If Not, Winter: Fragments of Sappho (ISBN 0375724516)

Haunting and beautiful:
Sadly, much of Sappho's work is lost to the ages. Fortunately, Anne Carson has translated what survives in a wonderful, comprehensive collection. All of Sappho's extant works are here in a dual-language book - the original Greek on one page, Carson's translations on the other. Having read several translations (I do not read Greek), Carson's is my favorite - the images are immeadiate, the sense of urgency and romance clearly communicated in lyric prose. Some apparently are frustrated by the equal attention Carson gives to each fragment - remnants of poems (even a single word) are given their own page just as longer bits. I enjoyed this, wondering what has been lost, haunted by a voice over 2,000 years old, marveling at the beauty of what remains. If you, like me, are a lover of poetry, I highly recommend this collection above all other translations.

A very readable translation:
Sappho, an ancient lyricist, is often looked over in her works because very little of them remain. I bought this on a whim when I saw it actually in a bookstore (unless special ordered her writings are very hard to simply come across), and it has proven to be very readable. I cannot translate myself, but the editor has put together a very comprehensive version with clear indications of where text is missing. Some lyrics are merely a single, provoking word, while only one is complete. This may seem to be a waste to some when they open the book and find pages and pages with only a word or a phrase, but for me the enjoyment is imagining what Sappho herself was thinking and feeling as she sang that single line. From her one complete lyric it is obvious she was extremely competent in her field, and the fragments allow one a glimpse into the themes that played such a great role in her life. I have read and re-read this book over and over, often spending the majority of the time I have it open building the rest of what is missing. It would be my sincerest hope that someday perhaps more of Sappho's beautiful lyrics are found, but until they are I satisfy my craving with her later admirer who took to writing in a similar fashion, Catullus. He is romantic, cynical, and even amusing in his works, providing even greater entertainment than some of Sappho's fragments. But this review is for Sappho, not Catullus. The book itself is of good quality with a sturdy binding, especially for a softcover, which is necessary because this is a collection you will want to read over and over again. I have read somewhat more descriptive and dramatic translations, although I feel these are accurate in their representation and still very enjoyable. Overall, this book is excellent for really showing what little remains of Sappho and the dramatic presence her works still evoke, despite all attempts others have made to suppress her.

Decent:
I thought that this book was a decent book, but I tended to gain very little from the brief fragments, which make up most of the book.

A Beautifully Constructed Book:
Anne Carson approached the project of translating fragments of Sappho's work with as much care and respect as possible. The result is something truly intelligent & lovely. I recommend this book to anyone who has an appreciation for poetry, both modern and classic, and translation.

intelligence, for sho', but does it sing?:
mary barnard's translations of sappho's fragments are most musical (i discovered barnard via a powerful and moving essay by paul monette). carson's don't sing as much, but anne carson, as we all know, is a genius in her own right.