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The story of "The Golden Ass "is that of Lucius Apuleius, a young
man of good birth who encountered many strange adventures while
disporting himself along the roads to Thessaly. Not the least of
these occurred when Apuleius offended a priestess of the White
Goddess, who turned him into an ass. The tale of how Apuleius dealt
with this misfortune and eventually resumed human form is conveyed
by Robert Graves in modern English that is infused with a bawdy wit
and sense of adventure that is "itself a small masterpiece of
twentieth-century prose" (Kenneth Rexroth, "Saturday
Review").
Terence achieved in his brief twenty-six years a standard of
stylistic perfection and artistic restraint that ranked him, along
with Plautus, as the greatest of the Roman comic playwrights. He
was, at the very least, a gifted translator and adaptor, having
used Greek New Comedies as the basis for all six of his extant
plays. How far his own contribution exceeded that of simple
translation is difficult to say, but we know that the Latin,
undeniably his, was so faultlessly styled that his work served as a
textbook for scholars and grammarians for hundreds of years.
Terence had a considerable impact on the Revival of Letters; his
comedies were studied and were frequently adapted into new works by
such men as Steele, Chapman, and, most famously, Moliire. Indeed,
had there been no Terence, it is doubtful that the Comedy of
Manners could have arisen when it did, and all comic writing for
the stage, from Moilire through the Restoration drama to the
present day, would be diminished for lack of him. Appropriately,
the language of this translation is from the Restoration. Graves
has based his version on the one made in 1689 by Laurence Echard;
he has corrected inaccuracies, eliminated defects and obscurities,
but retained the period tone. Including in this book are the major
comedies: The Fair Andrian, The Mother-In-Law, The Self-Tormentor,
The Eunuch, The Tricks of Phormio and The Brothers. A close reading
of Terence is a fine corrective to any idea that may still be
current, about the glory that was Greece and grandeur that was Rome
during the Hellenistic period. It is an assurance that in some
respects at least, this age is not depraved at all.
The definitive and comprehensive edition of Robert Graves's classic
retelling of the Greek myths 'Icarus disobeyed his father's
instructions and began soaring towards the sun, rejoiced by the
lift of his great sweeping wings. Presently, when Daedalus looked
over his shoulder, he could no longer see Icarus; but scattered
feathers floated on the waves below...' These are the greatest
stories ever told - the labours of Hercules, the voyage of the
Argonauts, Theseus and the minotaur, Midas and his golden touch,
the Trojan War and Odysseus's journey home - brought together into
one epic and unforgettable story. Ideal for the first time reader,
it can be read as a single page-turning narrative, while full
commentaries as well as a comprehensive index of names make it
equally valuable for anyone seeking an authoritative and detailed
account of the spectacular stories that make up the bedrock of
Western literature. The Greek Myths is a classic among classics, a
treasure trove of extraordinary tales and a masterful work of
literature in its own right.
Terence achieved in his brief twenty-six years a standard of
stylistic perfection and artistic restraint that ranked him, along
with Plautus, as the greatest of the Roman comic playwrights. He
was, at the very least, a gifted translator and adaptor, having
used Greek New Comedies as the basis for all six of his extant
plays. How far his own contribution exceeded that of simple
translation is difficult to say, but we know that the Latin,
undeniably his, was so faultlessly styled that his work served as a
textbook for scholars and grammarians for hundreds of years.
Terence had a considerable impact on the Revival of Letters; his
comedies were studied and were frequently adapted into new works by
such men as Steele, Chapman, and, most famously, Molire. Indeed,
had there been no Terence, it is doubtful that the Comedy of
Manners could have arisen when it did, and all comic writing for
the stage, from Moilre through the Restoration drama to the present
day, would be diminished for lack of him. Appropriately, the
language of this translation is from the Restoration. Graves has
based his version on the one made in 1689 by Laurence Echard; he
has corrected inaccuracies, eliminated defects and obscurities, but
retained the period tone.
Including in this book are the major comedies: "The Fair
Andrian," "The Mother-In-Law," "The Self-Tormentor," "The Eunuch,"
"The Tricks of Phormio" and "The Brothers." A close reading of
Terence is a fine corrective to any idea that may still be current,
about the glory that was Greece and grandeur that was Rome during
the Hellenistic period. It is an assurance that in some respects at
least, this age is not depraved at all.
"Robert Graves" (1895-1985) was a distinguished poet, novelist,
essayist, critic, classicist and historian and produced over 140
different works. Although briefly, he also served as professor of
poetry at the University of Oxford. Some of his most famous works
include "I, Claudius," "Claudius the God," "The White Goddess,"
"Lawrence and the Arabs," and "The Greek Myths."
"King Jesus, " long out of print, is one of the most controversial
historical novels of all time. In it, Robert Graves has summoned
his superb narrative powers, his painstaking scholarship, his wit
and unsurpassed ability to recreate the past, to produce a
magnificant portrayal of the life of Christ on earth.
This labyrinthine and extraordinary book, first published more than
fifty years ago, was the outcome of Graves's vast reading and
curious research into strange territories of folklore, mythology,
religion and magic. Erudite and impassioned, it is a scholar-poet's
quest for the meaning of European myths, a polemic about the
relations between man and woman, and also an intensely personal
document in which Graves explored the sources of his own
inspiration and, as he believed, all true poetry. This new edition
has been prepared by Grevel Lindop, who has written an illuminating
introduction. The text of the book incorporates all Graves's final
revisions, as well as his replies to two of the original reviewers,
and a long essay in which he describes the months of inspiration in
which The White Goddess was written.
Pons Asinorum Or The Future of Nonsense George Edinger and E J C
Neep Originally published in 1929. "A most entertaining essay, rich
in quotation from the old masters of clownship's craft." Saturday
Review The author maintains that true nonsense must be aimless
humour - the humour that makes fun as opposed to the humour that
makes fun of something. 88pp Democritus Or The Future of Laughter
Gerald Gould Originally published in 1929. "Democritus is bound to
be among the favourites of the series. Gould's humour glances at
history, morality, and humanity...wise and witty writing." Observer
Democritus is intended to illustrate the prevailing fashion in
laughter and on the basis of historical and philosophical
principles to forecast the humour of the future. 90pp Mrs Fisher Or
The Future of Humour Robert Graves Originally published in 1928 "Mr
Graves is the best man who could have been chosen to write on this
subject." Daily Express "...perfectly irresponsible, as a joker
should be." The Times This volume analyzes humour with a solemnity
which becomes almost nightmarish. 90pp Babel Or the Past, Present
and Future of Human Speech Richard Paget Originally published in
1930. "...stimulating and absorbing." Journal of Education This
volume discusses human speech and treats it as a growth which must
be tamed if it is to fulfil its highest purpose as a symbolism for
human thought. 86pp
From the incredible wizardry of Merlin to the passion of Sir
Lancelot, these tales of Arthur and his knights offer epic
adventures with the supernatural as well as timeless battles with
our own humanity. Features a new Afterword. Revised reissue.
An essential selection from the range and bulk of Robert Graves's poetry, edited by Ulster poet Michael Longley. This edition restores Graves to view as a major twentieth century poet, and demonstrates his manifold achievement as war poet, as love poet, and as - in the round - a secular visionary whose poems are 'inimitable, eccentric marvels - some of which are extraordinary, many are masterly, all are like nothing else ever written' (Randall Jarrell).
This edition of Robert Graves's poems is scrupulously selected from across the full range of his lifetime's verse. It opens with an illuminating introduction in which Longley makes a persuasive case for the importance of this remarkable poet.
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Hebrew Myths (Paperback)
Robert Graves, Raphael Patai
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R474
R388
Discovery Miles 3 880
Save R86 (18%)
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Ships in 9 - 15 working days
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'There has been a lot of fighting hereabouts. The trenches have
made themselves rather than been made, and run inconsequently in
and out of the big thirty-foot high stacks of bricks; it is most
confusing. The parapet of a trench which we don't occupy is built
up with ammunition boxes and corpses . . .' In one of the most
honest and candid self-portraits ever committed to paper, Robert
Graves tells the extraordinary story of his experiences as a young
officer in the First World War. He describes life in the trenches
in vivid, raw detail, how the dehumanizing horrors he witnessed
left him shell-shocked. They were to haunt him for the rest of his
life.
In 1929 Robert Graves went to live abroad permanently, vowing 'never to make England my home again'. This is his superb account of his life up until that 'bitter leave-taking': from his childhood and desperately unhappy school days at Charterhouse, to his time serving as a young officer in the First World War that was to haunt him throughout his life. It also contains memorable encounters with fellow writers and poets, including Siegfried Sassoon and Thomas Hardy, and covers his increasingly unhappy marriage to Nancy Nicholson. Goodbye to All That, with its vivid, harrowing descriptions of the Western Front, is a classic war document, and also has immense value as one of the most candid self-portraits of an artist ever written.
The definitive edition of one of the more extraordinary and
influential books of our time
This labyrinthine and extraordinary book, first published more than
sixty years ago, was the outcome of Robert Graves's vast reading
and curious research into strange territories of folklore,
mythology, religion, and magic. Erudite and impassioned, it is a
scholar-poet's quest for the meaning of European myths, a polemic
about the relations between man and woman, and also an intensely
personal document in which Graves explores the sources of his own
inspiration and, as he believed, all true poetry.
Incorporating all of Graves's final revisions, his replies to two
of the original reviewers, and an essay describing the months of
illumination in which "The White Goddess "was written, this is the
definitive edition of one of the most influential books of our
time.
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The Big Green Book (Hardcover)
Robert Graves; Illustrated by Maurice Sendak
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R568
R486
Discovery Miles 4 860
Save R82 (14%)
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The Twelve Caesars (Paperback)
Robert Graves, Suetonius; Edited by James Rives
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R348
R285
Discovery Miles 2 850
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'Suetonius, in holding up a mirror to those Caesars of diverting
legend, reflects not only them but ourselves: half-tempted
creatures, whose great moral task is to hold in balance the angel
and the monster within' GORE VIDAL As private secretary to the
Emperor Hadrian, the scholar Suetonius had access to the imperial
archives and used them (along with eyewitness accounts) to produce
one of the most colourful biographical works in history. The Twelve
Caesars chronicles the public careers and private lives of the men
who wielded absolute power over Rome, from the foundation of the
empire under Julius Caesar and Augustus to the decline into
depravity under Nero and the recovery that came with his
successors. This masterpiece of observation, immortalized in Robert
Graves's classic translation, presents us with a gallery of vividly
drawn - and all too human - individuals. Translated by ROBERT
GRAVES Revised with an Introduction and notes by JAMES B. RIVES
Robert Graves's classic retelling of the Greek Myths is definitive,
comprehensive and unparalleled - and available now in the Penguin
Classics Deluxe series, featuring a new introduction from Rick
Riordan (bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and Olympian
series). Including many of the greatest stories ever told - the
labours of Hercules, the voyage of the Argonauts, Theseus and the
minotaur, Midas and his golden touch, the Trojan War and Odysseus's
journey home - Robert Graves's superb and comprehensive retelling
of the Greek myths for a modern audience has been regarded for over
fifty years as the definitive version. With a novelist's skill and
a poet's eye, Graves draws on the entire canon of ancient
literature, bringing together all the elements of every myth into
one epic and unforgettable story. Ideal for the first time reader,
it can be read as a single, continuous narrative, while full
commentaries, with cross-references, interpretations, variants and
explanations, as well as a comprehensive index of names, make it
equally valuable as a work of scholarly reference for anyone
seeking an authoritative and detailed account of the gods, heroes
and extraordinary events that provide the bedrock of Western
literature. The result is a classic among classics, a treasure
trove of extraordinary tales and a masterful work of literature in
its own right. Robert Graves (1895-1985) was a novelist, poet,
historian, critic and translator, author of some 140 books, and one
of the greatest figures of 20th century British literature.
Alongside The Greek Myths, his most famous works include the
historical novels I, Claudius and Claudius the God and his First
World War memoir Goodbye to All That.
'Still an acknowledged masterpiece and a model for historical
fiction ... sympathetic and intensely involving: a great feat of
imagination' Hilary Mantel Bringing to life the intrigue of ancient
Rome, Robert Graves's I, Claudius is one of the most celebrated,
gripping historical novels ever written Despised for his weakness
and regarded by his family as little more than a stammering fool,
the nobleman Claudius quietly survives the bloody purges and
mounting cruelty of the imperial Roman dynasties. In I, Claudius he
watches from the sidelines to record the reigns of its emperors:
from the wise Augustus and his villainous wife Livia to the
sadistic Tiberius and the insane excesses of Caligula. Written in
the form of Claudius' autobiography, this is the first part of
Robert Graves's brilliant account of the madness and debauchery of
ancient Rome. With an introduction by Barry Unsworth 'An
imaginative and hugely readable account of the early decades of the
Roman Empire ... racy, inventive, often comic' Daily Telegraph
Continuing the saga begun in I, Claudius, Robert Graves's Claudius
the God is a compelling fictional autobiography of the Roman
emperor, published with an introduction by Barry Unsworth in
Penguin Modern Classics. Claudius has survived the murderous
intrigues of his predecessors to become, reluctantly, Emperor of
Rome. Here he recounts his surprisingly successful reign: how he
cultivates the loyalty of the army and the common people to repair
the damage caused by Caligula; his relations with the Jewish King
Herod Agrippa; and his invasion of Britain. But the growing
paranoia of absolute power and the infidelity of his promiscuous
young wife Messalina mean that his good fortune will not last
forever. In this second part of Robert Graves's fictionalized
autobiography, Claudius - wry, rueful, always inquisitive - brings
to life some of the most scandalous and violent times in history.
If you enjoyed Claudius the God, you might like Marguerite
Yourcenar's Memoirs of Hadrian, also available in Penguin Modern
Classics. 'I, Claudius and Claudius the God are an imaginative and
hugely readable account of the early decades of the Roman Empire
... racy, inventive, often comic' Daily Telegraph 'One of the
really remarkable books of our day, a novel of learning and
imagination, fortunately conceived and brilliantly executed' The
New York Times 'Graves made Roman history funny and familiar'
Guardian
In Homer's Daughter Robert Graves recreates the Odyssey. This bold
retelling of the ancient epic imagines that its author was not the
blind and bearded Homer of legend, but a young woman in Western
Sicily who calls herself Nausicaa. In Robert Graves's words,
Homer's Daughter is 'the story of a high-spirited and
religious-minded Sicilian girl who saves her father's throne from
usurpation, herself from a distasteful marriage, and her two
younger brothers from butchery by boldly making things happen,
instead of sitting still and hoping for the best.'
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