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A review by historic_chronicles
Exposed: The Greek and Roman Body by Caroline Vout
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
When we consider the Greek or Roman body, one would most likely immediately turn to the idea of perfection itself often depicted in the cool and classical form of a marble statue such as The Apollo Belvedere.
However, the author thinks of Greco-Roman bodies in a completely refreshing and unique perspective. In Exposed, Vout discusses the body in all varieties: some are soft and full of flesh, perhaps even to be deemed "ugly". Others are to be looked upon with awe as they reach their maximum potential through events like the Olympic Games. While at the other end of the spectrum there are those who are seen as the undesirables; the disabled or the slaves.
Vout writes at one point: "For every fifth-century Athenian pot that shows an older man courting a beautiful youth, there is another showing someone throwing up, urinating, shitting" and I think that draws the point across that there is much more to this subject and the author tackles it with an undaunted spirit that echoes across the pages.
Exposed is intricately plotted, incredibly engaging and with meticulous attention to detail which has made this book one of the most interesting reads of this year. The use of parallels between the ancient and contemporary world is excellently captured and emphasises that this is a subject that is still very much relevant to the present day.
Many thanks to @profile.books for sending me a copy of this beautiful book to review.
However, the author thinks of Greco-Roman bodies in a completely refreshing and unique perspective. In Exposed, Vout discusses the body in all varieties: some are soft and full of flesh, perhaps even to be deemed "ugly". Others are to be looked upon with awe as they reach their maximum potential through events like the Olympic Games. While at the other end of the spectrum there are those who are seen as the undesirables; the disabled or the slaves.
Vout writes at one point: "For every fifth-century Athenian pot that shows an older man courting a beautiful youth, there is another showing someone throwing up, urinating, shitting" and I think that draws the point across that there is much more to this subject and the author tackles it with an undaunted spirit that echoes across the pages.
Exposed is intricately plotted, incredibly engaging and with meticulous attention to detail which has made this book one of the most interesting reads of this year. The use of parallels between the ancient and contemporary world is excellently captured and emphasises that this is a subject that is still very much relevant to the present day.
Many thanks to @profile.books for sending me a copy of this beautiful book to review.