Reviews

The Aeneid by Virgil

jchimpius's review against another edition

4.0

Almost perfect. At times there are so many characters and it becomes difficult to follow. The story of Aeneas and his trip to Italy from books 1-6 is perfect in my opinion. Every book has a clear tone and direction with engaging characters and important reflections on Homeric/ Roman mythology. The story of Aeneas and Dido can be applied to free will and conversations of philosophy but also is a realistic telling of how a couple can end so tragically despite starting perfectly. Book six is the inspiration for Dante's Divine Comedy and it is excellent as an analysis of knowledge and I would not be surprised if Virgil took inspiration from Cicero's republic for this cosmic detachment. The final books seem unfinished and Virigl himself was never happy with the poem. Too many battle scenes happen without much purpose but the final battle is tremendous and ties the whole second half together with perhaps the best ending I have ever experienced in fiction.

ekeenan27's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

snail_onbreak's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Dido was the best (rip queen)

alaan's review against another edition

3.0

first half:

carson_anne's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

4.75

amy_da1sy's review against another edition

adventurous challenging informative slow-paced

3.0

faymus1985's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

gray_ghost's review against another edition

4.0

The Latin Odyssey, this classic tells a tale of a Latin wanderer who travels across the western mediterranean, meeting the famous queen Dido of Carthage.

4delkk's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

steven_nobody's review against another edition

3.0

This is the story of what became of a group of Trojans after the fall of their city. Except for Aeneas, you get to know the other characters only a line or two before someone yanks out their lungs on a spearhead or their severed hands go about grasping for a weapon. The Aeneid is way too long.