Book recommendation: An Imaginary Life, by David Malouf

It is a powerful reflection on the nature of Man as a product of both civilization and wilderness, that rightly puts the finger on the anguish caused by our disconnect from the more natural side of our existence. This makes it very much a book of and for the now.

It is also a book that will speak to the lovers of classical themes, despite the poetic license it (quite overtly) takes when speculating about the true unfolding of historical events.

The main character is the Roman poet Ovid, whom we meet during the final years of his life, spent in exile in Tomis, a village in the rough and rugged outskirts of the Roman empire. The book tells the story of his encounter with a wild boy raised in the forest among the animals and of the profound changes that this encounter will effect on both them.

Lovers of the writings of Ovid will especially enjoy the fact that this book delves deeper into the theme of metamorphosis, as applied to the life of the poet himself.

It must be said that David Malouf too is a poet and it shows. The descriptions are beautifully crafted and will often take you to inner dreamlike places of introspection. They will also keep you going until the final page is turned. Though this is by no means a page-turner. It is a book for those who care to sit back and let slowness and depth take over.