Research Catalog

Title

Switch : the complete Catullus / Isobel Williams.

Author

Catullus, Gaius Valerius

Publication

Manchester : Carcanet Classics, 2023.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Williams, Isobel, 1954-
• Carcanet Press (Manchester, England), publisher.

Description

220 pages : illustrations; 22 cm

Summary

During the latter phases of Covid, Isobel Williams completed her celebrated translations of the polyamorous ancient Roman poet Catullus. The poems that proved impossible when she prepared Shibari Carmina, published to acclaim in 2021, finally surrendered to her. 'Translating Catullus has been, for me, like cage fighting with two opponents, not just A Top Poet, but the schoolgirl I was, trained to show the examiner that she knew what each word meant.' The conflict was resolved by a third component, the context of shibari, a Japanese form of rope bondage with its own knotty terminology. Due to its severe restraints Catullus came alive in all his 'tormented intelligence and romantic versatility'. Critics called the work 'explosive and impactful', 'one of the most exciting translation volumes of recent years', 'lyrical, funny, engaging, and insightful', 'a bracingly foul, but also a shrewd and funny Catullus' - 'Isobel Williams' naughty translation puts the Roman poet in a bondage dungeon.' He will never be quite the same again. Switch joins Carcanet's Classics series. Like its incomplete predecessor it is illustrated with bondage drawings by the translator herself. She adds a 'who shagged whom' chart so readers can move confidently from one engagement to the next.

Alternative Title

Complete Catullus

Subject

• Catullus, Gaius Valerius > Translations into English
• Catullus, Gaius Valerius
• Poetry > Translating
• Latin poetry > Translations into English
• Latin poetry
• Poetry > Translating

Genre/Form

Translations

Language (note)

• Translated from the Latin.

Call Number

JFD 23-2186

ISBN

• 9781800173392
• 1800173393
• 9781800173408 (canceled/invalid)

OCLC

1390472149

Author

Catullus, Gaius Valerius, author.

Title

Switch : the complete Catullus / Isobel Williams.

Publisher

Manchester : Carcanet Classics, 2023.

Type of Content

text

still image

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Language

Translated from the Latin.

Place of Publication

Great Britain England Manchester.

Added Author

Williams, Isobel, 1954- translator, illustraor.

Carcanet Press (Manchester, England), publisher.

Other Form:

ebook version : 9781800173408

Research Call Number

JFD 23-2186