The Satyricon (Oxford World's Classics)

That's five stars for the Satyricon of Petronius, not for this particular translation, although the introduction and notes are very good. I have not read any other translation to completion, but from what I have read in the Penguin edition, that translation is better to my tastes. This Oxford World Classics translation attempts to lower the Satyricon to a "hip" colloquialist style that the translator thinks would appeal more to youthful college age readers. To me it came across as a stodgy classics professor trying to act cool. Again, the notes and introduction are very helpful for setting the context of the scenes and explaining some of the satire that would probably not be apparent to the modern reader. But the genius and charm of the original could shine clearly through even the most inept translation! Satyricon is a Roman novel from the first century A.D. that has come down to us only in fragments. The plot is sort of a mock epic that revolves around a lovers' spat between two youthful male lovers, Encolpius and Acyltus, who fight between themselves over a beautiful slave boy Giton. The work is a unique creation from a wholly different cultural mindset that interweaves a high literary tone with the most bawdy, even pornographic subject matter. Even the fragments draw the most memorable, compelling characters in Trimalchio, the neuveau riche lord, and Eumolpius, the prolific but incompetent poet. Satyricon is truly a gem of world literature, even if a shattered one. It's possible, very possible, that the fragments of Satyricon that we have form the bulk of the original work, but tantalyzing hints found in ancient sources suggest a vast novel which is largely lost. The pain of this loss can only be compared to those agonizing gaps in the fossil record that may never be revealed, or to the vague hints at wonderous creatures forever beyond our ken, such as the giant teeth of the Meglodon, which in the absence of a complete skeleton leave us only to wonder at how splendid this prodigy of the seas was in life. Thankfully though, enough of the Satyricon survives to bite any reader of taste and discrimination.

This paperback arrived quickly and in totally fine condition. Thumbs up.

The content of the Satyricon provides a potentially fascinating insight into life in Roman times. Unfortunately, this version of the book was a bit of a disappointment for several reasons. First, there are no maps. It seems having a few maps would greatly help the reader to orient himself or herself within the Roman world. The result is the reader is left to fend for himself or herself in this regard. Second, there are no diagrams, save for one quite poorly annotated seating arrangement for Trimalchio's dinner party. Again, a few diagrams would have helped the reader to understand the text better. Third, the translator used too many current vernacular English expressions rather than preserving the text and feel of the Latin of the original text. In so doing, ancient Roman phraseology has been obliterated rather than preserved. It would have been better to preserve the older wording and use footnotes to explain the meanings. Fourth, the footnoting is really and truly frustrating! Unless one has a library of classics at hand, the footnotes lose much of their impact. Other texts are referenced frequently, which makes the footnote less clear unless one has the references handy. And even then, the reader must work to dig out the reference, find the portion cited, and then draw the desired conclusions. In one case, the translator cited Acts 19 as providing an excellent insight into life in the Roman Empire of the period. Reading Acts 19 reveals that such information is sparse at best, and practically useless at worst. This, of course, calls into question the value of the other footnotes. Basically, this is an opportunity missed. Better to find another translation which is truer to the original text and which is better footnoted.

This story is a dark comedy which satirizes the dissipation, hedonism, and debauchery that occurred during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero.

for a course called Classics in Translation at Queens College

Am I the only one taken about by his translation of the name Encolpius as "on the breast"? There is not a single other translator who comes up with this. It's usually "the crotch" or "in the crotch"--the character's name being a joke on his situation. The translation for Loeb demurely renders it as "in the lap," but at least one can see how "in the crotch" and "in the lap" might be related. "On the breast?" Nor does he acknowledge this is a very atypical reading or explain how he can to this conclusion. Makes me distrust the whole translation.The Satyricon as a work ranks much higher than the rating I'm giving this translation.

It was good

My son-inlaw really likes this book.

Although the books is new, I was clearly just given a dud copy, because there is an ugly fold on the front cover. When you order a new book, you expect it to be in good shape and not defective. I don't much appreciate being fobbed off with a book that has a huge fold on the front cover.

A most unusual book. It is somewhat reminiscent of Rabelais and much of the humour depends on intimately knowing the society for which it was written; that makes it difficult for the modern reader, who is constantly having to look up the allusions etc in the glossary at the back. Having said that, it races along in the tradition of such books. As with many of the classics, one can't help lamenting the chapters and passages that have gone missing over the centuries.

A brilliant book which arrived early and in great condition.

Excellent!

got this for my classics class, came as expected, in good condition