“Sappho composed poetry: erotic, sensual, desperate poetry, filled with the anger of desire, wonder at the beauty of the desired one, the sweet languor of gratification. And now her verse has been elevated to new heights in a gorgeous translation by Anne Carson. . . . By bringing her particular kind of austerity to the translation, Ms. Carson has deepened Sappho’s mystery and yet brought us closer to her. . . . Ms. Carson is one of the most extraordinary poets writing in English. In book after book, she has bent and reshaped the poetic form.” ―Dinitia Smith, The New York Times

“A funny, daring, almost preposterous, certainly magnificent project.” ―National Post

“The crème de la crème . . . a gorgeous object . . . [If Not, Winter] is a perfect match of text and translator, for Carson is not only one of the most original poets of our time, but a brilliant scholar of ancient Greek. . . . The most ardent gift of the season.” ―Sheila Farr, The Seattle Times

“Astonishing. . . . This is the Anne Carson we fell in love with years ago: the scholar so enamored of her subject that merely gesturing toward it with a grin was enough to hook the rest of us. . . . If Not, Winter is a selfless, faithful, and boldly delicate achievement.” ―John D’Agata, Boston Review

“[Sappho’s] words here, in Anne Carson’s faithful new translation―come as close as literature can to life, to a direct reflection of experience. . . . [Carson's] command of language is honed to a perfect edge and her approach to the text, respectful yet imaginative, results in verse that lets Sappho shine forth. . . . Carson’s notes are enormously enjoyable. She takes the reader to the very heart of the process of translation.” ―Jamie James, The Los Angeles Times

“[Carson] is a learned and serious scholar. She is also a bracingly modern polymath. . . . The new translation [of If Not, Winter] feels so fresh and new, it seems almost blasphemous. . . . This Sappho is whispering in our ear in a language we can understand.” ―Sarah Goodyear, Time Out New York