6 Book Recommendations from a Classics Student

Good afternoon, Nooklings.

With all the attention on the Odyssey recently and a renewed public interest in Classics, I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite books. These include Roman and Greek poetry, and some Greek drama. Some of these are definitely not family-friendly.

Anne Carson, If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho

ISBN: 978-1-84408-081-6

Sappho was a Greek poet; she wrote about love and family. Sadly, most of Sappho's poetry only survives in fragments, sometimes only a few words, but they are very beautiful fragments.

Teens and up: I feel that a lot of teens and younger adults would be able to relate to Sappho's yearning.

Catullus, The Complete Poems

ISBN 978-0-19-953757-0

Catullus was a Roman poet who somehow seemed to master yearning and disdain in equal parts. Imagine the kind of poetry you'd write at age 17. This edition has a Latin parallel text, so it's great for those studying Latin.

Not family-friendly: Catullus can be vulgar at times, so this one is not family-friendly.

Livy, The History of Rome Books I-V

ISBN 978-0-87220-723-3

This was one of my set books for my BA, and I fell in love with Livy. His History of Rome is not only a chronological account of Rome's history but also, for the Roman people, it was an exemplary text. It taught people the right and wrong ways to behave in their public and personal lives, so it also gives you a bit of insight into Roman ideals.

Suitable for teens and up: It's Roman history, so there is some sex and violence, but it's not overly graphic.

Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

ISBN: 978-1-4088-9138-4

"I would recognise you in total darkness, were you mute and I deaf. I would recognise you in another lifetime entirely, in different bodies, different times. And I would love you in all of this, until the very last star in the sky burnt out into oblivion." Need I say more? I will say more, but I really don't need to. This is a retelling of the Trojan War from the perspective of Patroclus and follows his relationship with Achilles.

Teens and up: Suitable for older teens and upwards.

Martial, Epigrams

ISBN: 978-0-19-964545-9

Martial is vulgar, and I adore him. He loves to insult everyone in Rome, and it's a very fun read if you're not easily offended. Another one with parallel Latin text.

Adults only: Definitely family-friendly

Euripides, Medea

ISBN: 978-0-521-64479-2

This is one of my set books for next year at uni, but I had already bought it early this year after seeing Medea performed live. Medea is a heartbreaking drama, and if you don't already hate Jason, you will after reading this.

Adults only: There are some very difficult themes in this one, and while some older teens may be able to handle them, I wouldn't feel comfortable recommending it.

There are others I would recommend that I've read passages of but don't have copies of... yet. So watch this space for more recommendations.