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ind24's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
What a masterclass in satirical and rhetorical writing techniques! Brilliant, disturbing, poignant, and ever so relevant in its contents, A Modest Proposal highlights societal apathy in the most cruelly cold voice. A quick must read for everyone!
ireneflwr's review against another edition
4.0
A satirical essay that essentially says "Well, the people are starving because of you, so you've left us no choice. We must eat your children." It's brilliantly written, and its seriousness is just hilarious to read through. One of few times he slips into the real meaning of the essay is when he writes:
"I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for the landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children."
And the realness of the situation, as well as his anger towards it is so blatantly obvious that it almost knocks you out of your seat. He's not really telling you to eat children, you absoloute baffoon, he's telling you that the people are starving, and they don't have the energy to work, and who's fault is that? Exactly. Swift did a brilliant job with this, and I enjoyed it very much.
"I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for the landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children."
And the realness of the situation, as well as his anger towards it is so blatantly obvious that it almost knocks you out of your seat. He's not really telling you to eat children, you absoloute baffoon, he's telling you that the people are starving, and they don't have the energy to work, and who's fault is that? Exactly. Swift did a brilliant job with this, and I enjoyed it very much.
helgamharb's review against another edition
4.0
A Modest Proposal is a satirical essay written anonymously in 1729 suggesting the poor Irish sell their children as food to the wealthy.
In this seriously written essay Swift targets the English government, scorning cruelty towards the poor Irish Catholics.
brimby's review against another edition
3.0
I'm sure it was absolutely peak satire in its day. Groundbreaking, bar-setting satire. But today we're so spoiled with irony, gallows humor and black comedy that I think much of the satirical punch is lost in this one now, sadly. But I still respect what it brought to the table in context.
freshavocado's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
medium-paced
4.0
A satirical classic that retains its bite even centuries after the issues it critiques have been relevant. Swift’s narrator is uncomfortably matter-of-fact and contradictory, more relevant to modern politics and world issues than we would perhaps like to think.
bugcurse's review against another edition
i wonder if modern reading comprehension is better or worse than when this was published