Winner of the John D. Criticos Prize "A riveting, complex and often surprising exegesis that should be made compulsory reading for all students of the Greek world, ancient and modern alike ... Aristophanes has formed a constant and central element in Greek politics and Greek theatre. Van Steen deserves all credit both for isolating this richly rewarding virgin lode, and ... Read moremining it with such skill and perseverance ... Venom in Verse is that rarity among scholarly studies: a beautifully written book, to read and reread rather than merely consult, with added pleasure at each fresh perusal."
Peter Green, Times Literary Supplement "Van Steen demonstrates how dramas originally crafted to play a role in shaping the world's oldest democracy have similarly served the development of a new one on the same territory. Those who associate Aristophanes' only with ancient will certainly profit from reading this volume."
Choice "A delightful and instructive book ... wonderful and highly useful."
Marina Kotzamani, Journal of Modern Greek Studies "In this impressive monograph, Van Steen chronicles the reception history of modern Greek Aristophanic performance from the important revival of Plutus in 1868 to the most recent interpretations of this playwright. She also explores Aristophanes' role as a cultural icon in Greek society, bridging the gap between the elitism of the classics and the mass appeal of Attic comedy."
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