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Marc Chagall: Daphnis and Chloe
Inspired by a journey through Greece, Marc Chagall, one of the twentieth-century’s most popular painters, created a wonderful series of lithographs that brought to life this ancient Greek love story. The story of Daphnis and Chloe, a pastoral romance attributed to the Greek poet Longus, follows the adventures of two foundling children raised by adopted parents who are humble shepherds in the idyllic setting of the Isle of Lesbos. As Daphnis and Chloe grow to be young adults tending their adopted parents’ sheep and goats on the sun-drenched Grecian hillsides and pastures, they discover that their friendship is turning to love but in their innocence they do not know how to proceed. Together they experience many trials and tribulations before finally realizing their true fate. Daphnis and Chloe has served through the ages as an inspiration for nearly every love story that has followed including Romeo and Juliet.
150 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 26, 2025
"Er schwamm in den Flüssen; sie badete in den Quellen; er flötete wetteifernd mit den Pinien; sie aber sang um die Wette mit den Nachtigallen"
September 3, 2016
A story about painfully innocent young lovers, written by Longus and illustrated with color representations of Chagall's lithographs, that match the pastoral and dreamlike nature of the story. (A few pictures are not in the right place and order in the story, but we can forgive that for the beauty of them ...)
How would it feel to fall in love when you'd never heard of it? Now, it is often said that first love doesn't work out, but Daphnis and Chloe make it through ... just not without challenges. The challenges include Daphnis being abducted by pirates, Chloe being sought out by many men (who appear to be richer and better than Daphnis), a gay man attempting to rape Daphnis, and more, but really, the biggest trouble is the lack of sex education.
It's sweet, funny, if not thrilling (all the dangers are resolved quite quickly with the help of Greek gods, so I don't think it's particularly thrilling ...). If you are tired of too-stimulating modern novels, this will nourish your heart, as a peasant meal of cheese and fruits would nourish the stomach that is damaged by the diet of too-spicy foods.
How would it feel to fall in love when you'd never heard of it? Now, it is often said that first love doesn't work out, but Daphnis and Chloe make it through ... just not without challenges. The challenges include Daphnis being abducted by pirates, Chloe being sought out by many men (who appear to be richer and better than Daphnis), a gay man attempting to rape Daphnis, and more, but really, the biggest trouble is the lack of sex education.
It's sweet, funny, if not thrilling (all the dangers are resolved quite quickly with the help of Greek gods, so I don't think it's particularly thrilling ...). If you are tired of too-stimulating modern novels, this will nourish your heart, as a peasant meal of cheese and fruits would nourish the stomach that is damaged by the diet of too-spicy foods.
August 31, 2015
4/5 Stars
For this month's classic read, I chose a tale from actual ancient history. Daphnis and Chloe is attributed to the poet Longus who dates to around the second or third century A.D. The first complete manuscript of this tale was discovered in Florence in 1810 and it has gone on to influence cultural works and even The Princess Bride. This illustrated edition contains forty-two lithographs produced by Marc Chagall that bring to life Longus's story.
The story of Daphnis and Chloe in its simplest form is a love story. A tale of learning what love is, how to express those feelings, and how to fight for it. Daphnis and Chloe come from similar homes, grow up together, and form an unbreakable bond. They come up against threats from pirates, the uncertainty of family, and even fate itself. For as much as this story is about love it is also about fate and the gods' will.
I have no idea why it took me so long to read a story from classical literature for my classic of the month. Having a degree in history with the majority of my courses focused on ancient Greece and Rome, it comes as a bit of a shock. I guess there are just so many classics that exist now. I have read ancient texts in the past for courses but this is the first for pleasure and I was not disappointed.
I really enjoyed Longus's Daphnis and Chloe. With the structure of four books it reads almost as a play unfolding before my eyes. It is a short story but flows well and every scene serves a greater purpose. Each character plays a part in the narrative and both Daphnis and Chloe are compelling. I was definitely rooting for them throughout the book. The setting is lush with detail and the sheep and goats feel as if they are surrounding you at every turn.
Marc Chagall's illustrations are interspersed throughout the story highlighting pivotal moments. The bright colors blend together and seem to seep through the page. The smaller details bring life to the overall picture which is especially apparent with flora and fauna. The fluid forms in the lithographs meld together, but define the story being told. I have never been the most artistic person, far from that, but the beauty of Chagall's illustrations makes me want to create.
Overall I definitely liked Daphnis and Chloe by Longus. It was quick and fun and everything I love about classical literature and history. The art added leaps and bounds to the whole experience, and the story seemed to jump off the page at every turn. I would definitely recommend this to my fellow history lovers and to anyone wishing to take a leap into antiquity. It is a great place to start!
Read the full review at https://hopefulreads.wordpress.com/20...
For this month's classic read, I chose a tale from actual ancient history. Daphnis and Chloe is attributed to the poet Longus who dates to around the second or third century A.D. The first complete manuscript of this tale was discovered in Florence in 1810 and it has gone on to influence cultural works and even The Princess Bride. This illustrated edition contains forty-two lithographs produced by Marc Chagall that bring to life Longus's story.
The story of Daphnis and Chloe in its simplest form is a love story. A tale of learning what love is, how to express those feelings, and how to fight for it. Daphnis and Chloe come from similar homes, grow up together, and form an unbreakable bond. They come up against threats from pirates, the uncertainty of family, and even fate itself. For as much as this story is about love it is also about fate and the gods' will.
I have no idea why it took me so long to read a story from classical literature for my classic of the month. Having a degree in history with the majority of my courses focused on ancient Greece and Rome, it comes as a bit of a shock. I guess there are just so many classics that exist now. I have read ancient texts in the past for courses but this is the first for pleasure and I was not disappointed.
I really enjoyed Longus's Daphnis and Chloe. With the structure of four books it reads almost as a play unfolding before my eyes. It is a short story but flows well and every scene serves a greater purpose. Each character plays a part in the narrative and both Daphnis and Chloe are compelling. I was definitely rooting for them throughout the book. The setting is lush with detail and the sheep and goats feel as if they are surrounding you at every turn.
Marc Chagall's illustrations are interspersed throughout the story highlighting pivotal moments. The bright colors blend together and seem to seep through the page. The smaller details bring life to the overall picture which is especially apparent with flora and fauna. The fluid forms in the lithographs meld together, but define the story being told. I have never been the most artistic person, far from that, but the beauty of Chagall's illustrations makes me want to create.
Overall I definitely liked Daphnis and Chloe by Longus. It was quick and fun and everything I love about classical literature and history. The art added leaps and bounds to the whole experience, and the story seemed to jump off the page at every turn. I would definitely recommend this to my fellow history lovers and to anyone wishing to take a leap into antiquity. It is a great place to start!
Read the full review at https://hopefulreads.wordpress.com/20...
February 6, 2017
I found this to be an enchanting piece of literature. "It was an artless and inexperienced sort of kiss, but one which was quite capable of setting a heart on fire". "You my children are in love. But whatever is love - a boy or a bird? Love is a God, young and beautiful and winged. Why I myself was once in love, I got no sleep, my soul ached and my heart throbbed, but there's no medicine for love, no magic spell, the only remedies are kissing and embracing...." the innocence of it all is redeeming.
August 12, 2015
Zauberhafte Liebesgeschichte um zwei Kinder, die, auf Lesbos ausgesetzt, gemeinsam erwachsen werden, sich verlieben, jedoch so unschuldig sind, dass sie nicht als Liebende zueinander finden. Sie müssen erst viele Abenteuer bestehen, um wirklich ein Paar zu werden. Die Illustrationen von Marc Chagall sind nicht nur wunderschön, sondern fangen die Stimmung der Episoden hervorragend ein.
September 19, 2022
Eine schöne, romantische und knisternde Liebesgeschichte. Einfach ein Klassiker!
June 30, 2017
Beautiful story, one of the great source books for the pastoral. Although kind of naive and romantic in its treatment of love, the book is frank in its treatment of sexual matters, like much of Latin literature. The highlight for me was the description of the garden with the fruit trees, and the charming relation of Daphnis and Chloe to the nymphs and Pan.
The edition I read was not really enhanced by the Chagall pictures, which seem general and not specific to the book.
A work of great, classic beauty, no surprise it was such an inspiration.
The edition I read was not really enhanced by the Chagall pictures, which seem general and not specific to the book.
A work of great, classic beauty, no surprise it was such an inspiration.
February 8, 2010
An amazingly touching pastoral love story. The artwork incorporated with the text, is stunning.
This book paints such a beautiful, and enchanting picture of life and love.
I prospect joyously, the Daphnis to my Chloe :)
This book paints such a beautiful, and enchanting picture of life and love.
I prospect joyously, the Daphnis to my Chloe :)
October 5, 2011
The Chagall paintings are worth the price of admission alone and the story is absolutely beautiful!
March 20, 2013
love the story, what can I say, I was young...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews