Mature
Length9h 2m
About this audiobook
In "The Golden Ass," Lucius Apuleius crafts a captivating narrative that intertwines elements of magic, philosophy, and social commentary, marking it as a significant work of the Roman literary tradition. This picaresque novel follows the misadventures of its protagonist, Lucius, who is transformed into a donkey through a botched magical experiment. Through vivid storytelling and humor, Apuleius explores themes of transformation, desire, and the quest for identity, all while offering intimate glimpses into the complexities of Roman life and the mystery religions of the time. The narrative is notable for its engaging prose style and rich character development, reflecting both the literary influences of earlier Greek romances and the burgeoning Latin narrative techniques of his contemporaries. Lucius Apuleius, a philosopher and rhetorician from Madaura in North Africa, was deeply influenced by Platonic thought and the cultural milieu of the Roman Empire. His mastery of language and deep understanding of both mythology and philosophy provided him with the tools to create a multifaceted tale that functions on various levels—entertaining while also reflecting on profound questions of existence and ethics. Apuleius' own experiences in the realm of the esoteric and the philosophical are vividly mirrored in the spiritual journey of Lucius. "The Golden Ass" is not only a pioneering work in the genre of fiction but also a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition. Readers interested in classics, transformation metaphors, or the interplay between the mundane and the divine will find Apuleius' work both enriching and enlightening. This enduring tale invites its audience to reflect on their own lives, making it a must-read for anyone seeking deeper insights into humanity's shared experiences.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
GenreLiterary Classics, Humor
Length9 hrs 2 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 13, 2022
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
6The Golden Ass (pt. 3)
2Synopsis
7The Golden Ass (pt. 4)
3Historical Context
8Analysis
4The Golden Ass (pt. 1)
9Reflection
5The Golden Ass (pt. 2)
10Memorable Quotes
More from Lucius Apuleius
L. M. Montgomery – Premium Collection: Novels, Short Stories, Poetry & MemoirsLucy Maud Montgomery155h 55m$2 · $0.00
MARK TWAIN: 12 Novels, 195 Short Stories, Autobiography, 10 Travel Books, 160+ Essays & Speeches (Illustrated)Mark Twain416h 24m5 (1)$2 · $0.00
The Great Gatsby: Original 1925 Edition (An F. Scott Fitzgerald Classic NovelFrancis Scott Fitzgerald4h 45m$18 · $0.00
Louisa May Alcott: 16 Novels in One Volume (Illustrated Edition)Louisa May Alcott141h 35m$2 · $0.00
The Fire Next TimeJames Baldwin2h 25m$15
The Complete Works of Oscar WildeOscar Wilde80h 38m$1 · $0.00
The Complete Books of F. Scott Fitzgerald (all his 5 novels + all 4 short story collections published during his lifetime)F. Scott Fitzgerald86h 48m$2 · $0.00
The Count of Monte Cristo (With Original Illustrations)Alexandre Dumas54h 7m$1 · $0.00
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m$29 · $0.00
Richard Wagamese SelectedRichard Wagamese3h 14m$15
Shōgun, Part OneJames Clavell24h 19m$35
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 40m$1 · $0.00
Pathways to LightPrakash Amte7h 6m$8
The North American Indian (Illustrated Edition)Edward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h$2 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of Leo Tolstoy in One Premium Edition (World Classics Series)Leo Tolstoy213h 41m$2 · $0.00
The Holy BibleKing James99h 50m$12 · $0.00
The Complete Novels of the Brontë Sisters (8 Novels: Jane Eyre, Shirley, Villette, The Professor, Emma, Wuthering Heights, Agnes Grey and The Tenant of Wildfell Hall)Charlotte Brontë, Emily Brontë, Anne Brontë118h 9m$2 · $0.00
The Greatest Works of Jules VerneJules Verne247h 39m$2 · $0.00
The Complete Works of G. K. ChestertonG. K. Chesterton421h 4m$2 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 54m$2 · $0.00
What If? 10th Anniversary EditionRandall Munroe7h 29m$23
Welcome to PawneeJim O'Heir6h 24m$24 · $0.00
Going PostalTerry Pratchett13h 36m$33 · $0.00
Mapp & Lucia: Complete SeriesE. F. Benson59h 54m$2 · $0.00
Woman UninterruptedBrodie Kane7h 1m$24 · $0.00
Hot Cowgirl Sh*tLacie Evans2h 15m$15
The Complete Novels of Mark Twain - 12 Books in One Volume (Illustrated Edition)Mark Twain155h 29m$2 · $0.00
You Will Get Through This NightDaniel Howell6h 56m$24 · $0.00
My Dear HamiltonStephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie23h 7m$46 · $0.00
The Night Before Christmas at Dunder MifflinBrian Baumgartner, Ben Silverman6m$4 · $0.00
Pride & PrejudiceJane Austen14h 52m$1 · $0.00
The Complete Works of SakiSaki, H. H. Munro52h 37m$2 · $0.00
The Palliser Novels: Book 1-6Anthony Trollope181h 39m$2 · $0.00
Jungle UpNick Pirog10h 8m$20
The 13½ Lives of Captain BluebearWalter Moers16h 10m$28
Damon Runyon OmnibusDamon Runyon27h$2 · $0.00
Don Quixote (illustrated & annotated)Miguel de Cervantes44h 11m$1 · $0.00
WotchaKev Saunders14h 41m$8 · $0.00
BufferingHannah Hart5h 55m$24 · $0.00
The Office BFFsJenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey8h 26m$26 · $0.00
You may also like
Hatha YogaYoga Swami Svatmarama1h 28m$2.30
Ars GoetiaJareth Cole / Luiz Santos5h 32m$7 · $0.00
Too Far from HomePaul Bowles24h 41m$53 · $0.00
Pinkalicious: Soccer StarVictoria Kann4m$4 · $0.00
Shaman WorkshopLynne Sibley53m$10
The Human ChordAlgernon Blackwood6h 35m$2.30
PEER GYNT (Illustrated Edition)Henrik Ibsen7h 4m$2 · $0.00
Memories Of The Future Being Memoirs Of The Years 1915-1972, written In The Year Of Grace 1988Ronald Arbuthnott Knox19h 26m$2.30
Fairy Tales Told in the BushSister Agnes1h 43m$2.30
The Sea LadyH.G. Wells4h 34m$12 · $0.00
The Fox That Wanted Nine Golden TailsKathleen Gray Nelson1h 16m$1 · $0.00
HeptameronLuan Ferr/ Luiz Santos7h 49m$7 · $0.00
The Arcane Teachings of William Walker AtkinsonWilliam Walker Atkinson12h 26m$2 · $0.00
Complete Guide To The Gypsy Tarot - Methods, Symbolism And Esoteric PracticesÉlida Alexandre3h 33m$16 · $0.00
The Life and Teachings of Hermes TrismegistusManly P. Hall49m$4 · $0.00
The Best of AmericaWashington Irving, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Louisa May Alcott, Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, O. Henry, others3h 41m$10
Flat Stanley Goes CampingJeff Brown7m$4 · $0.00
The Kybalion (Summarized Edition)Three Initiates1h 52m$2
The Golden Ass (The Metamorphoses of Apuleius)Lucius Apuleius8h 19m$2 · $0.00
The Book Of KeysNorah Elmorn / Luiz Santos7h 2m$7 · $0.00