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binstonbirchill's review against another edition
4.0
This epic poem is about native american folklore and myths and is a great story in many ways. I've never read poems and certainly never epic poetry but I definitely enjoyed this and am looking forward to reading others. The depiction of women is less than heroic, the meter used is borrowed from the Kalevala (the finnish epic) and from what i'm led to believe the folklore & myths are not entirely true folklore and myths. All that being said, I enjoyed it and want to read more and will probably look for other sources of native american folklore. I read the Free Kindle edition and found no issues at all.
larkspire's review against another edition
2.0
I liked most of the book. It's nice to see poetry based on Native American stories, even if it's a little misguided in blending a whole lot of different tales together and attributing them all to Hiawatha even though they probably pre-date him by hundreds of years. Oh, and I disagree with Longfellow's choice to use a secondary source rather removed from the cultures the stories come from.
Then the two Manifest Destiny chapters come in. Christ.
The metre was cool but the repetition wasn't to my taste. I'm not sure whether it was purely a stylistic choice, or simply Longfellow twisting himself in knots to satisfy the metre.
Then the two Manifest Destiny chapters come in. Christ.
The metre was cool but the repetition wasn't to my taste. I'm not sure whether it was purely a stylistic choice, or simply Longfellow twisting himself in knots to satisfy the metre.
lnatal's review
4.0
From BBC Radio 4 - Drama:
This epic narrative poem, with its picturesque and highly imaginative tales, threads the many aspects of native American mythology concerning life, nature and ritual. Weaving together "beautiful traditions into a whole" as Longfellow intended.
This epic narrative poem, with its picturesque and highly imaginative tales, threads the many aspects of native American mythology concerning life, nature and ritual. Weaving together "beautiful traditions into a whole" as Longfellow intended.
annyway47's review
5.0
The first time I read this I was in middle school. Back then I read it quickly to be in time for the deadline and didn't think much of it - it seemed too straightforward to me.
Now, a decade later, I reread it and absolutely loved it.
Firstly, I am now a bigger lover of poetry and really appreciated both Longfellow's masterful verse and stylization, and Bunin's brilliant translation. I read the parallel text in this bilingual edition, so you could say I read it twice just now.
Secondly, I've acquired some cultural and historical context. For instance, I've just finished [b:Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West|76401|Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee An Indian History of the American West|Dee Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388209846l/76401._SY75_.jpg|1240262] which opened my heart and mind to the beauty of Native American myths. It really enhanced my reading experience and appreciation.
I'm glad Longfellow retold the collected legends in a way that drew the western reader in while preserving the myth's imaginative substance. I especially loved the one about Hiawatha & Mondamin.
Overall I think it's a brilliant piece of art, the subject matter is very interesting, but also I simply really cared for the characters.
P.S. Having said all that, the epilogue was disgusting. I guess without it Longfellow probably couldn't have published this work, or if he did, it wouldn't have become so popular. But still, ugh.
Now, a decade later, I reread it and absolutely loved it.
Firstly, I am now a bigger lover of poetry and really appreciated both Longfellow's masterful verse and stylization, and Bunin's brilliant translation. I read the parallel text in this bilingual edition, so you could say I read it twice just now.
Secondly, I've acquired some cultural and historical context. For instance, I've just finished [b:Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West|76401|Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee An Indian History of the American West|Dee Brown|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388209846l/76401._SY75_.jpg|1240262] which opened my heart and mind to the beauty of Native American myths. It really enhanced my reading experience and appreciation.
I'm glad Longfellow retold the collected legends in a way that drew the western reader in while preserving the myth's imaginative substance. I especially loved the one about Hiawatha & Mondamin.
Overall I think it's a brilliant piece of art, the subject matter is very interesting, but also I simply really cared for the characters.
P.S. Having said all that, the epilogue was disgusting. I guess without it Longfellow probably couldn't have published this work, or if he did, it wouldn't have become so popular. But still, ugh.
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