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giorgiavignoli_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lunacueva's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rosekk's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't sure what to make of this. The edition I read (and can't find on goodreads) was only 60 pages long, so I think it's just a section of the whole text. It hasn't inspired me to read the rest.
firstorderpixie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
hotgirlwithbadtaste's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
i wasn’t a fan of this but maybe roman humor just isn’t for me
banned_book's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Continuing on with books that I was banned from reading as a child - this one makes sense as it was very gay and very slutty.
It took me a minute to get used to the pacing and to understand that these pages are kintsugi of a much longer text, fragmented and lost. That being said, once trying to decipher larger themes went out the window I enjoyed The Satyricon immensely. You have to approach the prose with a sort of dream logic forgiveness to get the most out of the looney tunes humor.
What ends up coming across is a torrential whirlwind that enthralls a group of Nero-age plebeians in its depraved clutches. Content warning: Deflowering virgins at a very young age appeared to be commonplace. The entire cast of characters regarded rape, sexual torture, and general powerplay with a casual air. It seemed typical for those not protected by nobility status or riches to fall under the heel of manipulative erotic dynamics.
Perhaps additional satire was further embedded in the widespread nymphomania in ways I did not manage to pick up. I don't have any expertise in this area of history or literature.
Overall Petronius conveyed deep disdain for regression in education, undeserved financial success, ostentation, and general deceitfulness… all through copious sex scenes. To be clear, this is not smut. Intercourse merely happens in the background as a constant. Almost like a prop. It's no wonder that Christians (and by extension, my father) found this work abhorrent.
It took me a minute to get used to the pacing and to understand that these pages are kintsugi of a much longer text, fragmented and lost. That being said, once trying to decipher larger themes went out the window I enjoyed The Satyricon immensely. You have to approach the prose with a sort of dream logic forgiveness to get the most out of the looney tunes humor.
What ends up coming across is a torrential whirlwind that enthralls a group of Nero-age plebeians in its depraved clutches. Content warning: Deflowering virgins at a very young age appeared to be commonplace. The entire cast of characters regarded rape, sexual torture, and general powerplay with a casual air. It seemed typical for those not protected by nobility status or riches to fall under the heel of manipulative erotic dynamics.
Perhaps additional satire was further embedded in the widespread nymphomania in ways I did not manage to pick up. I don't have any expertise in this area of history or literature.
Overall Petronius conveyed deep disdain for regression in education, undeserved financial success, ostentation, and general deceitfulness… all through copious sex scenes. To be clear, this is not smut. Intercourse merely happens in the background as a constant. Almost like a prop. It's no wonder that Christians (and by extension, my father) found this work abhorrent.
tristansreadingmania's review against another edition
3.0
Petronius' Satyrica more than lives up to its bawdy reputation. Those ancient pagans sure were a riot, let me tell you. Sadly, due to its fragmentary nature (only two books have survived), it fails in ever truly making the reader - well, this one at least - care about the actual story. As a series of vignettes it sort of works, but not as a novel.
Furthermore, this particular translator (Folio Society edition) I feel was too liberal in his approach. The many modern references (the United Nations, really?), slang language ("fly", the adjective), kept pulling me out of the story. Guess that makes me a purist. Gorgeous presentation and illustrations, though. Just wished for a different translation.
Furthermore, this particular translator (Folio Society edition) I feel was too liberal in his approach. The many modern references (the United Nations, really?), slang language ("fly", the adjective), kept pulling me out of the story. Guess that makes me a purist. Gorgeous presentation and illustrations, though. Just wished for a different translation.
xx_boy_glitter_xx's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5