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louiza_read2live's review against another edition
4.0
Milton's Paradise Lost is a brilliant work worth reading, but it is not an easy read.
The theme and several references were familiar due to my Greek Christian cultural background which made it easier to understand; however, I found the language very difficult, especially in the first pages that I had to read them several times to even start understanding who was talking, when, and what was happening.
Eventually, I got used to the language and style, and it flowed easier, but I still needed to highlight every time a character spoke and I needed a dictionary on more words than I can count, some of which they were not even in the dictionary and I had to figure them out from the context or roots of the word. Also, the long lists of mixed Roman and Greek ancient references (many unknown to me) felt dull and possibly unnecessary to that extend.
It was annoying, albeit the knowledge interesting, to interrupt my reading each time to find out the name or place he was mentioning.
Nevertheless, I am impressed with Milton's incredible talent to basically take a few bible verses and summarize in this long epic poem the most fundamental biblical themes by imagining a whole world in details written with such brilliant descriptions, narration, and dialogues.
Paradise Regained...
The theme and several references were familiar due to my Greek Christian cultural background which made it easier to understand; however, I found the language very difficult, especially in the first pages that I had to read them several times to even start understanding who was talking, when, and what was happening.
Eventually, I got used to the language and style, and it flowed easier, but I still needed to highlight every time a character spoke and I needed a dictionary on more words than I can count, some of which they were not even in the dictionary and I had to figure them out from the context or roots of the word. Also, the long lists of mixed Roman and Greek ancient references (many unknown to me) felt dull and possibly unnecessary to that extend.
It was annoying, albeit the knowledge interesting, to interrupt my reading each time to find out the name or place he was mentioning.
Nevertheless, I am impressed with Milton's incredible talent to basically take a few bible verses and summarize in this long epic poem the most fundamental biblical themes by imagining a whole world in details written with such brilliant descriptions, narration, and dialogues.
Paradise Regained...
_bookmoth's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Nobody can deny that Paradise Lost is a masterpiece in language (I won't go into that, many websites will enlighten you on this). However, I do have my issues with some story elements. An omniscient, all-knowing, all-powerful God makes the whole of creation and its trials and tribulations awkward and the story less meaningful. I do understand knowing the future does not take away free-will of Adam and Eve, but it just makes certain conversations feel useless. Maybe it would work better for me when God was less prominent. Speaking of which, trying to have a father and son conversation with an omnipotent entity and his son does also not really work. It feels contrived, like having King Charles gone fishing in shorts with his sons. And what happened to the Holy Ghost?
A minor annoyance was the scene where Satan brought his cannons to shoot at the angels. Just no.
Finally, Paradise Regained felt like sequel trying to cash in more money after the success of Paradise Lost. And one of those sequels that would only be released on DVD. It had some similar elements but weaker, and the 'regained' part, to me, was not impactful.
A minor annoyance was the scene where Satan brought his cannons to shoot at the angels. Just no.
Finally, Paradise Regained felt like sequel trying to cash in more money after the success of Paradise Lost. And one of those sequels that would only be released on DVD. It had some similar elements but weaker, and the 'regained' part, to me, was not impactful.
unavezmas's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I want to preface this review by saying I am not religious and I've never read the Bible.
It refers to angels as ethereal.
Most men love the idea of being good more than actually doing good. Not that you need to be religious for that.
I see Belial is such a woman enjoyer. 😌
On multiple occasions Satan points out that he doesn't care at all about humans, he just wants to spite Heaven.
I am totally not surprised Sin is a woman. And afaik the only woman among demons and angels.
It refers to angels as ethereal.
Most men love the idea of being good more than actually doing good. Not that you need to be religious for that.
I see Belial is such a woman enjoyer. 😌
On multiple occasions Satan points out that he doesn't care at all about humans, he just wants to spite Heaven.
I am totally not surprised Sin is a woman. And afaik the only woman among demons and angels.
thereadingcat15's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
bhall237's review against another edition
4.0
"On the other side Adam, soon as he heard
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed,
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed;
From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke."
Similar to my reflections on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri or Beowulf by Unknown, it's hard to analyze or introduce new discourse to a work of literature so famous, especially with Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained reflecting on the Bible, that hasn't been discussed before. I find it more fun and constructive to reflect on what I enjoyed in reading, of which there is a lot to enjoy here.
In humanizing and shifting perspectives of many characters and events featured in the Bible, a massive undertaking, I found this to be one of the most beautiful epic poems to ever grace the medium of literature. The incredible detail and prose of dialogue from Milton flows like wine and doesn't stop from beginning to end. This was a long read, but one I would happily start again with just how much there is to consume and analyze in every facet.
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amazed,
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relaxed;
From his slack hand the garland wreathed for Eve
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed:
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length
First to himself he inward silence broke."
Similar to my reflections on The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri or Beowulf by Unknown, it's hard to analyze or introduce new discourse to a work of literature so famous, especially with Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained reflecting on the Bible, that hasn't been discussed before. I find it more fun and constructive to reflect on what I enjoyed in reading, of which there is a lot to enjoy here.
In humanizing and shifting perspectives of many characters and events featured in the Bible, a massive undertaking, I found this to be one of the most beautiful epic poems to ever grace the medium of literature. The incredible detail and prose of dialogue from Milton flows like wine and doesn't stop from beginning to end. This was a long read, but one I would happily start again with just how much there is to consume and analyze in every facet.
alanffm's review against another edition
5.0
A masterpiece. Beautiful, engaging, powerful. Milton's ability to refer to mythology is astounding and that ability adds so much more to the poem. This retelling of the fall of man and what came before it is so over the top that at times I felt it was fan fiction. Still beautifully written. Strongly recommend.