Daphnis and Chloe by Longus (novel #215)

Daphnis and Chloe is a novel written by second-century Greek novelist Longus. 

 

Yet somehow, The Tale of Genji, written in the eleventh century, is considered the world’s first novel.

 

I don’t get it either. So, I’ll move on to my review.

 

To be more precise, it is a Greek romance novel. Some have suggested that “romance novel” may be why it isn’t considered a novel, but if that’s the reason…Well OH MY GOODNESS, we need to rule out Genji as well then! He only falls in love about 57 times.

 

But I’m rambling off-point. It is boy meets girl in ancient Greece's poly-theistic and mythological culture. It is set on the island of Lesbos – probably the author’s home.

 

Daphnis and Chloe are foundlings of unusual circumstances. The goatherd Lamon discovers Daphnis in the fields being suckled by a goat and with tokens suggesting noble birth. Later the shepherd Dryas finds Chloe being suckled by a sheep also with distinctive tokens. Each child is adopted by their finders, though neither step-parents nor the children know the mysterious origin of the other.

 

The children assume their step-father’s vocation, naturally encounter each other, and fall in love. But In their youth and innocence, they don’t understand their feelings nor the cure that can satisfy their longing.

 

When they met, they rejoiced; when they parted, they were sad. They pined with grief. They wished for a something, but they knew not what.

 

Various events threaten their happiness. But Pan and his nymphs intercede and seem determined to give Daphnis and Chloe the chance they seem fated to.

 

It is predictable in general but unexpected in specifics. It’s a bit different from a Victorian romance. It’s rather short and easy to read. I didn’t love it. It didn’t stun me, but I’m glad to have read it as a sample of a setting and form I’m unaccustomed to.

 

 

My rating: 3 ½ out of 5 stars

 

 

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