Eros the Bittersweet: An Essay

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

Anne Carsons remarkable first book about the paradoxical nature of romantic love

Since it was first published, Eros the Bittersweet, Anne Carsons 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 Sapphos invention of the word bittersweet to describe Eros, Carsons 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.