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thevillainschronicles's review against another edition
challenging
funny
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kaeschmidty's review against another edition
funny
2.25
(read for western lit class) no this was actually wild like they could say a penis started flying around and i’d believe it atp
ida03a's review against another edition
3.5
This was an interesting read, but I oddly didn't fint it as entertaining as Kong Oidipus. The humour of the book made me laugh at times, but it often became too ridiculous to really laugh at, and the age of this work shines through. What I found the most interesting about this was discussing it as pro or anti feminism. Is the author trying to make fun of the women or show of their abilities with this play? We'll probably never really know.
emirenaexo's review against another edition
3.0
Although the play itself is interesting and has literary merit--it's an ancient Greek drama, for Christ's sake--I have to admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of the "modern translation". If I'm going to read Greek drama, I want the language. I want all of the experience, and I don't want to see Spartans portrayed as Duck Dynasty caricatures. But it's impossible to deny: the satire is strong in this one.
Lysistrata has had enough of the interminable war and come to the conclusion that the only way to end it is to take control of the treasury and, furthermore, to deny all sexual gratification until a truce has been called. And she means so much business that she gets the Spartan women involved, too.
Women were, at this time, considered intrinsically sexual beings, insatiable in their desires and therefore requiring male control. For an audience in that time period--mainly male, with the few females consisting of bourgeoisie whose sole job was to be bourgeoisie--the idea of women controlling the treasury and commanding control of the society to end the war would be highly ridiculous and hilarious. And yet the cutting edge of satire remains.
Lysistrata has had enough of the interminable war and come to the conclusion that the only way to end it is to take control of the treasury and, furthermore, to deny all sexual gratification until a truce has been called. And she means so much business that she gets the Spartan women involved, too.
Women were, at this time, considered intrinsically sexual beings, insatiable in their desires and therefore requiring male control. For an audience in that time period--mainly male, with the few females consisting of bourgeoisie whose sole job was to be bourgeoisie--the idea of women controlling the treasury and commanding control of the society to end the war would be highly ridiculous and hilarious. And yet the cutting edge of satire remains.
incendiarism's review against another edition
4.0
The play itself receives four stars from me; however, this particular translation would be more like a one and a half. I can't remember for the life of me who the translator was for the version I originally read, but it was thoroughly enjoyable. This one, on the other hand, was something I had to force myself to get through. The attempt at using "hip" phrases was a failure, in my opinion, and I don't understand why Lampito had to have what can only be described as a hick/hillbilly accent. Some of the innuendo was still amusing, but it certainly didn't make me laugh out loud like other translations have.
I would recommend just about any version of this play before the Signet Classics edition.
I would recommend just about any version of this play before the Signet Classics edition.
lenci's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
klain's review against another edition
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
ok, this was acutally so funny, reflective and ahead of its time?
emi_dilli's review against another edition
4.0
Hilarious and witty. Some fantastic imagery and symbolism with domestic items taking on a newfound political power. A battle of the sexes and a surprisingly favourable account of the female experience. A great read
lingualibri's review against another edition
3.0
Despite this book being a mere 89 pages, it still took me nearly a month to finish, due to lack of motivation. It was a nice thing to keep in my purse to read when I was stuck in public somewhere, but the plot felt a little weak. As in, "The women withhold sex from their husbands to stop the war." Literally, that's the entire story. The plot description IS the entire story. If the story had been a little more fleshed out, I probably would have been more interested.
Also, I don't understand why all the Spartans were Scottish? Is that just how Sommerstein decided to translate it? I mean, it's one thing to indicate that the visitors had an accent, but actual bagpipes were involved, and I just don't feel like that's very authentic. If someone has a legitimate and reasonable explanation for this, please let me know. I would love to hear it.
Also, I don't understand why all the Spartans were Scottish? Is that just how Sommerstein decided to translate it? I mean, it's one thing to indicate that the visitors had an accent, but actual bagpipes were involved, and I just don't feel like that's very authentic. If someone has a legitimate and reasonable explanation for this, please let me know. I would love to hear it.