Sappho's Journal

Paul Alexander BartlettProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 227K words
Chapters: 23

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Sappho's Journal by Paul Alexander BartlettAuthor: Bartlett, Paul Alexander, 1909-1990,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Apr 17, 2012

Editor's review

This work is a literary creation by Paul Alexander Bartlett inspired by the ancient Greek poet Sappho, falling under the category of American literature and released free through Project Gutenberg. It is not a translation of Sappho's poems but an imaginative writing undertaken in Sappho's name, suited to readers interested in modern renditions of classical subjects. Presented in diary form, the book lets readers enter a reimagined ancient female inner world through a first-person perspective. As a public-domain ebook, its value lies in offering an easily accessible textual sample for literature enthusiasts, comparative literature researchers, or creative writing students to observe how later writers appropriate classical figures. It should not be read as historical material or an introduction to Sappho studies, but rather as a literary text with fictional elements, with attention to its narrative perspective and language style. Its length and scope suit segmented reading during commutes or short intervals, and it can also serve as supplementary material for classroom discussions of classical reception history.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Literary readers interested in modern rewritings of ancient Greek subjects
Scholars studying the reception of classical figures in later literature
Readers who enjoy diary-form, first-person narratives
Creative writing students in need of free public-domain English texts

Not a good fit for

Readers seeking Sappho's original poems or reliable translations
Beginners needing systematic textbooks on ancient Greek history and literature
Researchers preferring rigorous scholarly annotations and textual criticism

Reading tips

First learn the basic background of Sappho, then enter the text, distinguishing historical fact from fiction.
Read in segments at a diary-like pace, a few entries at a time, noting changes in the narrator's tone.
Read alongside translations of Sappho's fragments to observe how the author adapts classical imagery.
After reading, note anachronisms in the text as material for discussing classical reception.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this book a translation of Sappho's poetry?

No. It is a literary creation by Paul Alexander Bartlett inspired by Sappho, a work of fiction rather than a translation or scholarly edition of Sappho's poems; readers should not use it as a selected collection of Sappho's works.

Do I need knowledge of ancient Greece before reading?

Systematic mastery is not necessary, but familiarity with Sappho's life and basic knowledge of ancient Greek literature will help. Readers entirely new to the subject may first read introductory materials, then enter the text, taking care to distinguish historical background from the author's imagination.

Is this book suitable for academic citation?

As a public-domain electronic text, it can be used to discuss classical reception and literary rewriting, but it should not be used as a primary historical source for Sappho studies. When citing, note that it is a later literary creation and verify reliable edition information.

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About the author

Paul Alexander Bartlett Author · American · 1909–1990

Paul Alexander Bartlett (1909–1990) was an American writer and artist born in Moberly, Missouri. He wrote novels, short stories, and poetry, with subjects ranging from personal spiritual experience to historical imagination: Sappho's Journal and Christ's Journal use the diary form to imagine the inner lives of ancient figures, while Voices from the Past and When the Owl Cries continue his interest in character and memory. He also recorded more than 350 Mexican haciendas in pen-and-ink sketches and photographs; published in 1990, The Haciendas of Mexico: An Artist's Record became an important source for the history and art of these estates. Public information on his life and creative career is limited, and existing accounts center on these works.