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dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual violence, Slavery
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Cannibalism
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, War
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This took me so long to read because all that happens in the middle of it is they have battles. I liked book 1 through 8 and then book 18 through 24. Everything in between is the definition of filler.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, War
Moderate: Sexism
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual harassment, War
Minor: Animal death, Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-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
i don't know if it was just my particular translation or narrator but i laughed out loud several times throughout this book. the drama! the romance! i actually enjoyed it more than the odyssey! but then again, i read it after song of achilles. highly recommend the robert fitzgerald translation read by dan stevens!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I've now read the Iliad 5 times, so I feel like I should probably write some of my thoughts down somewhere. I first read it in 2016 after buying the Penguin clothbound classic edition - I loved Greek mythology already at that time, but reading the Iliad is what made me want to study classics, which I now do. Since then, I have studied the Iliad 3 times and each time I love it more. Most recently, I read parts of it in Ancient Greek for my language class and I gained even more of an appreciation for the epic.
The Iliad takes place in the 10th year of the Trojan War, which is taking place because Paris, Prince of Troy, abducted Helen of Sparta from her husband Menelaus and refused to give her back. The Greeks rallied to Menelaus' aid, but made little progress so the war dragged on. At the beginning of the epic, King Agamemnon angers Apollo and then Achilles, the best Greek warrior. Achilles chooses to sit out of the fighting, a decision that has massive consequences on all of their lives. The epic begins with describing the anger of Achilles and all the war and violence that comes from it.
I can definitely understand why people are intimidated by the Iliad. It's long, and it can be hard to read a text so old if you don't get along with the translation. The first translation I read was a prose translation by E.V. Rieu which I really enjoyed, and I've also read a verse translation by Richmond Lattimore. After reading in the original Greek, I think I'll pay much more attention to translations in the future. There was something so special about reading it in the original language and I don't know quite how to put it into words, but I loved the experience. I noticed so many more details!
I could literally write an essay about the Iliad - and I have multiple times before - but I'll keep my thoughts brief because I don't have the energy to write a really long review! Some of my favourite moments are Book 1, Book 6, Book 16, Book 22 and Book 24, especially because these are parts I've translated myself. I love to analyse the balance between the glorification of war and its devastating effects, especially when looking at Hector as a character. Emotion is key to the epic too, and it's highlighted in the contrast between divinity and humanity. Homer is also amazing with similes and there are a lot of lines I love.
It's not a read that everyone will be able to enjoy, but I highly recommend giving it a go, especially if you are interested in Greek mythology. The Iliad is very special to me and it's been instrumental in the course of my life, especially at university - it's one of, if not my favourite book of all time.
2016 review:
Yet another reread for college. As I read it, I made notes and mind maps with summaries and key quotes for each of the chapters. It's been a while since I last read the Iliad so it was actually really nice to revisit it! This epic ignited my love for classics so it’ll always be special to me.
The Iliad takes place in the 10th year of the Trojan War, which is taking place because Paris, Prince of Troy, abducted Helen of Sparta from her husband Menelaus and refused to give her back. The Greeks rallied to Menelaus' aid, but made little progress so the war dragged on. At the beginning of the epic, King Agamemnon angers Apollo and then Achilles, the best Greek warrior. Achilles chooses to sit out of the fighting, a decision that has massive consequences on all of their lives. The epic begins with describing the anger of Achilles and all the war and violence that comes from it.
I can definitely understand why people are intimidated by the Iliad. It's long, and it can be hard to read a text so old if you don't get along with the translation. The first translation I read was a prose translation by E.V. Rieu which I really enjoyed, and I've also read a verse translation by Richmond Lattimore. After reading in the original Greek, I think I'll pay much more attention to translations in the future. There was something so special about reading it in the original language and I don't know quite how to put it into words, but I loved the experience. I noticed so many more details!
I could literally write an essay about the Iliad - and I have multiple times before - but I'll keep my thoughts brief because I don't have the energy to write a really long review! Some of my favourite moments are Book 1, Book 6, Book 16, Book 22 and Book 24, especially because these are parts I've translated myself. I love to analyse the balance between the glorification of war and its devastating effects, especially when looking at Hector as a character. Emotion is key to the epic too, and it's highlighted in the contrast between divinity and humanity. Homer is also amazing with similes and there are a lot of lines I love.
It's not a read that everyone will be able to enjoy, but I highly recommend giving it a go, especially if you are interested in Greek mythology. The Iliad is very special to me and it's been instrumental in the course of my life, especially at university - it's one of, if not my favourite book of all time.
2016 review:
Yet another reread for college. As I read it, I made notes and mind maps with summaries and key quotes for each of the chapters. It's been a while since I last read the Iliad so it was actually really nice to revisit it! This epic ignited my love for classics so it’ll always be special to me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Grief, War
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Genocide, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief
Moderate: Slavery