"A brilliant book. . . . In recapturing the exquisite ambiguity of Apuleius's Golden Ass, John J. Winkler has taken one of the liveliest books in the Latin language out of the state of suspended animation to which it had been condemned by monolithic interpretations."—Peter Brown, author of Augusting of Hippo "In this scholarly and lively study, Winkler tackles the elusive meaning of one of the most famous and most arcane works of classical literature. Applying methods intelligently derived from recent advances in French narratology, Winkler builds a persuasive case for a new look at Apuleius's discursive and historical strategies."—Marc E. Blanchard, Comparative Literature "Winkler's book is a magnificent performance: quite apart from a mighty range of classical learning and a style full of sophistication, verve and personality, he deploys with authority and with such clarity as is possible a sensitive and largely jargon-free modern narratology philologorum in usum."—Ken Dowden, The Classical Review "This sophisticated, imaginative, erudite work belongs on the shelf of every classicist interested in literary theory, popular culture, satire, or religion."—Amy Richlin, Classical World