Reviews

Antigone by Jean Anouilh

joannestbr's review against another edition

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3.0

pretty nice

luxlisbonsghost's review against another edition

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4.0


Ismene:Antigone, be sensible. It's all very well for men to believe in ideas and die for them. But you are a girl!
Antigone:Don't I know I'm a girl? Haven't I spent my life cursing the fact that I was a girl?

mxmorganic's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny reflective sad 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

5.0

This is a fascinating read in conversation with Sophocles’ play. At certain points it’s almost a 1:1 adaptation from the original, while at others scenes can differ quite dramatically from the moments they’re based on. Seeing where and how Anouilh chose to innovate as he retold this story is a rich, rewarding experience. 
 
Moreover, the play is a fascinating work in its own right. There’s a character standing in for the Greek chorus who frames the play at its beginning as a tragedy that simply cannot be stopped. Everything’s already been decided, and it cannot be changed, and the machine is simply going to run the way it was designed to. Examining that through-line as the play progresses is a highlight of the reading experience. Antigone in particular seems to be rather aware that she’s just a character in a tragedy, and hearing her speak to other characters, knowing what she does but will not tell them, is a tremendous element of the play. 
 
Finally, kudos to Jeremy Sams for this translation. I cannot speak to how it stands in comparison to Anouilh’s original French, but the English he has produced is a delight to read (minus an unfortunately high number of typos for a work this small). 
 
In short, whether approaching it in conversation with Sophocles or reading it more as the excellent play that it is, Anouilh’s Antigone is absolutely worth a read.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lzcvgdn's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

vittotosatto's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

domani lo discutiamo in classe ma certe frasi mi hanno straziato. amo le opere teatrali

enchantedroses's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

nadgtz's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

fake_xylophone's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

littlebookterror's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I am marking this version but I actually listened to a German audio production by LangenMüller Herbig (absolutely fantastic - plays especially for me need at least an aural layer if you don't get the full audio-visual one. It's available on Spotify).

I listened to this on the recommendation of a friend and I am very happy I did. The dialogue (and performance) are snappy and poignant without losing it more gentle touch in the necessary scenes. I particularly enjoyed Antigone's and Creon's dynamic was my favourite. Their fight was perfect.

And what a great ending, too - I will always be a romance girl at heart (HEAs forever) but maybe I need to read more tragedies.

irenicflame's review against another edition

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mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5