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41 pages 1 hour read

The Golden Ass

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 159

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Book Brief

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Apuleius

The Golden Ass

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 159
Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Roman Empire • 2nd Century

Publication Year

159

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1350L

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Super Short Summary

The Golden Ass by Apuleius follows Lucius, who, while exploring Thessaly to learn about magic, is transformed into a donkey through a spell gone wrong. He experiences numerous adventures and hears various tales, including the story of Cupid and Psyche, before finally being returned to human form through the intervention of the goddess Isis, leading him to a life of religious devotion. The book includes instances of sexual violence and animal abuse.

Adventurous

Fantastical

Humorous

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Apuleius's The Golden Ass is celebrated for its imaginative narrative and insightful social satire, offering readers a captivating blend of humor and serious themes. Critics praise its vivid storytelling and robust character development. However, some argue that certain episodic sections can be tangential and overly verbose. Overall, it remains a seminal work in classical literature.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Golden Ass?

A reader who enjoys The Golden Ass by Apuleius likely appreciates ancient literature, satirical humor, and transformation tales. Comparable books include Ovid's Metamorphoses and Petronius's Satyrica, appealing to those fascinated by classical myths, moral lessons, and adventurous narratives.

Book Details
Pages

256

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Roman Empire • 2nd Century

Publication Year

159

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1350L

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