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lazy_raven's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Its was enjoyable. Considered the oldest story in the world. An Ancient Epic Poem. Though Gilgamesh himself is quite dramatic
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual content
mxmorganic's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m docking 1* because my edition features an introduction that makes up almost half of the book (53 pages of intro vs 59 pages of Gilgamesh). There’s nothing inherently wrong with an introduction, or even a lengthy introduction, and Gilgamesh certainly warrants one, but the intro to text ratio leaves me disinclined to keep this on my shelves, taking up space that could go to other texts.
As far as content goes, I really loved Sanders’ rendering of the story. There’s some stunningly beautiful language and imagery here, all in service of a remarkably compelling story about mortality, about learning not to let fear of dying eclipse the wonders of living. I wouldn’t necessarily consider Gilgamesh to be a good person, as many of his actions in the Epic are somewhere between immoral and unnecessary, but there’s an incredibly human element to his extraordinarily grand adventure, and it’s an excellent read.
In short, while it takes up a frustrating amount of space (not very much, to be clear, but I’m still miffed about the length of Sanders’ intro, if only on principle!) I would recommend reading this version of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Absolutely worth the couple of hours I spent reading it through.
As far as content goes, I really loved Sanders’ rendering of the story. There’s some stunningly beautiful language and imagery here, all in service of a remarkably compelling story about mortality, about learning not to let fear of dying eclipse the wonders of living. I wouldn’t necessarily consider Gilgamesh to be a good person, as many of his actions in the Epic are somewhere between immoral and unnecessary, but there’s an incredibly human element to his extraordinarily grand adventure, and it’s an excellent read.
In short, while it takes up a frustrating amount of space (not very much, to be clear, but I’m still miffed about the length of Sanders’ intro, if only on principle!) I would recommend reading this version of the Epic of Gilgamesh. Absolutely worth the couple of hours I spent reading it through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
dmrains's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is my favorite Classic work of literature, and it's so relatable, despite being the oldest work of written literature
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, and War
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Colonisation
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
epeolatrist's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
Minor: Murder
kibiiiariii's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Grief, and Acephobia/Arophobia
27scomar's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Rape
benjiaprout's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content
echoes01's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
ashlightgrayson's review against another edition
sad
medium-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
5.0
The most memorable part of the story for me was the friendship between Enkidu and Gilgamesh. I appreciate stories about found family and friendship. Despite this being an example of a very ancient literary tradition (which is reflected in the way it is written), I still felt for the characters and the trials and tribulations of their friendship and struggles.
I read the Maureen Gallery Kovacs translation and found the footnotes and tablet summaries that prefaced every tablet incredibly helpful in understanding the story as a first time reader. I think the most unfortunate part of this reading experience is knowing that the story is incomplete. Despite this, the translator made sure to point out parts of the tablets that were incomplete or for which there was not a direct translation for certain words. It made me feel like they tried their best to stay as true as possible to the original text. As far as reading epic poems, this is probably not a bad one to start with. It is not difficult to understand, it is reasonably short, and from what I've looked up it has multiple translations.
I read the Maureen Gallery Kovacs translation and found the footnotes and tablet summaries that prefaced every tablet incredibly helpful in understanding the story as a first time reader. I think the most unfortunate part of this reading experience is knowing that the story is incomplete. Despite this, the translator made sure to point out parts of the tablets that were incomplete or for which there was not a direct translation for certain words. It made me feel like they tried their best to stay as true as possible to the original text. As far as reading epic poems, this is probably not a bad one to start with. It is not difficult to understand, it is reasonably short, and from what I've looked up it has multiple translations.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Sexual content
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