Ironic Contradictions

This work of David Malouf's was incredibly lyrical and well written. I found myself captivated at the start and believed I may be able to grant this four stars. However the further I read into the text the more my love of the book eroded.

This is the fictionalised story of the Roman poet Ovid in exile among supposed barbarians. It chronicles, from his perspective, how he meets a wild boy and befriends him. It is a highly poetic and fantastical story with many philosophical ideas present.

Yet on the whole it was unmemorable. It dragged the more I read. It repeated ideas that had been firmly fleshed out. It rambled at times. Yet it could have been an incredible story for me if it had overcome those flaws and finished strongly.

I would recommend this as a book and glad I was forced out of my comfort zone to read it. If you like literary fiction then this is a book you might consider. And if you like this and want a war novel by the same author try Fly Away Peter.