Catullus’ Bedspread
The Life of Rome’s Most Erotic Poet
Format:Paperback
Publisher:HarperCollins Publishers
Published:12th Jan '17
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This biography of Gaius Valerius Catullus reveals the life of Rome's first great poet, exploring his passionate love and sharp critiques of society.
In Catullus’ Bedspread, readers are introduced to Gaius Valerius Catullus, recognized as Rome's first great poet. This biography delves into the life of a man who was not only a literary genius but also a passionate dandy. Catullus's infatuation with another man's wife, which he boldly expressed through his poetry, serves as a central theme of this work. His verses reveal the depths of his emotions and the complexities of love, making his story both personal and universal.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous period in history, capturing the essence of life in the crumbling Roman Republic. Through Daisy Dunn's insightful writing, readers experience the decadence and debauchery that characterized this era. The book offers a rare glimpse into the societal dynamics of the time, seen through the eyes of one of Rome's most celebrated poets. Dunn's portrayal of Catullus is vivid, shedding light on the poet's relationships and the political landscape that influenced his work.
Catullus's poetry, particularly his love elegies dedicated to the enigmatic 'Lesbia,' showcases his ability to blend scandal with tenderness. His sharp critiques of prominent figures like Pompey and Julius Caesar further highlight his literary prowess. Catullus’ Bedspread is not just a biography; it is a rich exploration of love, art, and the human experience during one of the most critical moments in world history.
‘An amazing mixture of pacey biography and first rate literary analysis. Rome's most famous bad boy poet comes alive as never before. Stunning’ Boris Johnson
‘A haunting reminder of how little humanity has changed over two thousand years and a moving introduction to the greatest love poet of all time’ Robert Harris
‘Dunn’s beautifully written biography is a superb portrait of this most human of poets who leaps to life, hating and loving as ferociously as ever, before our 21st-century eyes’ Sunday Times
‘Dunn does a brilliant job of recreating Rome in the first century BC … This is a triumph of modern classical scholarship made accessible through lucid writing’ Independent
‘Lyrical, playful and startlingly original … Breathes extraordinary new life into the classical world. An unforgettable journey into the high art and low life of ancient Rome’ Dan Jones
'Simultaneously imaginative and learned, Dunn has written the perfect introduction to Catullus and his world’ Tom Holland
‘Dunn’s brilliant new biography of the Roman master will shine beams of light on his darkly passionate poetry’ Professor Paul Cartledge
‘Dunn succeeds through a confection of history, literary criticism and imaginative travelogue. She is an appreciative and observant guide, pointing to continuities in the landscape and teasing out ancient allusions … Dunn’s prose is Catullan in its versatility: she can be deliciously coarse and … lyrical. She marshals the poems into a life story … Like a good music album … An imaginative, enriching and quick-witted book reminds us that Catullus is a poet for all time’ Standpoint
‘Imaginatively revive[s] this most accessible of Roman poets’ Financial Times
‘Enjoyable and diligently researched … Dunn is as a sure-footed and elegant literary critic … ‘Catullus’ Bedspread’ is richly woven, and Dunn’s deep passion for her subject is patent’ Spectator
ISBN: 9780007554324
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 25mm
Weight: 300g
320 pages