Autobiography of Red (Cape Poetry)

Paperback, 149 pages

Published July 24, 1999 by Jonathan Cape.

ISBN:: 978-0-224-05973-2

The work reimagines the plot of the fragmentary poem Geryoneis by the ancient Greek poet Stesichorus, which recounts the episode in the life of Heracles in which he kills the red, winged monster known as Geryon to steal his cattle. In the novel, Carson imagines Geryon as a gay teenager with wings living in the present day who falls in love with a rebellious young man named Heracles, who breaks his heart.

The novel is considered one of Carson's best works and the one that brought her name to fame. It is also regarded as one of the most complex characterizations of a gay character in contemporary English-language literature. Among the main themes it addresses are lost love, the image of the artist as a monstrous being, and the role of translations.

In 2013, Carson published a sequel to the work titled Red Doc> in which she continues …

The work reimagines the plot of the fragmentary poem Geryoneis by the ancient Greek poet Stesichorus, which recounts the episode in the life of Heracles in which he kills the red, winged monster known as Geryon to steal his cattle. In the novel, Carson imagines Geryon as a gay teenager with wings living in the present day who falls in love with a rebellious young man named Heracles, who breaks his heart.

The novel is considered one of Carson's best works and the one that brought her name to fame. It is also regarded as one of the most complex characterizations of a gay character in contemporary English-language literature. Among the main themes it addresses are lost love, the image of the artist as a monstrous being, and the role of translations.

In 2013, Carson published a sequel to the work titled Red Doc> in which she continues the story of Geryon and Heracles, employing a similar poetic style.

2 editions

Fionnáin reviewed Autobiography of Red (Cape Poetry) by Anne Carson

No word is wasted

5 stars

This book is a marvel. It's a story told in poem form, reimagining an ancient Greek tale in the 1990s. The protagonist Geryon is a monster who sees only red and has wings, although this is mostly unimportant. More than this, he is an awkward male archetype who feels a bit like a character from a John Waters film.

The story keeps circling back to volcanoes, and their role in Geryon's life. And his relationships with family and lovers help steer this obsession with a return to red. I think Carson is a wonderful writer; Every word is carefully chosen, and I read this book with pure joy.

This book is a marvel. It's a story told in poem form, reimagining an ancient Greek tale in the 1990s. The protagonist Geryon is a monster who sees only red and has wings, although this is mostly unimportant. More than this, he is an awkward male archetype who feels a bit like a character from a John Waters film.

The story keeps circling back to volcanoes, and their role in Geryon's life. And his relationships with family and lovers help steer this obsession with a return to red. I think Carson is a wonderful writer; Every word is carefully chosen, and I read this book with pure joy.