An Imaginary Life
Back of the Book
In the first century AD, Publius Ovidius Naso, the most urbane and irreverent poet of imperial Rome, was banished to a remote village on the edge of the Black Sea. From these sparse facts, one of our most distinguished novelists has fashioned an audacious and supremely moving work of fiction. Marooned on the edge of the known world, exiled from his native tongue, Ovid depends on the kindness of barbarians who impate their dead and converse with the spirit world. But then he becomes the guardian of a still more savage creature, a feral child who has grown up among deer. What ensues is a luminous encounter between civilization and nature, as enacted by a poet who once cataloged the treacheries of love and a boy who slowly learns how to give it.
We Love It Because
Malouf’s reimagining of Ovid becomes an homage to the ancient poet’s own depictions of complicated love. An utterly unique and thought provoking look at what it means to be taught how to love, a meditation on the place of love in the act of civilization, and the very privilege of being able to love as a right.
Memorable Passage
If the gods are with you there, glowing out of a tree in some pasture or shaking their spirit over the pebbles of a brook in clear sunlight, in wells, in springs, in a stone that marks the edge of your legal right over a hillside; if the gods are there, it is because you have discovered them there
About the Author
David Malouf, born on March 20, 1934, is an Australian novelist, poet, and short story writer whose literary contributions have earned him acclaim for his profound exploration of identity, history, and the human experience. With a career spanning several decades, Malouf's works, including the novel Remembering Babylon and the collection of stories Dream Stuff, reflect his ability to weave intricate narratives that resonate with universal themes. Worth knowing for his lyrical prose and keen observations on the Australian landscape, Malouf's writing transcends geographical boundaries, offering readers a nuanced understanding of the complexities of cultural and personal identity. His works often delve into the intersection of history and individual lives, demonstrating a deep empathy for his characters and a commitment to portraying the intricacies of the human condition. David Malouf's literary legacy is characterized by his capacity to illuminate the beauty and challenges of existence, making him a significant figure in the world of contemporary literature.
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