Lucian's Science Fiction Novel True Histories: Interpretation and Commentary (Mnemosyne, Bibliotheca Classica Batava Supplementum) (Mnemosyne Supplements) [Hardcover]

Aristoula Georgiadou (Author), David H. J. Larmour (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 9004106677 | ISBN-13: 978-9004106673 | Publication Date: May 1, 1998

This is the first substantial commentary on Lucian's "Verae Historiae" ("True Histories"), a fantastic journey narrative considered the earliest surviving example of Science Fiction in the Western tradition. The Introduction situates the work in the context of Lucian's oeuvre, especially his preoccupation with distinguishing truth from fiction and exposing the lies of philosophers. In their commentary, the editors trace the sources and the meaning of the numerous intertextual allusions and parodies of philosophers, poets, historians and paradoxographers. The "Verae Historiae" emerges from this scrutiny as a remarkably complex text with some very "modern" concerns: it problematizes the act of reading, allegorical interpretation, authorial reliability, and the validity of cultural norms and literary genres.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'"G. & L. can be extremely enlightening in their analysis.'
Tim Whitmarsh, "The Classical Review, 1999.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 252 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Pub (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004106677
• ISBN-13: 978-9004106673
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,408,051 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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