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bwood95's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hunziker's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
see_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A fresh and modern look at one of the most ancient poems in existence. Helle's use of white page space to show missing fragments is deft and highlights how much of our (current) understanding of Gilgamesh is impacted by textual absences. The essays at the end are elucidating and appealled to my Classicist roots, though perhaps were a little shallow at times (by the very fact that they are aimed at not specialist audiences). I also appreciated how Helle drew attention to the poems roots in modern day Iraq, rather than eliding it's origins like many museums so with Mesopotamian artefacts.
Gilgamesh the poem demonstrates the role of art has been used to hold tyranny to account, telling truth to power that hubris of gods and kings has terrible consequences - both for communities and individuals. In that regard, it is impossible not to recall Beowulf - despite the two epics lack of connection - nonetheless, this unavoidable intertextuality highlights the strength and ongoing relevance of epic and art today.
Gilgamesh the poem demonstrates the role of art has been used to hold tyranny to account, telling truth to power that hubris of gods and kings has terrible consequences - both for communities and individuals. In that regard, it is impossible not to recall Beowulf - despite the two epics lack of connection - nonetheless, this unavoidable intertextuality highlights the strength and ongoing relevance of epic and art today.
saprat's review
adventurous
4.0
something about gilgamesh leaving his kingdom and civilization, retreating into nature and becoming wild and animalistic, all while grieving heavily for enkidu, will always sort of kill me. the way in which gilgamesh, in his mourning for enkidu, begins to emulate his fallen friend's wildness; the way it portrays grief as an untamed thing that cannot be controlled by man. sob. anyways shoutout to my world lit class that unanimously agreed that enkidu and gilgamesh were gay. bro idk which translation says it but "gilgamesh grieved for enkidu like a bride" are you kidding
slushysands's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
laurakehl's review
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lucazani11's review
4.0
the major teaching from the Epic of Gilgamesh is that death is inevitable. Gilgamesh wastes so much time and energy in a futile effort to find eternal life. He turns his back on family and friends to wander the wilderness in search of something he can never have.