This book investigates the complex interplay between the literary form of Latin elegy and the theoretical framework of narratology. Genevieve Liveley, a scholar in classical studies, examines how narrative structures and techniques, as understood by modern narratology, can be applied to the analysis of ancient Roman elegiac poetry. The work draws upon a wide range of elegiac texts, exploring their internal narrative voices, focalization, and temporal organization to illuminate new interpretations of these foundational works of Western literature.

This scholarly work is recognized for its rigorous application of contemporary literary theory to classical texts. The book is noted for its detailed analysis of Latin elegy, offering fresh perspectives on familiar poems through the lens of narratology. Scholars in classical studies and literary theory are likely to find its methodological approach and in-depth readings valuable for understanding the complexities of ancient poetry. The work contributes to ongoing debates about narrative in ancient literature and the utility of modern critical tools for its interpretation.