Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A bit lengthier than my usual reads but oh god, I do love me some Greek Mythology. It's not just the stories being interesting—but the truth it holds and tells which are still relevant in modern society. A lot to learn on how wars tear apart human beings, the hate, the anger, the jealousy etc. etc. At times, it does get boring due to the length of it; however, the satisfaction after finishing it is worth it. But, at times, it's also tough to understand but eh, you'll get it somehow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Murder, War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
Minor: Incest
“Anger- sing, goddess, the anger of Achilles son of Peleus, that accursed anger, which brought the Greeks endless suffering and sent the mighty souls of many warriors to Hades, leaving their bodies as carrion for the dogs and a feast for the birds; and Zeus’ purpose was fulfilled. It all began when Agamemnon lord of men and godlike Achilles quarrelled and parted.”
Genuinely think that is the best opening to a story EVER^^
This was great I forgot how much I loved the story- in terms of actual story i prefer the Iliad over the odyssey however I found that the odyssey was a lot easier to read.
Book 2 was both one of my favourites and also almost the end of me- I had a lot of fun flipping back and forth between the map and the list of boats but oh my days did I want to rip my hair out my the end.
Book 3 and 7 were also some of my favs
Book 10 was great- live laugh love Odysseus
Book 16
Genuinely think that is the best opening to a story EVER^^
This was great I forgot how much I loved the story- in terms of actual story i prefer the Iliad over the odyssey however I found that the odyssey was a lot easier to read.
Book 2 was both one of my favourites and also almost the end of me- I had a lot of fun flipping back and forth between the map and the list of boats but oh my days did I want to rip my hair out my the end.
Book 3 and 7 were also some of my favs
Book 10 was great- live laugh love Odysseus
Book 16
dark
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved it speacially when the gods intervene, some parts were dull because when a soldier is described Homer tells their hole lineage, who is the father and mother where they come from that for me was the hardest but still I enjoyed to get to know more greek names.
“We men are wretched creatures and the gods have woven grief into our lives: but they themselves are free from care.” -achilles
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Giving a starred rating to The Iliad feels weird because, well… it’s The Iliad. Whether I enjoyed it or not, it’s still going to be one of the world’s fundamental works. That said, I did very much enjoy it. I can’t read Ancient Greek, so I can’t really comment on the translation, but it felt readily comprehensible without sounding overly modernized. I know one frequent critique of this translation is that it’s sometimes uncharitable towards its female characters; however, I thought that Helen in particular came across as a believable and even relatable — if you haven’t lamented your birth in the harsh light of the consequences of your impulsive romantic decisions, you haven’t lived enough yet.
This is also a truly action-packed story. A significant portion of the book is descriptions of battle. A character will be introduced, you’ll hear a bit about his backstory, and then he’ll be graphically cut down. Soldiers have their eyeballs popped out of their head, their skulls split open, and their guts spilled everywhere. Honestly, at times, the rhythm of reading the text felt more than a little similar to the experience of watching 300. If you’re intimidated by “the classics” because you fear a slow, introspective read, this would be a fantastic option.
I also found the interactions between the gods and the mortals to be some of the most interesting parts of the book. The gods make numerous interventions in the war, both through psychological and direct physical manipulation. Feeling as though your fate is in the hands of entities far more powerful than you are, who make decisions based largely around interpersonal squabbles, is terrifying, and yet, it’s an apt metaphor for many of the challenges of living in a human society.
A violent, moving, and timeless work.
This is also a truly action-packed story. A significant portion of the book is descriptions of battle. A character will be introduced, you’ll hear a bit about his backstory, and then he’ll be graphically cut down. Soldiers have their eyeballs popped out of their head, their skulls split open, and their guts spilled everywhere. Honestly, at times, the rhythm of reading the text felt more than a little similar to the experience of watching 300. If you’re intimidated by “the classics” because you fear a slow, introspective read, this would be a fantastic option.
I also found the interactions between the gods and the mortals to be some of the most interesting parts of the book. The gods make numerous interventions in the war, both through psychological and direct physical manipulation. Feeling as though your fate is in the hands of entities far more powerful than you are, who make decisions based largely around interpersonal squabbles, is terrifying, and yet, it’s an apt metaphor for many of the challenges of living in a human society.
A violent, moving, and timeless work.