It is considered the first science fiction novel. Written in the 2nd century AD, it humorously satirizes and parodies the writers and philosophers of classical antiquity…
“We crossed the river from a place that was shallow and found some amazing vines: their trunks, from root to middle, were thick and strong, but from the middle upwards they were women, perfect in every way, their bodies beginning at the loins. From their fingers sprang branches full of grapes. Their hair was also full of grapes, vines and leaves. As soon as we approached, they greeted and welcomed us, some speaking Lydian, some Indian, but most of them Greek. They gave us intoxicating kisses on the mouth and anyone they kissed was drunk with drunkenness. Only they wouldn’t let us pick grapes, because even if we pretended to pick, they would hurt and squeak. They also wanted to mingle with us; but two of our companions who had touched them could no longer get up, for they stuck to their stuff, grew and took root with them. Their fingers became branches with vines, and it was not long before they would bear fruit.”
The translation and collages of Dimitris Kalokyris bring this imaginary adventure to life.
