Penguin Classics Golden Ass - Softcover

Apuleius; Michael Grant; Graves, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0140445242 ISBN 13: 9780140445244

Publisher: Penguin Classic, 1990

Synopsis

The Golden Ass is a classic book filled with adventure, suspense, and humor. The story follows the misadventures of Lucius, an innovative young nobleman who travels to the Greek town of Hypata, well known for its witches.He is changed into a donkey and is constantly frustrated in his attempt to procure the remedy to his assness.

About this title

About the Author

Lucius Apuleius (2nd Century AD) was a North African fubulist who Latinized the Greek myths and legends. He travelled widely, visiting Italy and Asia, where he was initiated into numerous religious mysteries. He drew on the knowledge he gained about the priestly fraternities to write the Golden Ass, which Cupid and Psyche is extracted from. 

E.J. Kenney is Emeritus Kennedy Professor of Latin in the University of Cambridge. His publications include a critical edition of Ovid's amatory works. He is a Fellow of the British Academy.

Review

"An execllent introduction and an accurate...translation."--Jim Williams, SUNY at Genesco

"This translation deserves the highest praise. It is idiomatic whenever possible, clear and effective throughout; I am more impressed with it than with three others that I have sampled. The introduction is informative and balanced in judgment."--Philip F. O'Mara, Bridgewater College

"This is a good edition. The translation flows, the introduction is thorough."--Richard Mason, George Mason University

"[A] fresh, funny, evocative translation that captures Apuleius at his most uncanny."--W. Gardern Campbell, Mary washington College

"Walsh's new rendering--which on every page, improves upon the commonly used and dated translations of Jack Lindsay and Robert Graves--appears at a time when this ever popular novel is even more greatly appreciated by social historians for the window it provides on provincial life among real imperial subjects in the second century CE. This edition is enhanced by an excellent introduction, a select bibliography, explanatory notes, and an index and glossary of names....It should quickly become the obvious choice for Latin-less readers."--Religious Studies Review6R

"This translation is literal enough to come to a scholar's aid, and at the same time scholarly enough to use without embarrassment."--Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"P.G. Walsh has given us an excellent translation, contemporary without being too trendy, as well as a superb introduction that gives the historical, philosophical, and religious background of the work....Oxford's World's Classics has done it again, has produced a useful edition and superior translation of a work that has needed it for several generations."--CAES Newsletter

"Splendid volume, living up to the scholarly accuracy that makes the World's Classics series."--Professor John R. Lenz, Drew University

"OUP's decision to commission a new translation of Apuleius' novel by a scholar who has made a significant contribution to Apuleian studies is a welcome move. This is without doubt the translation I would prescribe for students studying the work in English."--Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"The best scholarly introduction and notes among the currently available paperback editions and a very high standard of accuracy in representing the Latin original."--Professor Robert Lamberton, Washington University

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin Classic
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0140445242
• ISBN 13: 9780140445244
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256