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I just found myself lost and more often than not just waiting to be done reading.
adventurous
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
I didn't finish it. It's just a bunch of battles, and I don't think, at this time, can separate my modern ideas from the actual content.
Has to pause on account of moving to the UK and forgetting my copy in Canada.
Tough read, but I'm really glad I did it. Up next, the Odyssey.
This wasn't the story I thought it was. I enjoyed the Odyssey and knew the Illiad was about the Trojan War. When I think Trojan War, I think of the beauty of Helen and the Trojan Horse. The Illiad is about neither. It takes place 10 years into the war, but before it ends. It is mostly a long list of who killed who in what gruesome manner, and a bit of godly and human intrigue sprinkled throughout. Knowing that I probably wouldn't have read it, as battle scenes aren't something that typically appeals to me. However, I do think this translation by Fagles is good. It is in verse and reads smoothly.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I struggled with this book from beginning to end. The wording of it along with unnecessary over-explanations, it was hard for me to grasp onto what I was reading. It came to a point where after every book, I searched up summaries and analysis to understand what I had just read. Very rarely, however, it would get interesting and I’m able to understand what they’re quarreling about. In conclusion, however, I would say that the gods are cruel no matter if they love you or not. Especially, Zeus, the foulest of all. Praise my Queen Hera, though.
This was a struggle. I read/listened to the Samuel Butler version primarily. I did not read this for pleasure, but because I thought it would be good research and also make me a better person.
It was good research. Whether or not I am now a better person is still questionable. I guess I proved I have at least the patience to listen to about 16 different voices read a book for about 10 hours, and to read a string of phrases without line breaks for another 5 hours, so I'm going to say mischief managed on that front, too.
I bet this would have been flippin' impressive to hear someone remember all these names, lineages and insertions from the gods (with verbatim repetitions of earlier conversations!) before we had books, and this was all memorized. But written, it is less amazing, and more like listening to your 11 year old family member go on and on about whatever thing they've spent too much time playing lately. I am told some versions do a great job getting this to feel more relevant, but while this translation may have been quite faithful, it was also tedious in my opinion. But I also almost exclusively read things that zoom by so quickly I can't put it down, so take that with as much salt as Scamander can spare.
It was good research. Whether or not I am now a better person is still questionable. I guess I proved I have at least the patience to listen to about 16 different voices read a book for about 10 hours, and to read a string of phrases without line breaks for another 5 hours, so I'm going to say mischief managed on that front, too.
I bet this would have been flippin' impressive to hear someone remember all these names, lineages and insertions from the gods (with verbatim repetitions of earlier conversations!) before we had books, and this was all memorized. But written, it is less amazing, and more like listening to your 11 year old family member go on and on about whatever thing they've spent too much time playing lately. I am told some versions do a great job getting this to feel more relevant, but while this translation may have been quite faithful, it was also tedious in my opinion. But I also almost exclusively read things that zoom by so quickly I can't put it down, so take that with as much salt as Scamander can spare.
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes