Lavinia

By: Ursula K. Le Guin

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Highly acclaimed author Ursula K. Le Guin lends a resonant voice to a pivotal yet often overlooked character of Virgil's The Aeneid. Born into peace and freedom, Lavinia is stunned to learn that she will be the cause of a great war - or so the prophecies and omens claim. Her fate is sealed, however, when she meets a man from Troy.

©2008 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2008 Recorded Books

Critic Reviews

"... masterful" ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

Fascinatingly well written

I found this book to be wonderful in three ways. While the story is well trodden territory, the author continuously weaves it with fascinating and well thought out insights and commentary from the narrator. The narrator herself is a wonderful contraption, occupying a unique space between first-person and third-person. Finally, the writing itself is a joy to listen to. The author has clearly put thought into simplicity and elegance of phrasing.

The only down-side I found in this book is that the last half of the book is not as strong as the first. However, the book only slacks off from "excellent" to "very good."

The reader does the book justice. She speaks clearly, at a good pace, and with an appropriate amount of intonation and acting.

totally gripping!

I loved this recording of Ursula Le Guin's beautiful novel so much that I listened to it all over again as soon as I'd heard it through the first time. The language is sparse and clear, and the narrator's voice is perfectly suited to it. Le Guin's exploration of what piety means in action is fascinating, and her exploration of gender roles is a nuanced as ever. Hoorah!

An unsung character with an interesting story

Let me begin by saying that LeGuin is at her best when she is creating a new culture by looking at it anthropologically. For example, she shines in her Earthsea novels and the science fiction novels like THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS. In this novel, she has a society that she understands fully -- but it is already historically realized. I felt her creativity was limited with what I think she does best -- her expertise on culture and people. However, her insight into people comes through in the impeccable characterization in this novel.

Bresnahan does a fine job with the text. Not my favorite by LeGuin, but a nobel effort.

Loved this book.

What made the experience of listening to Lavinia the most enjoyable?

The narrator did a beautiful job giving voice to Lavinia. It was wonderful to hear this relatively minor character from one of the classic stories of our culture brought to life with the feminist perspective and the gorgeous, detailed, imaginative Le Guin writing.

What did you like best about this story?

The imaginative and detailed writing, I think.

If you could rename Lavinia, what would you call it?

A Feminist Retelling of an Old Dude's Story

Roman Origin Myth with a Touch of Fantasy

Ursula LeGuin, a master of sci-fi and fantasy, takes an obscure character from Virgil and weaves a touching historical novel. Satisfying in a sweet and feminist way without much actual historical record.

Heart-felt, deep, engaging, and beautiful

This story is perfectly read. The story itself evokes myth and legend and the old religions and ancient people beyond anything else in Le guin's rich oevre. The time of Lavinia, just before, Rome, is a distant fantasy world made so alive and real as to feel both historical and magical, ancestral and fascinatingly other-worldly.

Interesting story

Ursula K Le Guin is one of my favorite authors. I enjoyed listening to Lavinia.

captivating

I was told about this book in AP Latin about 10 years ago and finally got around to reading (well listening to) it. Lavinia is a beautiful prose that brought life to a background character in Virgil's Aeneid. This was beautifulyl narrated and despite knowing enough to know some of the details I found myself wanting to know Lavinia's side of the epic atory

Fantastic story weaving

I really enjoyed the story woven like a fine tapestry. The ending of this book was magnificent. There was a small section in the middle. That was a little slow section in the middle where the poet and Lavinia were shifting back and forth across time. I’ve never heard of telling this permeable time and space so even though it was slow, it was a delightful literary experience. One tip for the reader is to wait for the authors note to the end of the book. I enjoyed the historical accounts, shared, as well as the context for the story itself so much that I listen to it twice. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it highly.

Prose of an epic poem

Ursula K Le Guin’s Lavinia is the tale of a minor character from Virgil’s Aenied. Lavinia is the daughter of the king of the Latins in the general vicinity of Rome. Neighboring royalty vie for her hand in marriage as she is the only living offspring of the king. An omen from then gods indicates that she is to marry a ‘stranger.’ Eventually, Aeneas arrives with his Trojans. After defeating the reigning powers, her marries Lavinia, but dies three years later. His son (by a previous marriage) takes over and eventually, Lavinia runs away with her son (by Aeneas) and ‘hangs out’ in the woods until he becomes the new king of the Latins.

Guin relates the tale in a first person narrative as told by Lavinia who interacts with a ghost -like entity that represents the poet Virgil. She seems to regard her life as existing within the poem that Virgil is writing.

The narration is well done with reasonable character distinction and smooth pacing.