If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho

by Sappho, translated by Anne Carson
If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho cover
Good Books rating 4.3
Poetry
Technical
  • ID: 1495
  • Added: 2025-10-07
  • Updated: 2025-10-07
  • Publisher: Knopf
  • Published: 2002-01-01
  • Reviews: 4

If Not, Winter presents a meticulous and poetic translation of Sappho's fragments by acclaimed poet and classicist Anne Carson. This collection not only brings to life the ancient poet's work but also offers a unique perspective through Carson's modern lens, making Sappho's voice feel both timeless and immediate. The book includes the original Greek text alongside Carson's translations, providing a dual-layered reading experience that enriches the understanding of Sappho's enduring legacy. /n/n Carson's translation is celebrated for its ability to capture the essence of Sappho's poetry, which explores themes of love, longing, and the human condition. The book is a testament to Carson's skill as both a translator and a poet, offering readers a profound and intimate connection to one of history's most influential poets. This edition is a must-read for lovers of classical literature and contemporary poetry alike.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-01-01
profound 4.50

The translation beautifully captures Sappho's reflections on love, desire, and relationships. The work is both intimate and profound, offering a unique perspective on ancient poetry.

This review highlights the translation's ability to convey the depth and beauty of Sappho's original work. They appreciate how the translator brings to life Sappho's emotions and experiences, making them feel relevant and poignant even today. The reviewer finds the book to be a profound exploration of love and desire, and the way it is presented makes it accessible and engaging. They also mention how the work's structure and format enhance the reading experience, making it a unique and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Her translation illuminates Sappho's reflections on love and desire.

    The work is both intimate and profound.

    The book offers a unique perspective on ancient poetry.

Lesbrary · 2024-01-27
innovative 4.00

The book's unique format, with mostly blank pages and sparse fragments, creates a meditative and reflective reading experience. The translator's choices add layers of meaning and depth to the ancient text.

The reviewer is struck by the book's unconventional format, which they find both challenging and rewarding. They appreciate how the sparse fragments allow for contemplation and interpretation, making the reading experience deeply personal. They also highlight the translator's skill in adding layers of meaning and depth to the ancient text, making it feel fresh and relevant. The reviewer finds this approach both innovative and respectful to the original work, and they enjoy the way it invites the reader to engage with the text on multiple levels.

Quick quotes

    Each page is mostly blank, with one to a handful of fragments on them.

    The reverse of each page holds Eva ...

    The translator's choices add layers of meaning and depth to the ancient text.

Rebecca Reid Reviews · Rebecca Reid · 2012-04-10
awe-inspiring 4.50

The translation is both beautiful and awe-inspiring, with a craftsmanship that makes the ancient poetry feel contemporary. The reviewer found themselves constantly awed by the beauty of the language.

Rebecca Reid expresses her admiration for the translation work in 'If Not, Winter', noting that she expected to like it but was constantly awed by its beauty. She highlights the exceptional craftsmanship in the translations, which bring Sappho's ancient poetry to life in a way that feels both timeless and contemporary. The reviewer's enthusiasm for the book is evident, making it a standout read.

Quick quotes

    So glad you enjoyed the book!

    I expected I'd like it when I read it but I didn't expect I would be constantly awed.

    Beautiful poetry even in fragments.

Dooney's Cafe · 2004-11-11
thought-provoking 4.20

The book provokes thought about form and transformations, making it a thought-provoking read. The translator's choices and the structure of the book add to its unique appeal.

The reviewer finds the book to be a thought-provoking exploration of form and transformations. They appreciate how the translator's choices and the structure of the book add to its unique appeal, making it a standout work. They also mention how the book challenges traditional notions of poetry and translation, inviting the reader to think deeply about the text and its presentation. The reviewer finds this approach both engaging and intellectually stimulating, and they enjoy the way it pushes the boundaries of what poetry can be.

Quick quotes

    Provokes similar thinking about form, the act and transformations that take ...

    The translator's choices and the structure of the book add to its unique appeal.

    The book challenges traditional notions of poetry and translation.

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