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4.46 AVERAGE
4.46 AVERAGE
A trilogy of tragedies so enjoyable to read! An Oresteia uses language in a way that's apparently very old to the world but very new to me and I love it. Anne Carson did an incredible job at translation, keeping the language modern enough that I can easily understand it, but not so modern that it seems strange - except when used appropriately for comedic effect (Fabulous. Not fabulous. made me laugh out loud).
‘I am the shape you made me. Filth teaches filth.’
"here
comes insatiable vengeance
howling the sacrifice
into
place"
The book is meant to trace a path "from myth to mockery" in the three great tragedians' treatment of the house of Atreus. "Agamemnon" was the star of this book for me and gorgeously translated; Carson rendered Klytaimestra's fierce, self-righteous tone and Kassandra's pained, fevered cries beautifully. "Orestes" instead was downright farcical: "mockery" is a good way to describe it. I have not read any other translations of this last play, and must remedy that shortly, as I'm now curious to know how much of the tone was literal and how much was Carson's own spin.
comes insatiable vengeance
howling the sacrifice
into
place"
The book is meant to trace a path "from myth to mockery" in the three great tragedians' treatment of the house of Atreus. "Agamemnon" was the star of this book for me and gorgeously translated; Carson rendered Klytaimestra's fierce, self-righteous tone and Kassandra's pained, fevered cries beautifully. "Orestes" instead was downright farcical: "mockery" is a good way to describe it. I have not read any other translations of this last play, and must remedy that shortly, as I'm now curious to know how much of the tone was literal and how much was Carson's own spin.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery
Minor: Rape
Anne Carson translations are honestly am experience. translations I've read of classical works see generally pretty reverent and take themselves seriously, but her translations have the mythic characters speaking in casual modern language or howling in grief and rage or just spitting out syllables. I'd love to watch a play with her translation as its script. reading this trilogy was nothing short of amazing. I felt breathless at times. the way she weaves words is sheer pleasure to read. my favorite thing about her translations is the things she does with that which elude easy understanding of translation. Cassandra and Electra, for instance. their lines are electric.
Death itself is not the worst thing. Worse is to live when you want to die.
sooooo good. i love this translation so much. thank u anne carson for making it a really accessible read *chefs kiss*
the house of atreus was haunted before it was built. every inhabitant already ghost. genuinely my favourite set of plays. carson’s translation feels visceral, ominous.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes