releaserina's review
2.0
Antigone Rising by Helen Morales — Each chapter of this book explores a different classical Greco-Roman myth and how it relates to contemporary activism in LGBTQ+ rights, feminism, ecology, and the fight for racial justice. There was some good stuff in here and I liked being reminded of the successful modern retellings of classic myth to further illustrate the timelessness of these ancient stories. Overall it felt like a cramped collection of lite pop articles without a strong overarching connection. I wanted more.
readerandcat's review
4.0
So many new perspectives... not my usual genre but definetly worth the read. I might come back to my obsession with mythology through this. Love it!
jessicapc's review
3.0
Quite uneven.
I should probably start by saying that I am a huge Antigone "fan" : I have been since I was 13 and we studied Anouilh's play in literature class. His Antigone is one of the literary characters I have related to the most for basically my whole life, and I have read and/or studied many versions of this myth since.
So I entered into this work of non-fiction *biased*.
A good part of the book is focused on our times with no or only a flimsy connection to the myths. While interesting, this is not why I picked up this book - and it did not bring any type of perspective I hadn't read before.
I especially enjoyed the section on Lysistrata and the last section on trans perspectives - and will probably read that last one again.
I would say worth picking up from the library, but adjust your expectations accordingly.
I should probably start by saying that I am a huge Antigone "fan" : I have been since I was 13 and we studied Anouilh's play in literature class. His Antigone is one of the literary characters I have related to the most for basically my whole life, and I have read and/or studied many versions of this myth since.
So I entered into this work of non-fiction *biased*.
A good part of the book is focused on our times with no or only a flimsy connection to the myths. While interesting, this is not why I picked up this book - and it did not bring any type of perspective I hadn't read before.
I especially enjoyed the section on Lysistrata and the last section on trans perspectives - and will probably read that last one again.
I would say worth picking up from the library, but adjust your expectations accordingly.
kindledspiritsbooks's review
4.0
Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths by Helen Morales is an innovative and fresh look at a range of stories and cultural phenomena from classical antiquity and how they can be read subversively in line with modern feminist thought. I enjoyed the authors comparisons of modern female resistors such as Greta Thunberg and Malala Yousafzai to Antigone and her chapter of transmythology and queering the classical canon took me straight back to my undergrad dissertation! With some of the other chapters, the connection to classics felt a bit tenuous so I would advise readers to consider this a series of accessible cultural essays rather than hardcore academia. If you’ve just read books like Circe, The Silence of The Girls or A Thousand Ships - this is a great follow up read!
wldflwrs's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Read for class-- discussed feminism in mythology.
mare_06's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
such a fun read! really informative and easy to read. the links made to today and pop culture were clever and enlightening to read, to say the least. it offers a new perspective on antiquity, one that's possible to love for women.
it's intersectional as well; queerness and blackness are discussed at lenght and taken into account. plus Morales' writing style is witty and fun to read, despite to more serious topics discussed. absolutely love how many current day events are brought up (like the climate crisis!!)
in general it was very refreshing to read an inclusive view on antiquity, to hear the parts of it that are usually glossed over in classes. it really touched me and made me want to learn more about those times. def recommend it. only reason I gave 4.75 stars is bc I would've liked if it was longer :)
it's intersectional as well; queerness and blackness are discussed at lenght and taken into account. plus Morales' writing style is witty and fun to read, despite to more serious topics discussed. absolutely love how many current day events are brought up (like the climate crisis!!)
in general it was very refreshing to read an inclusive view on antiquity, to hear the parts of it that are usually glossed over in classes. it really touched me and made me want to learn more about those times. def recommend it. only reason I gave 4.75 stars is bc I would've liked if it was longer :)
nicolasvallaey's review against another edition
4.5
Het hoofdstuk over dieet en #metu waren immens goed