FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile
Written originally in Italian by a professor of medieval Italian at Oxford, translated and narrated by a Brooklyn poet and songwriter, this audiobook marks a first for both author and narrator. It’s a genuine pleasure to hear spoken Latin—lots of it, and by many of the great classical authors, including Cicero, Ovid, and Virgil—and to follow the story of Gardini’s lifelong infatuation with a language that is nowhere and everywhere in our modern lives. Portnowitz is a steady and effective narrator, not as polished or expressive as some, but engaging nonetheless. This is an audiobook to appreciate on many levels, most of all, to hear the sound of Latin again, so familiar and so essential to the ear. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
09/30/2019
In this spirited linguistic jaunt, novelist Gardini (Lost Words) makes a strong argument for studying a supposedly “dead language” to unlock its beauty, history, and continued liveliness. Like the best linguists, he exhibits a knack for unpacking the meanings that can be hidden in a single word. Yet, Gardini takes his project a step further, and in short chapters, sums up the essential facts about an ancient author (say, Lucretius, whose “De rerum natura reveals the atomic structure of the universe in six books”) or the significance of a classic text. He describes in simple, clear terms the Aeneid’s impact on literature “as a condensation of the Iliad and the Odyssey” that in turn informed later literary luminaries, and elucidates the passages that bring him the most delight. Gardini’s defense of Latin is not novel, and in fact, most people who pick this up will likely already be convinced that Latin is far from a “useless language.” The book’s real value is to assist and encourage during the reader’s own exploration of ancient Latin texts. Anyone who embarks on such a voyage will find this a helpful and contagiously enthusiastic companion. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
Nicola Gardini’s paean to Latin belongs on the shelf alongside Nabokov’s Lectures on Literature. With a similar blend of erudition, reverence, and impeccable close reading, he connects the dots between etymology and poetry, between syntax and society. And he proves, in the process, that a mysterious and magnificent language, born in ancient Rome, is still relevant to each and every one of us.” —Jhumpa Lahiri, author of In Other Words
“Fascinating . . . [Gardini’s] precise, writerly descriptions of the texts are often exciting and infectious in themselves . . . For Gardini, the promise of Latin is that getting to the root of words, understanding what they meant before they got into Italian or English or any other Romance language, is getting at what underlies and defines our vexing Western culture . . . [The] translation ably captures Gardini’s bombast and fussiness alike.” —Will Boast, Los Angeles Review of Books
"In Long Live Latin, Nicola Gardini argues that it is worth studying not for its utility but simply because “Latin is beautiful . . . . The book emerges as an adoring “biography” of Latin as the greatest written language; maintaining throughout that the point of reading Latin authors is not to haul them into the present, under a banner of “relevance”, but rather to venture ourselves into the linguistic world of the ancients that helped create so much of Western literature from the philosophy of More, Spinoza and Descartes to the poetry of Petrarch, Dante and Milton." —Shmoit Dutta, Times Literary Supplement
"Gardini gives another reason for studying classical languages: 'The story of our lives is just a fraction of all history . . . life began long before we were born.' This is the very opposite of a practical argument—it is a meditative, even self-effacing one. To learn a language because it was spoken by some brilliant people 2,000 years ago is to celebrate the world; not a way to optimise yourself, but to get over yourself." —The Economist
"A love letter to the finest language ever created. I loved Latin at the age of 11 and I still do, though I’m not good at it. Gardini explains lucidly, compellingly and passionately how and why it is so elegant, beautiful, expressive and succinct. Go seek out your Aeneid parallel text and remind yourself." —Susan Hill, The Spectator
"In this spirited linguistic jaunt, novelist Gardini (Lost Words) makes a strong argument for studying a supposedly “dead language” to unlock its beauty, history, and continued liveliness . . . Anyone who embarks on such a voyage will find this a helpful and contagiously enthusiastic companion." —Publishers Weekly
“A loving tribute to Latin as well as a compelling response to those who would call the language ‘useless’ . . . [Gardini’s] enthusiasm is infectious. Whether new to the study or remembering Latin lessons from years ago, interested readers will appreciate his insights, both translational and social.” —Jennifer Oleinik, Shelf Awareness (starred review)
"Gardini . . . crafts each chapter so that it feels like an encounter. Offering numerous personal anecdotes from his own life, Gardini’s writing is warm and conversational yet scholarly." —Diane Scharper, National Review
“Nicola Gardini’s Long Live Latin is not only a learned crash course in the splendors of Latin literature, but also an inspiring demonstration on why Latin still matters. Passionate, wise, and, finally, ennobling, this is a must read for anyone with even a passing interest in the subject.” —Ann Patty, author of Living with a Dead Language: My Romance with Latin
“This love letter to Latin enthralls, illuminates, and convinces. Nobody could possibly describe Latin as a dead or useless language after reading it.” —David Crystal, author of How Language Works
“A brilliant reminder that the supposedly dead language is alive and kicking—and still the most influential language in the world.” —Harry Mount, author of Carpe Diem: Put a Little Latin in Your Life
“Highlighting the particular charms in the styles and attitudes of Latin’s greatest writers, this book will open many eyes to the unexpected pleasures of Latin.” —Nicholas Ostler, author of Empires of the Word: A Language History of the World
"Anyone who embarks on such a voyage will find this a helpful and contagiously enthusiastic companion." —Publishers Weekly
FEBRUARY 2020 - AudioFile
Written originally in Italian by a professor of medieval Italian at Oxford, translated and narrated by a Brooklyn poet and songwriter, this audiobook marks a first for both author and narrator. It’s a genuine pleasure to hear spoken Latin—lots of it, and by many of the great classical authors, including Cicero, Ovid, and Virgil—and to follow the story of Gardini’s lifelong infatuation with a language that is nowhere and everywhere in our modern lives. Portnowitz is a steady and effective narrator, not as polished or expressive as some, but engaging nonetheless. This is an audiobook to appreciate on many levels, most of all, to hear the sound of Latin again, so familiar and so essential to the ear. D.A.W. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
