The Complete Odes and Satires of Horace
Alexander's translations join David Ferry's version of the Odes (LJ 1/98) and Peter Levi's biography (Horace: A Life, LJ 3/15/98) in a recent resurgence of interest in the great Roman poet. Friend and contemporary of Virgil and the Emperor Augustus, Horace was the embodiment of gentle irony and sophistication. Alexander, a poet, novelist, playwright, and Renaissance historian who has also translated Michelangelo and Guicciardini, sees Horace as the quintessential Italian. Alexander's translations are accurate yet vigorous and fluent, avoiding both archaisms and contemporary idioms. The accompanying introduction, textual notes, and bibliography are useful without being overwhelming. While it would have been nice if the Latin had been included on facing pages, as in Ferry's version, Alexander's is an attractive contribution.AThomas L. Cooksey, Armstrong State Coll., Savannah, GACopyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.