The Consolation of Philosophy

by Boethius Narrated by Peter Wickham

Overview

Charged with treason under Theodoric the Great in sixth-century Rome, Boethius served one year's imprisonment, awaiting trial and eventual execution. During this time, he wrote The Consolation of Philosophy, which would go on to be one of the most popular philosophical works of all time, contributing much to medieval thought and influencing the likes of Dante and Chaucer, as well as Renaissance writers such as Milton and Shakespeare. Grieving over the injustice of his imprisonment, Boethius meditates on the nature of God, the fickleness of Fortune, the idea of free will, why bad things happen to good people, and the nature of happiness. His arguments take the form of a rich and exquisite dialogue between himself and Lady Philosophy, and make many allusions to classical Greek and Roman literature in an attempt to create a coherent philosophy that supports his world view. It has been declared a `golden volume not unworthy of the leisure of Plato*or*Tully' (Edward Gibbon).

Editorial Reviews

JULY 2019 - AudioFile

This audiobook was written by the Roman philosopher Boethius while he was awaiting sentencing and execution. One of the last great blooms of classical Greek Stoicism, it is a dialogue between the author and Philosophy, who appears as a woman who leads him to a proper Stoic acceptance of whatever his fate may be—even death. Narrator Peter Wickham maintains a clear, calm tone, as the philosophy requires, and makes the rather stilted dialogue as natural sounding as he can. The argument may or may not be convincing, but it is, in any case, a fine example of classical logic from late antiquity (524 CE). Boethius was ultimately enrolled in the list of martyrs as St. Severinus, having been executed shortly after he finished writing. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Library Journal

Slavitt, a poet and translator of over 80 works of fiction, poetry, and drama, presents a new translation of this philosophical classic directed at general readers. Written under the threat of Boethius's impending execution, the work comes on the cusp between the classical and medieval worlds. In alternating prose and verse, Boethius spins a dialog concerning the harsh vicissitudes of fortune and the lasting happiness provided by the life of the mind. Slavitt's prose translation is accessible and makes frequent use of colloquialisms. His poetic translations-too often paraphrased in earlier editions-are not weighed down with attempted fidelities to ancient meter and use contemporary forms to evoke the gravity and grace of the original. While the book does include a brief biographical and textual introduction by Seth Lerer (English & comparative literature, Stanford Univ.), its lack of textual apparatus makes this edition less than ideal for students. It does succeed, however, as a springboard for personal reflection and a source of literate pleasure. Recommended for large public and academic libraries.-Steven Chabot, Univ. of Toronto

From the Publisher

"An excellent introduction and overview of this important thinker's thought and legacy."-Calvin Theological Journal

Gail Holst-Warhaft

A remarkable translation of one of the great masterpieces of philosophical literature.

Books and Culture - John Wilson

This is a beautifully made little book that I have taken with me on a number of trips, partly just for the pleasure of holding it. At any time I would be glad to have it.

openlettersmonthly.com - Steve Donoghue

It's a remarkable book (though a short one), and its latest edition, rendered into fluid, compellingly immediate English by veteran translator David R. Slavitt, is very markedly the best one it's ever had...Slavitt presents the reader with Boethius brought to vibrant, vigorous life, to a degree that makes all previous English versions seem pedantic and irrelevant. Harvard University Press has crafted a physically beautiful volume, sturdy and small enough to fit in your pocket—an extremely fitting format for a book that's meant to be a comfort against life's ills. Reading this edition, even readers who've never encountered Boethius before will see at once why his book has meant so much to so many people for the last 1,500 years.

Henry Taylor

This is a sensitive and readable translation, whose poetic merits place it beyond other translations of Boethius's great text.

Books and Culture

This is a beautifully made little book that I have taken with me on a number of trips, partly just for the pleasure of holding it. At any time I would be glad to have it.
— John Wilson

openlettersmonthly.com

It's a remarkable book (though a short one), and its latest edition, rendered into fluid, compellingly immediate English by veteran translator David R. Slavitt, is very markedly the best one it's ever had...Slavitt presents the reader with Boethius brought to vibrant, vigorous life, to a degree that makes all previous English versions seem pedantic and irrelevant. Harvard University Press has crafted a physically beautiful volume, sturdy and small enough to fit in your pocket—an extremely fitting format for a book that's meant to be a comfort against life's ills. Reading this edition, even readers who've never encountered Boethius before will see at once why his book has meant so much to so many people for the last 1,500 years.
— Steve Donoghue

JULY 2019 - AudioFile

This audiobook was written by the Roman philosopher Boethius while he was awaiting sentencing and execution. One of the last great blooms of classical Greek Stoicism, it is a dialogue between the author and Philosophy, who appears as a woman who leads him to a proper Stoic acceptance of whatever his fate may be—even death. Narrator Peter Wickham maintains a clear, calm tone, as the philosophy requires, and makes the rather stilted dialogue as natural sounding as he can. The argument may or may not be convincing, but it is, in any case, a fine example of classical logic from late antiquity (524 CE). Boethius was ultimately enrolled in the list of martyrs as St. Severinus, having been executed shortly after he finished writing. D.M.H. © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940174937475
Publisher:	Naxos Audiobooks
Publication date:	01/01/2019
Edition description:	Unabridged

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