The Satyricon (Penguin Classics)

I bought this to research ancient references to werewolves, since this was written in 63 AD, it was a good start. There is only a couple of sentences about the werewolf, most of the book revolves around the escapades of a Roman and his slave boy as they wander in and out of brothels, are invited to grotesque feasts and set sail on a ship for seas unknown. An interesting look at what it was like to be young and horny in ancient Rome.

There are entertaining exchanges and adventures among the characters in this fiction, presumably based on real life rogues in the time of Nero. The footnotes are very good to make the best of the references to gods and others, although it is a pain to go back and forth from the text to the back pages. It brings to life the follies of ancient Rome, many of which ring true today. There are many gaps in the text (lost in time), so this is not a page-turner. The cover, by the way, is the ancient equivalent in mosaic of "Beware the Dog!"

The translator capitalised "god" and used "God Almighty" in the translation. Such wording makes this translation out of place. Should bought another translation.

so difficult to understand!

will buy again

In what is arguably the first novel in western literature, Petronius’ Satyricon is a remarkable, shockingly vivid account of life under Nero. Blending poetry, picaresque allegory, and reportage, the Satyricon is a miracle of artistic representation. While readers may find it difficult to enter into the remote world of ancient Roman life in this way, there are scenes here that are overflowing with detail and structure. (The dinner scene with Trimalchio is decisive in this regard).

OK, it’s a classic I suppose, but not my cup of tea. Rarely don’t finish books, but this was one of them. If this was required reading….would have finished it, but it wasn’t, so I didn’t.

An amazing look back in time. This is what novelist dream of? To record time&space for the future etc?

A wonderfully funny translation which reads easily in a modern world. Using it to back up Latin lessons where we are working on the expurgated version, which is missing the juicy bits!

This translation is clear and easy to read with useful notes.

Very nice translation, not at all heavy going and very easy to read

J.P. Sullivan's excellent translation of a challenging and mysterious novel (even now!) remains fresh and modern whilst capturing the original flavour of the text. It is accompanied by a useful introduction and helpful explanatory notes, which can help unravel some of the oddities of what Petronius writes. The translation to me also seems to be more readable and free-flowing than the Oxford World's Classics edition, and has better print quality. Sullivan's translation is useful both for readers without any knowledge of Latin and for Latin students who wish to explore some Petronius! Definitely worth the money in my view.