Georgia L. Irby is a Professor of Classics at William and Mary, USA. Her research interests include the history of Greco-Roman science, mythology, literature, and religion; her recent books include two volumes on water in Antiquity: Conceptions of the Watery World in Greco-Roman Antiquity and Using and Conquering the Watery World in Greco-Roman Antiquity (2021), Companion to Science, Technology and Medicine in the Ancient World (2016), A Little Latin Reader (2017), and A New Latin Primer (2015: both with Mary English).

"...the book offers a convincing exploration of the novel’s classical atmosphere and, further, is a valuable addition to the scholarship on Grahame. It also provides an exciting development for classical reception studies in children’s literature: namely, a book-length, detailed investigation of classical intertexts in an influential children’s novel – a model that we hope will inspire further such endeavours." - The Classical Review

• 1. Kenneth Grahame and the Secret World of the Imagination 2. The Wind in the Willows and Ancient Epic 3. The Heroic Landscape 4. Polymetis and Polytropos: Sage Water Rat and "Clever" Toad of Toad Hall 5. Adventure: the Wine-Dark Sea, Motor Cars, and the Sea Rat 6. Temptation and Oblivion: Lotus-Eaters and Sirens 7. Kleos and Aristeia: Glory and the Battles for the Halls 8. Nostos and Dulce Domum 9. Conclusion: the Spirit of Divine Discontent and Longing

Georgia L. Irby is a Professor of Classics at William and Mary, USA. Her research interests include the history of Greco-Roman science, mythology, literature, and religion; her recent books include two volumes on water in Antiquity: Conceptions of the Watery World in Greco-Roman Antiquity and Using and Conquering the Watery World in Greco-Roman Antiquity (2021), Companion to Science, Technology and Medicine in the Ancient World (2016), A Little Latin Reader (2017), and A New Latin Primer (2015: both with Mary English).

"...the book offers a convincing exploration of the novel’s classical atmosphere and, further, is a valuable addition to the scholarship on Grahame. It also provides an exciting development for classical reception studies in children’s literature: namely, a book-length, detailed investigation of classical intertexts in an influential children’s novel – a model that we hope will inspire further such endeavours." - The Classical Review

• 1. Kenneth Grahame and the Secret World of the Imagination 2. The Wind in the Willows and Ancient Epic 3. The Heroic Landscape 4. Polymetis and Polytropos: Sage Water Rat and "Clever" Toad of Toad Hall 5. Adventure: the Wine-Dark Sea, Motor Cars, and the Sea Rat 6. Temptation and Oblivion: Lotus-Eaters and Sirens 7. Kleos and Aristeia: Glory and the Battles for the Halls 8. Nostos and Dulce Domum 9. Conclusion: the Spirit of Divine Discontent and Longing

Georgia L. Irby is a Professor of Classics at William and Mary, USA. Her research interests include the history of Greco-Roman science, mythology, literature, and religion; her recent books include two volumes on water in Antiquity: Conceptions of the Watery World in Greco-Roman Antiquity and Using and Conquering the Watery World in Greco-Roman Antiquity (2021), Companion to Science, Technology and Medicine in the Ancient World (2016), A Little Latin Reader (2017), and A New Latin Primer (2015: both with Mary English).

"...the book offers a convincing exploration of the novel’s classical atmosphere and, further, is a valuable addition to the scholarship on Grahame. It also provides an exciting development for classical reception studies in children’s literature: namely, a book-length, detailed investigation of classical intertexts in an influential children’s novel – a model that we hope will inspire further such endeavours." - The Classical Review

• 1. Kenneth Grahame and the Secret World of the Imagination 2. The Wind in the Willows and Ancient Epic 3. The Heroic Landscape 4. Polymetis and Polytropos: Sage Water Rat and "Clever" Toad of Toad Hall 5. Adventure: the Wine-Dark Sea, Motor Cars, and the Sea Rat 6. Temptation and Oblivion: Lotus-Eaters and Sirens 7. Kleos and Aristeia: Glory and the Battles for the Halls 8. Nostos and Dulce Domum 9. Conclusion: the Spirit of Divine Discontent and Longing