The Fables of Avianus
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Authors
Avianus
Slavitt, David R
Issue Date
1993
Type
Book, Whole
Language
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Alternative Title
Abstract
A delightful set of Avianus' forty-two fables. Slavitt has no hesitation in going further than Avianus. He feels free to develop the fable beyond Avianus' words. He finds Avianus playful, ornate, hyperbolic, grotesque, even camp. If Slavitt can use contemporary phrases to help this interpretation of Avianus, he will do so. So the wolf in I waits weeks for the nurse to toss the baby. The fox says to the quack frog in VI Following your advice, we'd all croak ! Slavitt adds to XIV a new, strong finish: Laughter at the doting monkey mother's prejudice gives way to awe-struck silence at her blind passion's truth. Charlie the Tuna with good taste is mentioned (XXXVIII), and a lion exhorts a goat (XXVI) to come down and enjoy the thyme of your life! XVII, XVIII, and XXV are among the best of these fables. Four strong two-colored illustrations on ii, 8, 28, and 42. Is it standard that a paperback book has the same ISBN number as the hardbound version?
Description
Citation
Publisher
Johns Hopkins University Press