Beginning with nontraditional readings of a fragment of a Sappho love poem, Nilsson (Byzantine studies, Uppsala U., Sweden) introduces a dozen chapters on the themes of literary and narratological analysis. Contributors interpret the relationship between author and reader in drawing meanings from ancient Greek and Roman love poetry (of Catulles, Sulpicia, Dioscorides) and early Greek novels, through Byzantine period texts (e.g., the 11th century Persian epic poem , Vámiq and 'Adrá, and Niketas Choniates'12th century Historical Narrative (which is more erotic than it sounds). The anthology was inspired by a symposium titled Loving Reading: Narrative, Poetics, and Eros held at the editor's campus in 2006. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)