Joanna and Ulysses

by May Sarton

For Joanna the month's holiday was to be an escape, a chance to paint and think and release the bitter memories of the war in Greece and of her mother's death. She had chosen the dazzling island of Santorini, remote and inaccessible as her own heart. The holiday was to be a solitary experience. But that was before Joanna met Ulysses, the mistreated little donkey.

Genres: Fiction, Animals, Classics, Novels, Greece

127 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

May Sarton was born on May 3, 1912, in Wondelgem, Belgium, and grew up in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Her first volume of poetry, Encounters in April, was published in 1937 and her first novel, The Single Hound, in 1938. An accomplished memoirist, Sarton boldly came out as a lesbian in her 1965 book Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing. Her later memoir, Journal of a Solitude, was an account of her experiences as a female artist. Sarton died in York, Maine, on July 16, 1995.

Reviews

[Linda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novel takes place 10 years after WW II in Greece. Joanna is taking a month long break from her job and her life with her father in Athens to paint on the island of Santorini. For this trip she hopes to be free of responsibility and of the depressive atmosphere caused by memories of the war and her mother’s death. However, when she steps off the boat she spies a donkey being mistreated and before she knows it she has bought the donkey and named him Ulysses. This beautiful little story proves a changing point for both of them. So well written; a gem.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i don't recall a lot of details from books that I read, mostly just the feeling i get from reading them. this one, upon recollection, still makes me feel warm and happy.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joanna, a would-be artist, takes a long overdue painting vacation on a little Greek island, where she encounters Ulysses, a small donkey. Part of the charm of this short tale about becoming an artist is its description of life on Mykonos and the black and white illustrations of the island, people, and donkeys by James J. Spanfeller.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with the review that said, "simple, elegant". It is short and easy to read, but engaging. As well as the story of a woman finding herself and her inner artist, it gives a glimpse of Greece after WWII.

[Margaret]

A charming and lovely little story, well-written - I could picture everything quite well, even the emotional turmoil Joanna was going through. I really want to visit the Greek Isles now - the scenery sounds gorgeous! :=D

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read for any fans of the poet May Sarton, or anyone who likes the theme of the healing interaction between humans and nature (animals). Somehow I always like stories about donkeys.

[Vv Acevedo · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a tasty little treat this book wasssss. Such a good summer read. Perf for a little day trip. I laughed I cried I grew. What more do you want. I liked reading ideas expressed in another language even if through a butchered translation. This has made me want to seek out more translated books. In conclusion I need to make myself “queer pants” and I <3 Ulysses.

[Mary Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this sweet little story that was so well written! It was like a mini vacation! Enjoyable!

[Susan (aka Just My Op) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, short little book about a woman who goes on vacation to paint and buys a donkey that was being abused. Not a lot of substance to the book, but it is a nice little read.

[Nina Sclafani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little novella. Took about 2 hours to read. Made me feel like I was on vacation.

[Christiane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is the deceptively, at times almost childishly, simple story of an Athenian woman who has been taking care of her father after the death of her mother at the hands of the Nazis. The two of them have been living side by side for years without opening up to each other, never talking about the pain of their loss, stuck in the roles of frail, demanding father and dutiful daughter, The years go by, she works at a humdrum office job, all her youthful dreams of becoming an artist have long been sealed up and she no longer knows who she truly is until she dares to undertake a month’s painting holiday on the island of Santorini.

On the island, little by little, she feels herself relaxing, shedding the weight of the last few years, breathing freely again, opening up to the world and at the same time connecting with her youthful self. She starts painting and after the first clumsy attempts she begins to see and observe, to capture the essence of her subjects. Accompanied by the sweet little donkey she had rescued and a bright young boy, high above the village under the boundless sky and with the Aegean Sea spread out before her she finds strength, peace and creativity again.

The month passes and the dreaded day of return is approaching. What to do with Ulysses, the tiny donkey, and what will happen once she gets home to her narrow life in Athens ?

[Jenny Yates · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is pretty slight, but it could be a very special book to those who enjoy reading about humans being saved by Magic Animals.

The protagonist, Joanna, leaves her home and depressed father behind in Athens, and goes on a painting vacation on a remote Greek island. Immediately on landing, she sees a donkey being abused, and impulsively buys it. It isn’t easy to survive as a tourist with a donkey in tow, but she manages to find lodging for the two of them, and she heals the donkey’s wounds and falls in love with it. In this way, she finds herself as a painter, and when she gets back to Athens, the donkey heals her father’s malaise as well.

I don’t want to imply that the writing is bad, though. Sarton has a graceful touch with prose, and she brings the beauty of the Greek islands to life.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books of all time. I often give it as a gift. I love May Sarton's short novel about a woman, Joanna, who finally gets away to a Greek isle (Santorini) for a solo vacation after years of hardship and sadness during the war (World War II). She hopes to use the time to paint and rest, to drink ouzo and strong coffee, to finally have some time to herself after being her father's caretaker. Instead, immediately upon her arrival, she realizes that she needs to rescue a donkey (Ulysses). She does not want to rescue a donkey. But it all works out. I love the story as well as the setting.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little book/novella! It's a book, published in 1963, that deserves to live on, to not be overshadowed or lost to the sleaze and tripe of modernity or the chintzy disappointments of so much of 2020's "literature".

This is a simple tale of a woman who has lost herself in the trappings of duty, expectation, and grief, and of a little abused donkey who trusts her unconditionally.

It's the best book I've read in a while.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and charming story about how two wounded souls, an injured donkey and a despairing depressed woman trying to overcome the tragic death of her mother during World War II that has destroyed her family, heal one another.

The ending is sheer joy!

[Lauren Richwine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wholeheartedly charming, honest little story about a woman who dares to face her grief and find her true self once again by rescuing a mistreated donkey while on vacation. I adored it.

[Kt Kells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in college and really enjoyed it. I want to read it again!

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely book. It touched my heart.

[Tina Woznick rembish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and inspirational. Just what I needed today! Animals are such a gift.

[Lowe Fehn · Rating 5 out of 5]

goated painter thoughts, really good at moving through grief in a genuine and earnest way, super good pace imo

[Anne Herbison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about Joanna's self-discovery after a life taken over by trauma. It is real - and revealing - about people encountered in different places, and the people we live with everyday.

[Dylan Kakoulli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joanna and Ulysses is a delightfully short, sweet and simply written tale (or tail!), that evokes a wonderfully charming sentiment in its telling.

2.5 stars rounded up

[Madhusree · Rating 4 out of 5]

a short novella, a great read during a camping trip.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

How Joanna got her groove back, with donkeys. Charming, though.