Robert Graves Boeken

Temidden van de vele boeken die aan de Griekse mythologie zijn gewijd, nemen de twee deeltjes The Greek Myths, door Robert Graves (1895-1985) voor de bekende Pelican-reeks geschreven, een heel eigen plaats in. Ze vallen op door drie zaken: de uitvoerigheid waarmee verschillende versies van zo goed als alle Griekse mythen worden verhaald; de nauwkeurigheid in de vermelding van antieke bronnen; de fantasierijke interpretaties die Graves van de mythen geeft. De nu in een verzorgd gebonden deel verschenen vertaling van deze zeer boeiende, maar met voorzichtigheid te hanteren boekjes, is uitstekend. Een beetje jammer is dat er voor 'argeloze gebruikers' geen inleiding is toegevoegd over de bijzondere theorieen die Graves er met betrekking tot de Griekse mythologie op na hield (hij beschouwde de meeste mythen als een weergave van de overgang van een matriarchale naar een partiarchale samenleving; voor deze ontwikkeling is geen enkel bewijs te leveren!)

Dat hebben we gehad behoort tot de absolute hoogtepunten uit de literatuur over de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Dichter Robert Graves beschrijft zijn persoonlijke ervaringen aan het front, die tekenend zijn voor de Britse soldaten in de Franse en Vlaamse loopgraven. Behalve een verslag van het oneindig bloedvergieten, de wanhoop en de heuse gekte in het slijk van de loopgraven, is het boek een weergaloos tijdsdocument van de jaren na de oorlog, van 1918 tot 1929. Graves, die Engeland in 1927 de rug toekeerde, geeft een uiterst venijnige kritiek op talloze politieke en literaire figuren uit zijn omgeving. Hij neemt niet alleen afscheid van de valse heroïek die de officiële oorlogspropaganda typeert, maar ook van Engeland en alles waar dat voor staat. Dat hebben we gehad, waarin Graves zijn verbeelding van de loopgravenoorlog geeft, groeide uit tot een onomstreden klassieker

Clau-Clau-Claudius the stammerer was known as a buffoon and a pitiful fool.He made it his business to watch from the sidelines and record the antics, funny, violent and lustful, of the imperial household as its members vied with each other for power. Then he found himself Emperor.From the great days of Augustus and the cruelties of Tiberius to the deified insanity of Caligula, he records a story breathtaking in its murderousness, greed and folly. Throughout the swings of fortune, his own disastrous love affair with the depraved Messalina and surprisingly successful reign, his voice sometimes puzzled, sometimes rueful, always sane, speaks to us across the centuries in two great, classic historical novels.

The narrative centers on Marie Powell, who marries the renowned poet John Milton at just sixteen, set against the backdrop of the English Civil War. Their union, marked by stark ideological differences—her Royalist views clash with his Parliamentarian beliefs—creates a tumultuous relationship. Through Marie's poignant journals, the story unfolds as a critique of Milton's literary ambition and masculinity. It also captures the intense historical context of 1640s England, highlighting themes of tyranny versus freedom amidst a nation in turmoil.

Graves created a rich mythology where love, fear, fantasy and the supernatural play an essential role. Intimate yet universal, passionate yet precise, their brilliant alchemy of realism and magic made Graves' poems some of the finest. This book presents the achievement of Graves' seventy productive years. schovat popis

Compiled for collectors, book dealers and all who love books, this indispensable volume provides a guide to the value of over 33,000 sought-after books. It includes classic authors from Jane Austen to Oscar Wilde, detective writers from Eric Ambler to Minette Walters, illustrators from Aubrey Beardsley to Florence Upton, and poets from Richard Aldington to Walt Whitman. More than 600 authors and artists are represented, in British and American first editions, limited editions, and important, collectable reprints. As featured on Front Row, Radio 4, and recommended by BBC Homes and Antiques magazine. The tantalizing game of wondering how much your first editions are worth may be continued, with the publication of the Guide to First Edition Prices - Times Literary Supplement.

FIRST AMERICAN EDITION 1973 stated on copyright page, published by Clarkson N. Potter, hardcover with dj. Illustrated by Hans Erni. Publisher's "In this new translation of the Canticles or Song of Songs Robert Graves uses the traditional form of the Hebrew pastoral drama performed at wedding festivals. He has found this preserved in the Codex Sinaiticus, the earliest surviving Greek it assigns parts to bride, bridegroom, bridesmaids and bridesmen. Professor Graves uses all his mastery of language and rhythm to bring a new depth of emotion to this version of the sole Hebrew book in sacred use which concentrated wholly on the theme of love between man and woman--this being regarded by the Council of Jabne as the most important of all religious themes because it prompts the recognition of a deeper love between God and man. In his Introduction, he comments on the origin of the Canticles and on their links with other religions, myths and poems of the Ancient Near East." Rovert Graves is also the author of "The Greek Myths" and "King Jesus"

With the same brilliance that characterized his classic I, Claudius, Robert Graves continues the tumultuous life of the Roman who became emperor in spite of himself and his handicaps. Claudius the God reveals the splendor, vitality and decadence of the Roman Empire through the eyes of the wry and bemused Claudius who reigns as emperor for thirteen years. The crippled Claudius describes himself as the fool of the royal family, whom none of his ambitious and blood-thirsty relatives considered worth the trouble of killing. Once in the throne, however, he finds himself at last at the center of the political maelstrom.

Retells the stories of Greek gods and heroes.

Into the 'autobiography' of Clau-Clau-Claudius, the pitiful stammerer who was destined to become Emperor in spite of himself, Graves packs the everlasting intrigues, the depravity, the bloody purges and mounting cruelty of the reigns of Augustus and Tiberius, soon to culminate in the deified insanity of Caligula. I, Claudius and its sequel, Claudius the God, are among the most celebrated, as well the most gripping historical novels ever written. Cover illustration: Brian Pike