Reviews

Everyone in this book is a scumbag, Pederast, thief, pervert, or liar; usually a combination of all. Obscenities litter this book and there are scenes so distasteful that the reader can only hope for the end of it. It is also uproariously funny and I found myself laughing out loud throughout the whole book. A sneak peak into the vulgarity of a long dead culture which I find incredibly important. The vulgar is so often ignored or left unwritten in history and books like the satyricon or the decameron or Canterbury tales is a refreshing look at the low humor that is part of humanity. I only wish we had more of the book but I'll settle for what I can get

irenegoddess's review against another edition

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dark lighthearted tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

casparb's review against another edition

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Petronius is one we see all over the place but it seems isn’t too popular lately which I find a shame because this was a shock a delightful encounter for the most part. It’s also incredibly horny & we learn a lot about roman sexuality even if we’ve encountered certain poets this is an exceptionally gay book. Tonally sits somewhere between Sade and Candide. The great set piece is Trimalchio’s Feast but we ought not forget the rapid rabid goose attacks & surprise elderly pegging that goes on after. The Fragments are also v interesting and worth one’s time as poetry they turn the piece around & we have something rawly beautiful (though as P has explained - Beauty is not enough)