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sams84's review against another edition
4.0
This is an absolutely epic read but, this version at least, is surprisingly easy to read and follow and has a lot of familiar aspects, characters, stories, events etc. As well as telling the original stories that we now take for granted this is also worth reading to see how stories and story telling has changed very little in the thousands of years since this was first written/told. The stories themselves are packed with action and emotion with characters that you both love and hate, and some you swing around repeatedly. Well worth taking the time to get through.
codysmovingcastle's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to audiobook of the Emily Wilson translation, so I'll be rating the translation, rather than the story. While any version of The Iliad should really be listened to (as the story was originally intended), this translation pays extra attention to the iambic pentameter in an attempt to keep that close to the original poems. This is what makes her translation distinct from the others.
The translation is less flowery; the prose is more direct, rather than free verse. This works really well, especially in an audio format. I think you'll find critics say that this translation is too modern, but, just because it isn't as wordy as Lattimore, it isn't less sophisticated or lesser in any way. Each character still has their own unique voice, it's just as brutal/descriptive as other translations, and Wilson takes care honouring Homeric language.
Just like with The Odyssey, a lot of the critics seem to be rooted in misogyny or haven't read the introduction explaining the intent of this translation.
Also: big shout out to Wilson for not calling Helen a slut when she literally just reproaches herself and calls herself dog-faced.
The translation is less flowery; the prose is more direct, rather than free verse. This works really well, especially in an audio format. I think you'll find critics say that this translation is too modern, but, just because it isn't as wordy as Lattimore, it isn't less sophisticated or lesser in any way. Each character still has their own unique voice, it's just as brutal/descriptive as other translations, and Wilson takes care honouring Homeric language.
Just like with The Odyssey, a lot of the critics seem to be rooted in misogyny or haven't read the introduction explaining the intent of this translation.
Also: big shout out to Wilson for not calling Helen a slut when she literally just reproaches herself and calls herself dog-faced.
theresatunnelunderoceanblvd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
_sal_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Much like many of it's character were aware of the magnitude of this war and how their affailiation to it would etch their names for time immemorial i too feel that the tale of the Fall of Troy will be one of those stories that will never seize to capture the minds of people. Who knows how many more years will the Iliad rein supreme in when speaking of Ancient tales. Will its text outlive the human race just as it did all those people who worked to preserve it for more than 2700 years?
I had always wanted to read the Iliad and of course the odyssey but felt intimated by the sheer amount of Greek mythology imbedded in it. However after having finally read it i can say that one gets used to the writing and the constant "____son of ____ tamer of ___" lol. At first i of course found myself having to pause to look at the end notes to find more about these characters but after a while and 600 pages later i got slowly used to it.
I am glad of finally reading it and trying to explain the magnitude of my love for it would be futile. Another thing that would be futile would be to try and comprehend the vastness of its pages and the indelible mark it has had for humanity in general.
The rage of Achilles has lived this long and learning about it through this was an experience that Im sure will never seize to capture my imagination, i cant wait to start the Odyssey some day.
"There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover's whisper, irresistible—magic to make the sanest man go mad."
"The best of men and women are those who have been tested by adversity and have come out the other side with their spirits intact.
I had always wanted to read the Iliad and of course the odyssey but felt intimated by the sheer amount of Greek mythology imbedded in it. However after having finally read it i can say that one gets used to the writing and the constant "____son of ____ tamer of ___" lol. At first i of course found myself having to pause to look at the end notes to find more about these characters but after a while and 600 pages later i got slowly used to it.
I am glad of finally reading it and trying to explain the magnitude of my love for it would be futile. Another thing that would be futile would be to try and comprehend the vastness of its pages and the indelible mark it has had for humanity in general.
The rage of Achilles has lived this long and learning about it through this was an experience that Im sure will never seize to capture my imagination, i cant wait to start the Odyssey some day.
"There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover's whisper, irresistible—magic to make the sanest man go mad."
"The best of men and women are those who have been tested by adversity and have come out the other side with their spirits intact.
catflapper's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
theqweenizzy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
anareadss1's review against another edition
no pude, lo siento.
sé que es un clásico, muy importante, ya lo sé, pero Dios, que aburrido está. ¿por qué escribían así, Dios Santo? en serio, no me parece buena estrategia de lectura. ¿En serio antes así escribían o incluso hablaban? No sé, no creo, pero no puedo seguir leyéndolo, me aburre, revolotea demasiado las palabras. Para decir una sola cosa, Homero escribía un párrafo de media hoja. Me duele la cabeza de solo pensar en ponerme a leerlo y le quita la emoción a la lectura. Y a la vida.
Díganme inculta, está bien, yo seguiré leyendo feliz y emocionada mis enemies to lovers y smut y distopias y romances, bye.
sé que es un clásico, muy importante, ya lo sé, pero Dios, que aburrido está. ¿por qué escribían así, Dios Santo? en serio, no me parece buena estrategia de lectura. ¿En serio antes así escribían o incluso hablaban? No sé, no creo, pero no puedo seguir leyéndolo, me aburre, revolotea demasiado las palabras. Para decir una sola cosa, Homero escribía un párrafo de media hoja. Me duele la cabeza de solo pensar en ponerme a leerlo y le quita la emoción a la lectura. Y a la vida.
Díganme inculta, está bien, yo seguiré leyendo feliz y emocionada mis enemies to lovers y smut y distopias y romances, bye.