Longus

In this delightful short tale from ancient Greece, in fact one of the oldest existing novels, Daphnis and Chloe are both foundlings raised by foster families in a pastoral community and spend their days tending their goats. As they come of age they find they are attracted to one another, but being complete innocents they aren't sure how to act on it. Luckily, fate and the gods ultimately come to the rescue!

I have to say it was a really amazing experience to read such an old work which, incredibly, has survived more or less intact for nearly 2000 years. This translation is surprisingly readable today, way more accessible than a lot of stiff and formal older works. And, it's a cute and heartwarming story to boot — highly recommended!… (more)