Reviews

Carson's 'translation' of Antigone is as compelling as all her other work, mixing in anachronisms (references to Hegel, etc.) and vibrantly alive. As with her other books, there's a visual element: in this case interleaving transparent pages with illustrations by Bianca Stone and hand-inked lettering of the text.

vivizinha's review against another edition

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5.0

Anne Carson used her translation of Sophocles' Antigone to write an (re)interpretation of the original play and I really loved it. She uses words in a very playful way, the characters seem so ancient but also so modern.

"I mean can a person be so completely conscious of being unconscious that she is guilty of her own repression is that what I’m guilty of"

daisyvb's review against another edition

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reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I think I'm meant to watch plays and not read them; it takes a lot for them to land in my mind when they are just words. I think this is likely also better, when one has some familiarity with the story of Antigone beyond the basics of her desire to bury her brother. Some really amazing lines of dialogue and speeches in here, and great concepts. I'll return once I've read more on the original story.

achillesheeled's review against another edition

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5.0

ANTIGONE: O one and only head of my sister whose blood intersects with my own in too many ways / the dead are cold / they’ll welcome me
ISMENE: you are a person in love with the impossible

i am a firm believer that translated texts should never read as if they were originally written in english and this is a great example of why.

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