Reviews

Paradise Lost by John Milton

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leggup's review against another edition

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2.0

I think I read this book at the wrong time in my life. The forced read for senior thesis ruined it for me.

simyreads's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

novabird's review against another edition

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4.0

4.95 If thunder chose an author to speak its voice, it chose Milton. And we already know the sex of his inspiration. He calls upon the Muse, the (Dark) Goddess of Poetry, to help him: “What in me is dark/ Illumine” After a publicly drummed proclamation of, 'My Preference," I began to explore why I had made this choice and it lead me, shall we say, down a "Left Hand Path." And I worked through several karmic lifetimes of Mennonite heritage by allowing Milton's words to take root:

"Free, and to none accountable, preferring
Hard liberty before the easy yoke
Of servile Pomp."

I chose my fetters.

Anton Lavey's Satanic Philosophy: An Analysis:

"The history of Satanism goes back to at least 2500 years. Yet, only in the seventeenth century, was the devil perceived in more sympathetic terms, in large part due to John Milton’s Paradise Lost.1 In the twentieth century, Aleister Crowley assumed the name of “The Beast 666,” as well as owning the title of “the wickedest man in the world.”2 But, it was during the second half of the twentieth century, when an openly Satanic movement arose and gained significant attention from mass media with the enigmatic and sensationalist Anton LaVey at its helm.3 In this article, I examine the charisma and life of Anton Lavey and explore how he drew on philosophy and literature to create a religious movement that challenged Christian morality and sytematic power."

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/imwjournal/vol9/iss1/4/

kale323's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Pros: Firstly, Milton displays beautiful writing of which there are few equal. The descriptions of paradise, hell, and everywhere in between are a spectacle of prose, and the dialogue is of the same sort.

Secondly, the grandeur and epic nature of the story is riveting. From the angel battles, to leviathans below, the story of creation and heavenly war keep one engaged.

Thirdly, it is very humorous. Milton may have written one of the the most posh comedies of his time with this poem. The babblings of devils and angels are absolutely hilarious.

Cons: Firstly, the pacing has not aged well. The first half is much more engaging than the second. Upon the fall of man, Milton takes a theological face, and does not deliver the grandiose story that he started in the first half. I found myself forcing myself to sit through the latter parts of the book, instead of keeping my own enjoyment in priority.

Secondly, Milton is undeniably misogynistic. At least in the perspective from modern Christian religious teachings. Eve is treated as it all being her fault, when religious teachings have a relatively synonymous understanding that both Adam and Eve are equally held responsible for the first sin. Milton definitely does not hold this understanding within any respect.

Milton’s Paradise Lost is a very interesting and grand epic poem, that suffers from some pacing issues, but ultimately is held up by its dialogue, prose, and wit.

I would recommend this book to someone that wishes to learn the classics, or is a fan of “religious fan fiction,” as a sub-genre of fantasy.