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[ SOLD OUT ] PUTNAM, M.C.J., Virgil's Poem of the Earth. Studies in the Georgics. Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1979. XIII,336p. Cloth. Spine with light remains of sticker. Library marks to upper and lower edges as well as to endpages. 'Putnam's book 'is a continuous reading of the poem (...). He describes it as a 'strict exercise in the humane scrutinity of literature (p.xi), and distinguishes it sharply from those which 'inject their own cast of mind between the student and the work of art'. (...) P.'s introduction outlines his conception of the poem. We must 'eradicate from our minds any lingering notions that the poem is utilitarian' (p.7) (...) and view the Georgics as a meditation on nature, external and internal. (...) There is much in this general account with which to agree (...), but there are fundamental points about his conception of the poem and the way to approach it. It seems to me that when one reads the Georgis it is hard to avoid feeling certainthings about the poem. One is that it contains a good deal of subdued humour. Another is that it is not made of the same stuff throughout, but on the contrary very varied, in tone, scope, pace and degree of relevance to the professed subject-matter; and also that some parts are, much better than others.' (JASPER GRIFFIN in The Classical Review (New Series), 1981, pp.31-32). (Antiquarian) (approx. delivery time: undeliverable)