Reviews

Safo by Sappho

otherlily's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

hbermudes's review against another edition

Go to review page

So I'm not going to rate an ancient greek poet's only known lyric fragments, but I'll comment on Mary Barnard's translation. She has a very direct approach and is transparent about this. She claims to not add embellishments or anything to make the writing more /poetic/, preferring to let the poems remain direct and simple, "as they were written". With translation of poetry- especially ancient greek poetry- it's impossible to really get at the true character of it all.
I found the discussion of who Sappho was unsatisfying because of the way sexuality was danced around. However, Barnard didn't offer a definitive "she /was/ this, she /wasn't/ this," which I appreciate. It is amazing to me how people continue to write about Sappho of Lesbos without using the words sapphic or lesbian.

kchamberlin04's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

bbygrey's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging inspiring fast-paced

4.0

hailey_p's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

3.75

timkruper's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad fast-paced

3.75

lcvesbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

sapphic poetry is the best poetry.

berrycedar's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

So bold. Juicy, filled with yearning and jealousy.

carcookie12's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny mysterious sad fast-paced

3.75

dellohel's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

beautiful!!!!!! already looking forward to a reread