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A review by tristansreadingmania
Satyrica by Petronius
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.