een bizarre odyssee: belijdenissen van een classicus

by Carlos Martínez Aguirre, Martin Baasten (translator)

A Strange Odyssey. Confessions of a Classicist is a surprising, enjoyable and dynamic book, masterfully written. Under the disguise of an autobiographical narration of firstly a student and later a teacher of classical languages, A Strange Odyssey is an extraordinary road map for anyone who plans to pursue with excellence the study of Latin and Greek.

This book could have been titled How to learn Latin and Greek, and not die in the attempt. By referring to his own experiences and with a great sense of humour, the writer reviews the difficulties and disappointments which students of Latin and Greek have to face while studying classical languages. There will be few Classicists, veterans and young alike, who cannot identify with many of the situations which the author cites, and few readers who will not feel hooked by his passion, love and enthusiasm for Classical Philology.

This is an indispensable book for understanding, in a most entertaining way, the different didactic approaches to teaching Latin and Greek throughout history (the humanistic route, grammar and translation, the natural method, Reading, Ørberg, the communicative approach etc.) and to discover a universe of up-to-date and current possibilities (Modern Greek as a first step towards learning Ancient Greek, the Circuli Latini, the Vivarium Novum Academy, Latin comics etc.) which the author presents to us on this strange pilgrimage of his memories and experiences as a Classicist.

An engaging reading for anyone interested in obtaining a profound knowledge of culture, this is indispensable for all students and teachers of Classical Philology.

Genres: Nonfiction

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Armand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buen libro para todo aquel filólogo clásico que, como yo, pueda tener dudas sobre las metodologías existentes a la hora de mostrar el mundo grecolatino a adolescentes. Carlos consigue narrar de forma magistral las arduas traducciones impuestas en la facultad y como, al fin y al cabo, acabas por no poder leer ni Cesar correctamente al finalizar la carrera.

Así que animo a todo aquel, filólogo clásico o no, a leer esta estupenda obra sobre la vida de un filólogo en la que nos podemos ver reflejados todos.

[Pedro Trujillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como filólogo clásico, este libro ha sido revelador. Me abre un ventana apasionante a mi pasión por la filología y el aprendizaje de lenguas. Muy recomendable.