The Golden Ass

Apuleius, E. J. Kenney, E. J. Kenney

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Paperback

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Penguin
20 September 1998

Literature, Poetry & Criticism; Literary essays; Literary studies: classical, early & medieval; Classic fiction (pre c 1945); Penguin Black Classics

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.

By: Apuleius
Edited by: E. J. Kenney
Translated by: E. J. Kenney
Imprint: Penguin
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 18mm
Weight: 236g
ISBN: 9780140435900
ISBN 10: 0140435905
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 20 September 1998
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

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.

Reviews for The Golden Ass

The greatest magical-realist novel was written in the second century AD. It's a rollicking tale of a hero turns into a donkey containing everything from cheerfully obscene, farcical episodes to an exquisitely poetic rendering of the legend of Cupid and Psyche. People call it 'modern', but that is to flatter ourselves. Review by Nicci French, whose books include 'Killing Me Softly' (Kirkus UK)