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kyatic's reviews
918 reviews
Ultimate Encyclopedia Of Cats, Cat Breeds & Cat Care by Alan Edwards
5.0
THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER. I read it so much as a kid that I nearly broke it in half. I still have the admirable party trick of being able to name approximately three times as many cat breeds as anyone else in the room. God bless this book. God bless.
Come Close by Sappho
4.0
The translation provided here is definitely more simplistic and - dare I say it - less poetic than others that I've come across, but there are still some really beautiful moments here. I'd recommend it as a gateway to seeking more lyrical translations.
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot
5.0
I haven't read this book since I was about 7 years old and decided to recite it at our school's recitation competition. As such, my 5 star rating is entirely based on the fact that this collection of poetry was my absolute favourite thing in the world when I was a child. I even preferred it to runner beans, which I used to eat by the trough. I may not have been the most normal of children.
If I were to reread this book now, coming at it from the angle of an adult with an English degree and a greater knowledge of TS Eliot, I'm sure I'd knock at least a star off. Until such a time, however, I'm sticking my feet into the ground and giving it the 5 star rating that my 7 year old self would undoubtedly eagerly bestow upon it. I want to believe.
If I were to reread this book now, coming at it from the angle of an adult with an English degree and a greater knowledge of TS Eliot, I'm sure I'd knock at least a star off. Until such a time, however, I'm sticking my feet into the ground and giving it the 5 star rating that my 7 year old self would undoubtedly eagerly bestow upon it. I want to believe.
Tales of Ancient Greece by Enid Blyton
4.0
I must have been about 8 when I read this, so my memory of it is a little faded, but I do recall that it was a book that both kindled and sated my childhood obsession with Greek mythology. As a kids' book, it does of course sanitise some of the myths out of necessity - rapes become kidnappings or trysts, and lovers who die together are shown happily reunited in the afterlife - but it's not done in such a way that the original narrative is lost. I'd be quite interested to dig out my old copy - which I think must be from the '70s - and see how it compares to the stories as I now know them. Nonetheless, I can quite certainly attribute this book as being the spark that set off a lifelong fascination. Thanks, Enid. You're a pal.
I Hate and I Love by Catullus
4.0
Perhaps it's in part to the translation, which I've since researched and found to be largely considered overtly stylised, but I was surprised by the modern tone that a lot of this poetry took. I was also interested to see the contrast between the famous Lesbia poems and the less well-known odes to some of Catullus' male friends and possible lovers - those who are expecting a book of love poetry to one woman, as Catullus' work is so often marketed, will not find their expectations met.
As well as some particularly scorchin' verses extolling the virtues of his lovers' bodies, there are some hilariously caustic criticisms and downright catty rebukes here. Catullus is widely renowned for his satirical abilities and his sharp tongue, and both are on display in this short collection.
Given the generally accepted unfaithfulness of the translation, I'll certainly be seeking out some more closely translated versions of Catullus' work to see exactly where Catullus comes into his own, but this is still an incredibly enjoyable introduction.
As well as some particularly scorchin' verses extolling the virtues of his lovers' bodies, there are some hilariously caustic criticisms and downright catty rebukes here. Catullus is widely renowned for his satirical abilities and his sharp tongue, and both are on display in this short collection.
Given the generally accepted unfaithfulness of the translation, I'll certainly be seeking out some more closely translated versions of Catullus' work to see exactly where Catullus comes into his own, but this is still an incredibly enjoyable introduction.