Publisher's Synopsis
Sappho and Phaon is a novel written by Mary Robinson, first published in 1796. The book is a fictionalized account of the life of the ancient Greek poet Sappho, who lived on the island of Lesbos in the 6th century BC. The novel tells the story of Sappho's love for a sailor named Phaon, who is said to have been the inspiration for many of her poems.The novel is divided into three parts. The first part describes Sappho's life on Lesbos, her marriage to a wealthy merchant, and her love for another woman named Atthis. The second part of the book tells the story of Sappho's journey to Sicily, where she meets Phaon and falls in love with him. The final part of the book describes Sappho's return to Lesbos and her eventual suicide.Throughout the novel, Robinson portrays Sappho as a passionate and sensitive woman who struggles with her emotions and desires. She also explores themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal. The book is notable for its depiction of same-sex relationships and its sympathetic portrayal of Sappho's life and work.Sappho and Phaon is considered to be one of Robinson's most significant works and is often cited as an early example of lesbian literature. The book has been praised for its lyrical prose and vivid descriptions of ancient Greece.WHY, through each aching vein, with lazy pace Thus steals the languid fountain of my heart, While, from its source, each wild convulsive start Tears the scorch'd roses from my burning face?This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
