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jbelang85's review against another edition
3.0
I gave 3 stars out of respect and because I know the reasons I didn’t like it that much were personal taste. The poem is very well done, but in a style I am not a big fan of. The overall story told was good and I did enjoy a good portion of it and the performance was very good.
bibliophilelinda's review against another edition
5.0
To be a fan of classic literature it is imperative to read, at least once, the powerful poetic epic that is "Paradise Lost". As far as "Paradise Regained", well...this story is not so illuminating, but is still a beautifully written poem. Most everyone living in a Western Civilization already knows the story: Satan is expelled from Heaven and decides to defile the new world God created. He sneaks into the Garden of Eden and finds a way to ruin God's plans by tempting Eve to eat from the tree of knowledge. Eve convinces Adam to do the same and, eventually, they get kicked out of Eden and set on their own.
Since I'm reading this for pleasure and not for academia, it took me a few pages to adjust to the style of writing, but once accustomed, it was easy to follow. The prose and word selection are incomparably beautiful. My favorite quotes from the story include:
"The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."
"Who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe."
"The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.
They, hand in hand, with wand'ring steps and slow
Through Eden took their solitary way."
As far as "Paradise Regained", the story starts with Satan attending the Baptism of Jesus and overhears the pronouncement that Jesus is the Son of God. Angry, Satan decides to overthrow God by tempting his son. While walking through the desert, Jesus is come upon by Satan offering creature comforts, power and knowledge. Jesus rejects all. In the end, Satan is undone by his own scheming and Jesus is left to fulfill his destiny. A destiny Jesus chose for himself in "Paradise Lost".
Admittedly, I like Satan's character in " Paradise Lost" better than in "Paradise Regained". He seemed rather defeated and whiny in "Regained", whereas he appeared charismatic and multi-dimensional in "Lost". I also enjoyed the fact that even God was shown to have some petulant qualities.
Recommended for those who are patient enough to become familiar with the writing style reminiscent of Virgil and Dante, and for those who love epic poetry.
Since I'm reading this for pleasure and not for academia, it took me a few pages to adjust to the style of writing, but once accustomed, it was easy to follow. The prose and word selection are incomparably beautiful. My favorite quotes from the story include:
"The mind is its own place, and in itself
Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."
"Who overcomes
By force, hath overcome but half his foe."
"The world was all before them, where to choose
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide.
They, hand in hand, with wand'ring steps and slow
Through Eden took their solitary way."
As far as "Paradise Regained", the story starts with Satan attending the Baptism of Jesus and overhears the pronouncement that Jesus is the Son of God. Angry, Satan decides to overthrow God by tempting his son. While walking through the desert, Jesus is come upon by Satan offering creature comforts, power and knowledge. Jesus rejects all. In the end, Satan is undone by his own scheming and Jesus is left to fulfill his destiny. A destiny Jesus chose for himself in "Paradise Lost".
Admittedly, I like Satan's character in " Paradise Lost" better than in "Paradise Regained". He seemed rather defeated and whiny in "Regained", whereas he appeared charismatic and multi-dimensional in "Lost". I also enjoyed the fact that even God was shown to have some petulant qualities.
Recommended for those who are patient enough to become familiar with the writing style reminiscent of Virgil and Dante, and for those who love epic poetry.
maferencak's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
jackwwang's review against another edition
a radical clash of the pagan and christian traditions, beautiful language, intriguing theology, but a strange tone due to the clashing traditions
bwood95's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
cartwright's review against another edition
3.0
So the best poetry the English language can manage is a flowery retelling of Genesis 1-3?
nusighba's review against another edition
3.0
"For never can true reconcilement grow,
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep;
Which would but lead me to a worse relapse
And heavier fall: so should I purchase dear
Short intermission bought with double smart."
Based on the rivalry between Satan and God, angels and demons, the outcast of Adam and Eve, the comeback of Jesus, and a few greek mythologies, "Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained" is a complicatedly beautiful collection of blank verses holding immense depth. It took me a good two months to finish this. I never knew stories could be turned into poetry and still hold the same appeal, or even more.
John Milton sure did address the supremacy of God, his power and nobility, but not as much as he did Satan's rationales. He did not tag Satan as merely, Satan. He talked about him reigning over hell, the Pandamonium, gave him traits other than just being evil, often sympathizing with him, and as the 18th century English poet William Blake said, “The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels & God, and at liberty when of Devils & Hell, is because he was a true Poet and of the Devil's party without knowing it.”
This 17th century style poetry might have been a little strenous for me to understand and almost made me want to give up halfway, but I'm glad I didn't.
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep;
Which would but lead me to a worse relapse
And heavier fall: so should I purchase dear
Short intermission bought with double smart."
Based on the rivalry between Satan and God, angels and demons, the outcast of Adam and Eve, the comeback of Jesus, and a few greek mythologies, "Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained" is a complicatedly beautiful collection of blank verses holding immense depth. It took me a good two months to finish this. I never knew stories could be turned into poetry and still hold the same appeal, or even more.
John Milton sure did address the supremacy of God, his power and nobility, but not as much as he did Satan's rationales. He did not tag Satan as merely, Satan. He talked about him reigning over hell, the Pandamonium, gave him traits other than just being evil, often sympathizing with him, and as the 18th century English poet William Blake said, “The reason Milton wrote in fetters when he wrote of Angels & God, and at liberty when of Devils & Hell, is because he was a true Poet and of the Devil's party without knowing it.”
This 17th century style poetry might have been a little strenous for me to understand and almost made me want to give up halfway, but I'm glad I didn't.
blueyorkie's review against another edition
4.0
The mind that is well-established in its place can turn hell into heaven, heaven into a nightmare.
From what place did it come?
From what place did it come?
with_freedom_and_books's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I struggled in the beginning, but I'm so glad to have finished it.