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The Golden Ass Paperback – Illustrated, 20 September 1998
by
Apuleius
(Author)
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The story of a man whose obsession with witchcraft leads him to be transformed into an ass
Written towards the end of the second century AD, The Golden Ass tells the story of the many adventures of a young man whose fascination with witchcraft leads him to be transformed into a donkey. The bewitched Lucius passes from owner to owner - encountering a desperate gang of robbers and being forced to perform lewd 'human' tricks on stage - until the Goddess Isis finally breaks the spell and Lucius is initiated into her cult. Apuleius' enchanting story has inspired generations of writers such as Boccaccio, Shakespeare, Cervantes and Keats with its dazzling combination of allegory, satire, bawdiness and sheer exuberance, and remains the most continuously and accessibly amusing book to have survived from Classical antiquity.
Written towards the end of the second century AD, The Golden Ass tells the story of the many adventures of a young man whose fascination with witchcraft leads him to be transformed into a donkey. The bewitched Lucius passes from owner to owner - encountering a desperate gang of robbers and being forced to perform lewd 'human' tricks on stage - until the Goddess Isis finally breaks the spell and Lucius is initiated into her cult. Apuleius' enchanting story has inspired generations of writers such as Boccaccio, Shakespeare, Cervantes and Keats with its dazzling combination of allegory, satire, bawdiness and sheer exuberance, and remains the most continuously and accessibly amusing book to have survived from Classical antiquity.
- ISBN-100140435905
- ISBN-13978-0140435900
- Edition3rd
- PublisherPenguin
- Publication date20 September 1998
- LanguageEnglish
- Dimensions12.95 x 1.91 x 19.81 cm
- Print length320 pages
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Product description
About the Author
Lucius Apuleius (2nd Century AD) North African fubulist, who Latinized the Greek myths and legends. He travelled widely, visiting Italy, Asia &c and was there initiated into numerous religious mysteries. The knowledge which he thus acquired of the priestly fraternities he drew on for his Golden Ass.
E.J. Kenney is Emeritus Kennedy Professor of Latin in the University of Cambridge. His publications include a critical edition of Ovid's amatory works. He is a Fellow of the British Academy.
E.J. Kenney is Emeritus Kennedy Professor of Latin in the University of Cambridge. His publications include a critical edition of Ovid's amatory works. He is a Fellow of the British Academy.
Product details
- Publisher : Penguin; 3rd edition (20 September 1998)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 320 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0140435905
- ISBN-13 : 978-0140435900
- Dimensions : 12.95 x 1.91 x 19.81 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 184,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
188 global ratings
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Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Golden Ass revisited.
Reviewed in the United States on 28 June 2023Verified Purchase
I first read this book when I graduated from the children's section of the library to the adult section in Wichita of the early 50's. The times were different then and I'm sure I didn't understand all of the situations. I enjoyed the read anew as I didn't remember much except for the violent parts. Interesting.

Djalma M. Argollo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Um clássico da literatura
Reviewed in Brazil on 31 August 2021Verified Purchase
Um clássico é um clássico. Ele nos informa dos usos e costumes de uma determinada época