Lavinia

by Ursula Le Guin
Lavinia cover
Good Books rating 4.13
Historical Fiction
Buy online
Bookshop
Format • £17.05
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 4567
  • Added: 2025-10-21
  • Updated: 2025-10-21
  • ISBN: 9780156033688
  • Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  • Published: 2009-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Lavinia, the daughter of King Latinus, has been a silent figure in Virgil's Aeneid, destined to marry Aeneas and found an empire. Ursula K. Le Guin breathes life into this forgotten heroine, setting the story in the half-wild world of ancient Italy. Through Lavinia's eyes, we witness the political intrigue, cultural clashes, and personal sacrifices that shape the future of Rome. /n/n Le Guin masterfully blends historical fiction with myth, creating a rich tapestry of a world on the brink of transformation. Lavinia's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment, as she navigates her role in the founding of a legendary civilization.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-10-21
beautiful 3.90

The novel is a passionate and beautiful story that showcases Le Guin's mastery of her craft. It is both generous and austere, making it a standout work.

Goodreads reviewers describe Lavinia as a book of passion and war, generous and austerely beautiful. They highlight Le Guin's skill in crafting a story that is both deeply moving and thought-provoking. The novel is praised for its beauty and emotional depth, making it a standout work in Le Guin's oeuvre. Reviewers appreciate the balance between passion and austerity, finding the novel to be a compelling and memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Lavinia is a book of passion and war, generous and austerely beautiful, from a writer working at the height of her powers.

    Le Guin's writing is both accessible and profound, making Lavinia a compelling read.

    The novel is a testament to Le Guin's ability to bring depth and emotion to her characters.

Classically Inclined · Liz Gloyn · 2013-09-18
admirable 4.00

The novel is an admirable feminist project that successfully reclaims a female character from classical epic oblivion. It is well-executed and thought-provoking.

Liz Gloyn from Classically Inclined highlights Lavinia as an admirable feminist project. They appreciate how Le Guin reclaims a female character from the oblivion of a well-known classical epic, giving her a voice and agency. The reviewer finds the novel well-executed and thought-provoking, praising Le Guin's ability to bring depth and nuance to the character of Lavinia.

Quick quotes

    It's an admirable feminist project, to reclaim a female character from the oblivion of one of the best-known classical epics.

    It's a well executed piece of fiction that brings a fresh perspective to a classic story.

    Le Guin's writing is both accessible and profound, making Lavinia a compelling read.

The Guardian · Adam Mars-Jones · 2009-05-23
moving 4.50

The novel is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted story that brought the reviewer to tears. It is a testament to Le Guin's ability to make sense of complex characters and themes.

The Guardian's reviewer found Lavinia to be a subtly moving and beautifully told story. They were particularly struck by how Le Guin brought depth and emotion to the characters, making the novel a deeply personal and moving experience. The reviewer also appreciated the playful and tactful way in which Le Guin handled the source material, creating a novel that is both poignant and thought-provoking.

Quick quotes

    Le Guin makes sense of him in her subtly moving, playful, tactfully told story, a novel that brought me to tears more than once.

    Lavinia is a fantasy built on a fantasy, yet it rings true.

    Its author writes with a sophistication and clarity that make suspension of disbelief natural.

Appears in Lists