Lucius Apuleius (125?-180) was a writer in the second century A D. His subject matter covered such topics as medicine, philosophy, and poetry. The Golden Ass or Transformation is a collection of tales. This early work is an allegory written in the first person. This picaresque romance concerns the metamorphosis of the hero into an ass. Lucius tries to become a member of a cult but gets transformed into an ass instead. The Golden Ass is possibly the first novel written. Apuleius is a master of imagery and poetic prose. The beauty of this book is well worth the challenge involved in sifting through its many layers.