Eros the Bittersweet - An Essay

Named one of the 100 best nonfiction books of all time by the Modern Library

Anne Carson-s remarkable first book about the paradoxical nature of romantic love

Since it was first published, Eros the Bittersweet, Anne Carson-s lyrical meditation on love in ancient Greek literature and philosophy, has established itself as a favorite among an unusually broad audience, including classicists, essayists, poets, and general readers. Beginning with the poet Sappho-s invention of the word -bittersweet- to describe Eros, Carson-s original and beautifully written book is a wide-ranging reflection on the conflicted nature of romantic love, which is both -miserable- and -one of the greatest pleasures we have.-