An acclaimed modern poet unlocks the forgotten music of ancient Greek lyrics--that are as fresh today as when they were written--in a new free-spirited translationTwo and a half millennia ago, on the... This description may be from another edition of this product.
The beauty of these words is above my comment. I'm thankful that Mr. Haxton chose these selections for the reader's pleasure and enlightenment. The book is a lyrical survey of the ancient Greek world view. I am the better for having read it.
Sharp & Sweet
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I picked up this book of translations because I'd read one of the poems on Poetry Daily and was instantly captivated. The poems don't read like translations--they are vital, graceful, funny, bleak--and in that sense they certainly feel contemporary. But I wouldn't say that they are ever contemporary at the expense of the classic originals--instead they remind us that perceptions and emotions rendered this sharply and cleanly centuries ago still have the power (when translated by the right person) to reach us in the here and now. This volume doesn't read like a set of translations; the voice is compelling, it's range is considerable, and each time I open it a different poem becomes my favorite. (It's probably also worth saying that the production values on this book are impressive--it's a beautiful object to keep around.)
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