Decent history and look into the world Sappho would have grown up and lived in. I felt the author's translations, though illuminating in parts (describing the translation difficulties and nuances) were less vibrant than Mary Barnard. I also appreciated the weaving of her poetry to the history and biography, especially in regard to sticking with the female perspective that is so lacking, but I just wish there was more! 160 pages of bio/history left me wanting. ( )

If you are a woman who lived thousands of years ago, there is not going to be a whole lot recorded about your life, even if you were a famous poet in your time. The author does his best to use what was known about life for women in the world of ancient Greece, combined with her poetry, to give you a hint of what Sappho's life may have been like. The coolest thing about this book is that all her (known) poetry is included, even the verse fragments that literally are a single word. It is fascinating and a bit haunting. ( )