The Songs of Bilitis (Paperback)

~ Pierre Louys (Author), Willy Pogany (Illustrator), Alvah C. Bessie (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Classic of erotic literature (1894), celebrating lesbian love, translation of original edition, complete with 161 sensuous illustrations by Willi Pogany.

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (June 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486256707
• ISBN-13: 978-0486256702
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #510,986 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Literary joke becomes sensual masterpiece..., February 16, 2000

By A Customer

No one knew sensuality like the "Sapphic" Greeks and no one knew the "Sapphic" Greeks like Pierre Louys... well at least he liked to pretend that was the case. The fact is he (or his imagination) was so completely immersed in this culture that his images/syntax/symbols were authentic enough to dupe contemporary classics scholars of his day. Bilitis could have been a protege of Sappho... a literary force in her own right.

5.0 out of 5 stars interesting book, slim, not what I thought., July 2, 2009

By	Michael D. Chlanda - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Songs of Bilitis (Paperback)

This is an interesting book, a slim volume, not quite what I thought (it's also partly in Greek). Worth a look.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for Greek fen, September 24, 2005

By	L. Hale (Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I spent several days skimming this book. If you don't know, it was written by Pierre Louys who claimed he had found the lost works Bilitis in 1894. He perpetuated a really great literary fraud. It wasn't. He made them up. The author was referenced a couple of times in another book I read and I wanted it after reading it. The author of the book that mentioned it discussed it in the context of a person named Natalie Barney and how she should have been wondering about the fact that this gay guy was writing lesbian stuff. As such, well, very historical and I occassionally for the idea that it is classic so I shall like it! That said, it is poetry and it looks good... but honestly, not all my taste. It pretty much has that authentic Greek feel from what I remember reading but yeah. It isn't my taste in general. Well written but not my cup of tea.