art, academic and non-fiction books
publishers’ Eastern and Central European representation

Name your list

Log in / Sign in

ta strona jest nieczynna, ale zapraszamy serdecznie na stronę www.obibook.com /// this website is closed but we cordially invite you to visit www.obibook.com

ISBN: PB: 9781906188030

Carcanet

August 2010

96 pp.

21.6x13.5 cm

PB:
£9,95
QTY:

Hesiod's Calendar

The ancient Greek poet Hesiod is best known for two poems, the "Theogony" and the "Works and Days". The "Theogony" gives an account of the creation of the universe andthe war between the Titans and Olympians, while "Works and Days" offers plain-speaking advice on everything from how to cut timber for a plough to behaviour best avoided at a holy banquet. Hesiod's Calendar brings each poem to life in two robustly colloquial sonnet sequences. Saxton's fresh and witty treatment re-imagines the original texts for modern readers, in poetry that is faithful to the mythic power and the vivid immediacy of the ancient works. The poet's introduction and detailed notes provide a fascinating insight into a dialogue between two poets across the centuries.

Reviews

"It's a bold deed to summon up Hesiod in eighty sonnets. The form, both familiar and odd, may shock us into a wakeful reading. For this is not at all an antiquarian version of two ancient texts. On the contrary, Robert Saxton addresses us here and now in the Age of Iron and makes us wonder how much longer Earth will endure our stay" – David Constantine