The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe

By Achilles Tatius

Book Overview

The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is an ancient Greek romance novel by Achilles Tatius. Considered an important predecessor to the modern novel, The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe has served as a model for such writers as Eusthathius Macrembolites and Alonso Nu ez de Reinoso. The novel remains central to scholarship regarding the tradition of Greek romance novels written within the vast Roman Empire, and has been translated into numerous languages throughout the centuries. Of particular interest is its uncommon usage of first person narration, as well as its employment of ekphrasis and mythological digressions, formulas now commonplace, albeit in varying ways, within modern novel writing. Clitophon is a young man engaged to be married to his half-sister, Calligone. When his distant cousin Leucippe comes to Tyre to visit family, however, Clitophon finds himself hopelessly in love with her. As his wedding day approaches, Clitophon struggles with whether to commit to his vows or follow his wayward heart. Before he can decide, however, a man intending to kidnap Leucippe accidentally takes Calligone to Byzantium instead, where she is forced into marriage with Kallisthenes, her captor. No longer tied to his vows, Clitophon pursues Leucippe, with whom he elopes after a period of rejection from her mother. Sailing from Tyre, they are shipwrecked during a violent storm. Washing up on the coast of Egypt, Clitophon is rescued while Leucippe is captured by a group of bandits who resolve to sacrifice the young maiden. The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is a story of love at first sight, of trial and error, and the lengths to which lovers will go to live with and for one another. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Achilles Tatius' The Love of Clitophon and Leucippe is a classic of ancient Greek literature reimagined for modern readers.

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• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1513277545
• ISBN13: 9781513277547
• Release Date: August 2021
• Publisher: Mint Editions
• Length: 72 Pages
• Weight: 0.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Very readable

Overall Leucippe and Clitophon was very readable. It itself is organized into eight "books" or chapters with numbered divisions internally (though I considered these internal divisions unnecessary). This book also has a well-developed introduction with a timeline put this novel in the historical context. Furthermore, the explanatory notes at the end help clear up any obscure cultural or social references. The plot of Leucippe and Clitophon is meant to be universal, though at times you will have to suspend your disbelief. There are many exciting and unexpected anecdotes occurring throughout the tale, but as always, the boy gets the girl at the end.

Enoyable romance/adventure

These days there is a genre of romantic literature set in a romaticized, fictional Victorian era. It's interesting that, even in classical Roman times, an analogous kind of writing existed. Leucippe and Clitophon, written in Roman times, was set in the still older Greece. It's an adventure story with all the trimmings - wrecks at sea, love lost and regained a number of times, travels across the known world, mistaken identities, courtroom drama, and lots more. The premise behind all this is Clitophon's passion for the chaste (and chased) Leucippe. The details are too much to tell, but chains of improbable events keep the lovers just moments from consummation until the very end, when all the other loose ends are tied up as well. This could be read as a drama, with waves of emotion cresting and crashing at each gain or loss. It may be easier to read this as comedy, though, especially near the end. There are so many silly subplots and misunderstandings, before all is made right, that it get just a little hard to take seriously. It's also easy to read this as an academic translation. Although the story is pleasant enough, the reading isn't as smooth or idiomatic as I'd hope, and the footnotes add technical detail without insight that supports the story. As translations go, however, some are lots worse. This is a pleasant romp. Despite it's talk of eroticism, the physical passions are mostly hoped or imagined. That leaves an enjoyable, safe story of adventure and romance. It's goofy and overdrawn, but fun. //wiredweird