Few works of prose from the classical Roman era have survived and at the same time still attract a contemporary audience. One exception is this story of a rambunctious and overcurious merchant in 2nd century Roman Greece accidentally turned into an ass for most of the book.
Apuleius treats the reader to a rollercoaster of witty and often juicy folktales that the protagonist either experiences himself or overhears from other characters in the book. He finds himself going from one ordeal to another and only narrowly escapes death before finding salvation thanks to the goddess Isis.
He is no dour Tacitus, and instead gushes out a baroque cascade of anecdotes, descriptions and jokes. Many of the stories are rather explicit in nature, but he manages to cover it with a layer of wit and philosophical exhortations, turning provocative situations into amusing and thought-provoking reading. Knowing classical literature and culture helps, but is not a requisite to enjoy the book.
Even a church father like Augustine was a fan of Apuleius' work, probably owing to the redemption story of the protagonist ultimately becoming a devoted monk, which proves that it isn't some cheap form of amusement. The book is an odd mix, something quite unique that we won't see again on our day and so well worth the read for anyone today.
Apuleius treats the reader to a rollercoaster of witty and often juicy folktales that the protagonist either experiences himself or overhears from other characters in the book. He finds himself going from one ordeal to another and only narrowly escapes death before finding salvation thanks to the goddess Isis.
He is no dour Tacitus, and instead gushes out a baroque cascade of anecdotes, descriptions and jokes. Many of the stories are rather explicit in nature, but he manages to cover it with a layer of wit and philosophical exhortations, turning provocative situations into amusing and thought-provoking reading. Knowing classical literature and culture helps, but is not a requisite to enjoy the book.
Even a church father like Augustine was a fan of Apuleius' work, probably owing to the redemption story of the protagonist ultimately becoming a devoted monk, which proves that it isn't some cheap form of amusement. The book is an odd mix, something quite unique that we won't see again on our day and so well worth the read for anyone today.
No idea how this translation compares with others, but the story is funny, baudy, sweet, sexy, gross, sad, mystical, and wildly foundational to classics of western literature (Decameron, Romeo + Juliet, Don Quixote, etc). Excellent footnotes. A Classics background helps but isn't necessary.
This novel is 1900 years old and accessible. How amazing is that?
This novel is 1900 years old and accessible. How amazing is that?
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
ce que j'aime avec les récits pré modernes, c'est le portrait toujours démystificateur de ce que pouvait être la vie à une certaine époque. on se rappel à la lecture, que derrière les statues de marbres des philosophes et les discours politiques en latin, retenus comme seules fenêtres sur l'antiquité, il y avait avant tout une société d'hommes, insérés dans leur quotidien, avec son lot de médiocrité, de souillures, de difficultés, qui n'enlève rien à la beauté de ces civilisations.
si apulée n'était pas un menteur (et je ne pense pas qu'il l'était) ce qu'il nous montre de sa grece, à l'époque impériale, a définitivement quelque chose de burlesque (euphémisme). les hommes et les femmes de son temps sont lubriques, si ce n'est pas adultères, violents, vils, trompeurs et manipulateurs. mais à travers tout cette bassesse humaine, bassesse proprement naturelle à notre condition, si vite oubliée du haut des illusions érigées par la modernité, on décèle également une douceur, transmise au prime abord, par toutes ces digressions (l'histoire de psyché et cupidon, et tant d'autres, toute aussi prenantes), mais aussi par cette lucidité sur le sort des mortels, et leur nécessaire humiliation, quand après avoir tout essayé pour se sortir de leur infortune, ne leur reste que le refuge, au chevet de quelque chose qui les dépasses.
si apulée n'était pas un menteur (et je ne pense pas qu'il l'était) ce qu'il nous montre de sa grece, à l'époque impériale, a définitivement quelque chose de burlesque (euphémisme). les hommes et les femmes de son temps sont lubriques, si ce n'est pas adultères, violents, vils, trompeurs et manipulateurs. mais à travers tout cette bassesse humaine, bassesse proprement naturelle à notre condition, si vite oubliée du haut des illusions érigées par la modernité, on décèle également une douceur, transmise au prime abord, par toutes ces digressions (l'histoire de psyché et cupidon, et tant d'autres, toute aussi prenantes), mais aussi par cette lucidité sur le sort des mortels, et leur nécessaire humiliation, quand après avoir tout essayé pour se sortir de leur infortune, ne leur reste que le refuge, au chevet de quelque chose qui les dépasses.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The translation is amazing! People who have fun with words will have fun with this text. The story itself is episodic, often entertaining, sometimes offensive. I don’t think I’m revealing too much to say that I found the ending to be weirdly boring relative to the rest of the book.
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm surprised I gave it two stars. My junior year in high school we had to translate this book into English. It was pure torture! It may have actually been a good book but I only recall suffering through the Latin to translate it to something that made even slight sense.
May need to re-read to give it a true rating. This time I will endeavor to read it in English only.
May need to re-read to give it a true rating. This time I will endeavor to read it in English only.