Product Description
Commonly considered the greatest of Roman satirical poets, Juvenal is the author of sixteen satires of Roman society, notable for their pessimism and ironic humor. In this new translation of the Satires, Professor Rudd combines textual accuracy with colorful poetry, vividly conveying Juvenal's gift for evoking a wealth of imagery with a few economical phrases. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Gallingly Prescient
Maybe these "satires" preach to the choir.

Reading Juvenile later in life assures certain frustrations that forewarned would not sting so bad.

They aren't quite the facts of life, but "The Satires" are frustratingly accurate descriptions of frequently unspoken, unreported failures one feels living in Rome - and likely any other metropolitan area.

Bile! Bile! Moan and Misanthropy
We don't know too much about Juvenal - likelihood is he was a not particularly wealthy Plebeian living in Rome around 55AD, but he did leave a bitter core of writings that will echo with the modern reader.

He picks apart the hypocricies and moral faults of urban Roman society in a manner that resonates clearly with the current boom/credit crunch metropolises: 'few can distinguish the genuinely good from the reverse', 'we are too quick to imitate depraved examples', 'so rare is the union of beauty with modesty', 'the people long for just two things: bread and circuses' (read today: reality television). Ha!

Juvenal's satires are not comic exaggerations in the modern sense - they are too severe and bitter for that - but they do fulfil the satirists ultimate purpose: to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Western civilisation has always been enriched by the work of a few lonely souls who chose to go through life as an embittered minority of one, rejecting the gravy train of an easy life and pulling apart the filth and injustices of the societies in which they live.

Juvenal was one of these people and he left a rich satirical legacy, a vein that runs through the likes of the great Jonathan Swift and Dr Johnson (and you can pick up resonances in Will Self, writing today). Juvenal's prose is truly writing that is for all time.

A gentleman's rant
These 16 essays aren't satires, in the modern sense of comedic exaggerations. Instead, they are serious commentary on some of the many failings of a time in social decline - topics that will often send a familiar chill through a modern reader.

Juvenal's complaints are numerous and well-founded: hypocrisy in general, physical and moral risks of urban living, marital infidelity, abuse of power by the military (were they the police?), abuse of trust by almost anyone, and more. Along with his generally gloomy outlook (e.g. 'The Futility of Aspirations') and incipient sense of persecution ('The Plight of Intellectuals'), one struck close to home for me.

'The Influence of Vicious Parents' repeats something both obvious and in desperate need of repetition. Children learn what they see, not what they're told, and the adult acts as the child learned to act. If only one quote from this book sticks with me, I hope it's this: "A child demands the utmost respect, so think twice if you have someting nasty in mind."

Although generally readable, it doesn't flow as easily as other translations I've seen. Profuse endnotes (about 40% of the book's total mass) address many issues of culture, cross-reference, and linguistic interest. I'm a general-interest reader with a deepset habit of reading footnotes, and often found the commentary more pedantic than enlightening. Specialists and scholars may appreciate the detail; I just found it distracting.

//wiredweird

Excellent Translation
Rudd's translation is a pleasure to read. He manages to stick closely to the Latin of Juvenal while also conveying the livelinessand humor of the Satires. I would recommend it not only for a student who is struggling through the Latin, but also the casual reader.

Juvenal's Satires
Juvenal is best understood when you liken his satire to drama. You're actually not supposed to identify with the speaker. The satirist's harsh indignance forces you to be skeptical in the way you read, and the way you look at the world. Rudd has produced a good translation, and his preference for generalizing over historical specifics is helpful for most readers, though slightly prohibitive for the student. Adequate notes and helpful introduction.

Since Amazon insists on posting my review of Rudd's translation to Braund's Cambridge text, I must admit that I have not used Braund's text.The series, though, is consistently good, and Braund is a natural choice to comment on the Satires.I am confident from reading her other scholarship on Juvenal that her commentary is educated, her viewpoint modern, and her commentary very helpful. ... Read more

Product Description
The Tattoo Hunter is a powerful account of the dark sideof sexuality and its effects on human consciousness. Written in anexciting poetic style, this story of curiosity and seduction takes usfrom the very origins of the Cretan labyrinth to the labyrinth drawnon the soft skin of its most intriguing chartacter, the Countess, in adesperate hunt for meaning. The elegant prose and provocativeatmosphere immerse us in a world of velvet, Goth women, and red winespilled on naked bodies, as we follow the steps of this unique,intellectual hunter. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Worth it.
I had been wanting to read this book for a about 4 years or so. When I finally got a copy of the audiobook version in spanish I found it was worth the wait. Though it has no real plot the narrator leads us through a very seductive and descriptive ride. Thinking back, it reminds me of Herman Miller's Under the Roofs of Paris...but more sensual and less raw or graphic. Perhaps because it is written in spanish. I do appreciate the author's insights into Mexican women and the life of a Latino trans-national. I look forward to reading more from this author. I also recommend Puerto Vallarta Squeeze from the author of The Bridges of Madison County. ... Read more

Product Description
This book explores central aspects of a key period in Latin literature.The study is unusual in embracing both poetry and prose, and in offering close literary discussion of a large number of particular passages.It is not a history, but a selective and comparative study--throwing fresh light on the period as a whole, on individual authors, and on differences and affinities between genres. Most space is given to epic and tragedy, and to the prose of Seneca and Tacitus; but Juvenal, Martial, the Younger Pliny, and other authors are also treated.The book also considers large features of genre and relates these to fundamental elements of style and to the treatment of some vital themes.It aims to give the reader a feeling for this brilliant and extraordinary writing, and a sense of the excitement and fascination of the literary period. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's preservation reformatting program. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the text that can both be accessed online and used to create new print copies. This book and thousands of others can be found in the digital collections of the University of Michigan Library. The University Library also understands and values the utility of print, and makes reprints available through its Scholarly Publishing Office. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Original Published by: Press of the New era printing company in 1915 in 188 pages; Subjects: Satire, Latin; Latin literature; Latin language; Foreign Language Study / Latin; History / General; History / Ancient / Rome; Literary Collections / Ancient, Classical & Medieval; Literary Criticism / General; Literary Criticism / Ancient & Classical; ... Read more

Product Description
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Product Description
Juvenal (c55-c138) was a lawyer and satirist. His 16 verse satires attacked Roman life and society. This anthology documents the wide variety of translations, adaptations and imitations of Juvenal in English poetry from the 16th century to 2000. Also includes works by Wordsworth, Lowell and Jonson. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

a beauty of a book -- terrific anthology
It's mind-blowing that this essential study of Juvenal's influence -- and the introductory essay by the editor is worth the price of the whole book -- and wonderful anthology of five centuries of Juvenal-lovers should somehow be OUT OF PRINT!!! In a way, it's outrageous, but what can you do?

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in English literary history or in the reception of Roman poetry.It is (/was) a great bargain.Maybe you can find a used copy kicking around . . .I should have bought 2 or 3 copies when I had the chance a couple years ago.Didn't reckon with Penguin's carelessness in keeping their list up to date. ... Read more

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more

Product Description

In this engaging essay Richard Jenkyns shows us how to read three quite different ancient poets. In a close and sensitive reading of Sappho, Catullus, and Juvenal, Jenkyns delineates the uniqueness of the poet's individual voice in relation to poetic traditions. His book constitutes a challenge to the view that one method will suffice for the interpretation of ancient poetry. He seeks to demonstrate that we can have no substitute for flexible and humane judgment, liberated from critical dogma, if we are to understand the great writers of the past. It is Jenkyns' appealing habit to clarify and illustrate his points by drawing analogies from modern and ancient literature. He deploys his wide learning with agility and grace.

Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

Product Description
This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishings Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the worlds literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone! ... Read more