eve140's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
There is something in the translation (Anna Carson's) that bothers me but I can't tell what it is exactly
There is something in the translation (Anna Carson's) that bothers me but I can't tell what it is exactly
poetpenelopee's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jasonfurman's review against another edition
5.0
This was so different from every other Greek tragedy that I've read that I found it fascinating and exciting. Dionysus is in disguise and is arrested by King Pentheus who is trying to keep order even while the people around him, including elders, are being corrupted by his ecstatic and frenzied rituals. It starts out feeling like a silly comedy but then Dionysus gets his brutal and gory revenge. It doesn't not feel completely coherent but it all feels interesting and weird and engaging.
I read the Anne Carson translation and loved it. It was stylized, used interesting ways of displaying the text, and all of it worked well in the context of this play. I really didn't like her translations of [b:An Oresteia|4770925|An Oresteia|Anne Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312074533l/4770925._SX50_.jpg|84600574] which I found were mannered in a way that interfered with a fluid reading of the texts. I liked [b:Antigonick|13305951|Antigonick|Anne Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597593225l/13305951._SX50_.jpg|59618794] because it did not have the pretense of being a translation.
I read the Anne Carson translation and loved it. It was stylized, used interesting ways of displaying the text, and all of it worked well in the context of this play. I really didn't like her translations of [b:An Oresteia|4770925|An Oresteia|Anne Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1312074533l/4770925._SX50_.jpg|84600574] which I found were mannered in a way that interfered with a fluid reading of the texts. I liked [b:Antigonick|13305951|Antigonick|Anne Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597593225l/13305951._SX50_.jpg|59618794] because it did not have the pretense of being a translation.
drobnasrnka's review against another edition
3.0
This is a thrilling story about the bad things in humans but also it shows gods (in this case Dionysos)in very selfish way. There are few very strong scenes and the language is very poetic.
wcook's review against another edition
4.0
“I shall sing Dionysos —
I shall make the simplest sentence explode with his name!”
Tired so review will be short.
Anne Carson is, as always, delicious. This is so wonderful and the translation is darkly musical. Much of Euripides' comedy is dismissed in favor of Carson's dark poetry. This play exists in a delirium
There are lots of interesting things going on here regarding the nature of the dying and rising god - the history of the Horned Phallic God and the relationship between art and the divine - the play is deeply ritualistic.
It is also, a profound artistic statement. Is madness the death of art? Are madness and art the same?
Either way, both belong to Dionysos.
I shall make the simplest sentence explode with his name!”
Tired so review will be short.
Anne Carson is, as always, delicious. This is so wonderful and the translation is darkly musical. Much of Euripides' comedy is dismissed in favor of Carson's dark poetry. This play exists in a delirium
There are lots of interesting things going on here regarding the nature of the dying and rising god - the history of the Horned Phallic God and the relationship between art and the divine - the play is deeply ritualistic.
It is also, a profound artistic statement. Is madness the death of art? Are madness and art the same?
Either way, both belong to Dionysos.
spacestationtrustfund's review against another edition
4.0
This review is of the translation by Anne Carson.
σπαραγμόςUnfortunately this is my favourite version of this play. Something about Dr. Carson's sense of humour just fits perfectly with Euripides's Dionysos.
juaneco's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really enjoyd it, like the og play live anne carson
M5 mole
M5 mole
chartas's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0