MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Literary A True Story by Lucian of Samosata

sun surfer · 07-15-2019, 09:52 AM

'Widely hailed as the first science fiction story, A True Story by Lucian of Samosata is a voyage to the edges of the universe and reason. The title is the first clue that this will be a tall tale. As much a predecessor of Douglas Adams as Jules Verne, Lucian's fantasy explores not only outer space (where he brokers war and peace between the inhabitants of the sun and moon), but also the Elysian fields, the geography of the Odyssey, and the interior of a giant whale. We get to meet Homer, Pythagoras, Socrates, and other immortals, as well as a host of bizarre creatures. The text is riddled with puns, innuendo, parody and satire. The narrative breaks off in the second book. Whether there were more adventures or Lucian just ran out of ideas is unknown.'

This book has many variations of its translated title, including 'The True Story', 'True History', 'Lucian's True History', etc. It is also known in English as 'Trips to the Moon'.

Goodreads

Anyone can discuss any part or aspect at any time, though there's a softly recommended timeframe of discussing the entire book by the time next month's selection is finalised (usually around the 10th).

This is the MR Literary Club selection for July 2019. Everyone is welcome so feel free to start or join in the conversation at any time; the more the merrier!

07-15-2019, 09:52 AM	#1
sun surfer languorous autodidact ✦ Posts: 4,235 Karma: 44667380 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: smiling with the rising sun Device: onyx boox poke 2 colour, kindle voyage	A True Story by Lucian of Samosata 'Widely hailed as the first science fiction story, A True Story by Lucian of Samosata is a voyage to the edges of the universe and reason. The title is the first clue that this will be a tall tale. As much a predecessor of Douglas Adams as Jules Verne, Lucian's fantasy explores not only outer space (where he brokers war and peace between the inhabitants of the sun and moon), but also the Elysian fields, the geography of the Odyssey, and the interior of a giant whale. We get to meet Homer, Pythagoras, Socrates, and other immortals, as well as a host of bizarre creatures. The text is riddled with puns, innuendo, parody and satire. The narrative breaks off in the second book. Whether there were more adventures or Lucian just ran out of ideas is unknown.' This book has many variations of its translated title, including 'The True Story', 'True History', 'Lucian's True History', etc. It is also known in English as 'Trips to the Moon'. Goodreads Anyone can discuss any part or aspect at any time, though there's a softly recommended timeframe of discussing the entire book by the time next month's selection is finalised (usually around the 10th). This is the MR Literary Club selection for July 2019. Everyone is welcome so feel free to start or join in the conversation at any time; the more the merrier!