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A review by twicomb
Et Cetera: An Illustrated Guide to Latin Phrases by Maia Lee-Chin
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
An attractive, nicely laid-out book that encourages idle flipping through pages even by those who believe themselves not interested in Latin. Surprise, surprise: they will likely discover they're more interested than they had thought.
The phrases are divided into five themes: Literature; Love, Friendship, and Family; Mythology; Military and Power; Culture and Philosophy. For each phrase, the author provides a literary translation, the attribution, the origin, and a full-page explanation/analysis of the phrase's meaning, source, and applicability today. Each phrase is also accompanied on the facing page by a large illustration done in pencil line and graphic color blocking. These illustrations are very well-done, and capture the powerful emotions that thread through so many of the phrases featured in this book.
I found many new phrases in this book. Here are a few I particularly enjoyed:
"Is venerem e rapido sentiet esse mari" - from Tibullus, "She is like Venus, born from blood and an angry sea."
"Aut viam inventam aut faciam" - from Hannibal Barca, "Either I'll find a way, or I'll make one."
Not all of the phrases are new to readers. Many will ring a bell, which no surprise, given that our language is in large part descended from Latin. The die has been cast, soul sister, one hand washes the other, swan song: It's fascinating how many of these phrases remain in common speech today, although as the author notes, many have been softened in meaning from their original, stronger, implications.
This book would be a great addition to the library of anyone who enjoys languages, history, or learning fascinating random facts. It could also be a great gift for that hard-to-please friend who's always picking up a new hobby, because reading it leaves you feeling like you could spit out fun Latin facts at the next cocktail party you attend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.
The phrases are divided into five themes: Literature; Love, Friendship, and Family; Mythology; Military and Power; Culture and Philosophy. For each phrase, the author provides a literary translation, the attribution, the origin, and a full-page explanation/analysis of the phrase's meaning, source, and applicability today. Each phrase is also accompanied on the facing page by a large illustration done in pencil line and graphic color blocking. These illustrations are very well-done, and capture the powerful emotions that thread through so many of the phrases featured in this book.
I found many new phrases in this book. Here are a few I particularly enjoyed:
"Is venerem e rapido sentiet esse mari" - from Tibullus, "She is like Venus, born from blood and an angry sea."
"Aut viam inventam aut faciam" - from Hannibal Barca, "Either I'll find a way, or I'll make one."
Not all of the phrases are new to readers. Many will ring a bell, which no surprise, given that our language is in large part descended from Latin. The die has been cast, soul sister, one hand washes the other, swan song: It's fascinating how many of these phrases remain in common speech today, although as the author notes, many have been softened in meaning from their original, stronger, implications.
This book would be a great addition to the library of anyone who enjoys languages, history, or learning fascinating random facts. It could also be a great gift for that hard-to-please friend who's always picking up a new hobby, because reading it leaves you feeling like you could spit out fun Latin facts at the next cocktail party you attend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.