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hgbush's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
robdob's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Epic poetry very beautifully written
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
ddeblieck_13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Not really sure why I took so long to finish this. I really enjoyed it, but it takes a lot of concentration to appreciate, and there were a lot of days I just didn't feel like trying that hard.
I can't really add to the insane amount that's been written about this book, but it's very good and a remarkable accomplishment for Milton.
I can't really add to the insane amount that's been written about this book, but it's very good and a remarkable accomplishment for Milton.
definitelynotbill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ok yeah Milton kinda went harder than he needed to with this--I mean the whole book is just pure insaneo style writing with poetry at its peak man, screw shakespeare
The BALLS on Milton to hype himself up like that in book like 9 or something was kinda impressive, but he did live up to it soooo....
knocked down half a star 'cause the writing got kinda too dense for my feeble brain to comprehend at times loll
The BALLS on Milton to hype himself up like that in book like 9 or something was kinda impressive, but he did live up to it soooo....
knocked down half a star 'cause the writing got kinda too dense for my feeble brain to comprehend at times loll
korkny's review against another edition
4.0
Thankfully Milton really did fail in this attempt to explain the will of God. Instead God emerges as a tyrant, and Satan as a hero. I knew all that going in but what I didn’t know what just how much Milton must have hated women, and just how much Satan steals the show.
Beautiful language, terrible reasoning, a miserable tale, and some really punchy inspiring speeches (courtesy of Lucifer himself).
What can I say, Satan must have been some legend.
Beautiful language, terrible reasoning, a miserable tale, and some really punchy inspiring speeches (courtesy of Lucifer himself).
What can I say, Satan must have been some legend.
kcrawfish's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Milton is an innovator. An epic poem, written in English, about God, all during a time when epic poetry was never written in English or about any beings other than the Greek Pantheon, proves him a nerdy kind of rebel.
An incredible opening, a sagging middle, and an okay ending led me to 3.5 stars.
Satan was a great choice for a protagonist. His story is compelling and his motives, interesting and tragic. He is clearly the protagonist hero in his own life, cast low my an unjust God who he needs to stir his fallen army to rally again. He is not cowed by being cast low, but unrepentantly still leading his army in an attempt to bring as much pain to God as he can. And while you read him you never lose sight of the fact you’re listening to Satan. A Satan who is, as most antagonist characters are, certain he is the jilted hero who will get justice.
I was interested in what appeared to be the psychology of a previously-favorite child, who throws a fit for attention, and has enough power and influence to be incredibly self-destructive.
Demons, the Egyptian and Greek Pantheons, death, and Jesus himself make appearances. The middle suffered from meandering, and I couldn’t get past the fact that I didn’t like or connect with either Adam or Eve. I wanted them to beat Satan because he’s the devil trying to bring down all of humanity, but Milton’s unintelligent portrayal of woman and fairly bland portrayal of man made me far more interested when the plot was moving forward, or Satan was sneaking, or an angel was explaining the universe, rather than Adam/Eve dialogue.
They got what they deserved in the end - they broke the single rule God himself gave them (there was only one rule, come on!)
The Old Testament stories are timelessly interesting because there are different angles that can be explored, like the Adam and Eve story as humanity becoming self-conscious, or chaos and order being perfectly balanced in the setting of a garden. Milton explored these characters in an intriguing way, but I couldn’t agree with or enjoy certain aspects, which on its own wouldn’t have bothered me, but the middle dragged, so 3.5 stars.
Milton is an innovator. An epic poem, written in English, about God, all during a time when epic poetry was never written in English or about any beings other than the Greek Pantheon, proves him a nerdy kind of rebel.
An incredible opening, a sagging middle, and an okay ending led me to 3.5 stars.
Satan was a great choice for a protagonist. His story is compelling and his motives, interesting and tragic. He is clearly the protagonist hero in his own life, cast low my an unjust God who he needs to stir his fallen army to rally again. He is not cowed by being cast low, but unrepentantly still leading his army in an attempt to bring as much pain to God as he can. And while you read him you never lose sight of the fact you’re listening to Satan. A Satan who is, as most antagonist characters are, certain he is the jilted hero who will get justice.
I was interested in what appeared to be the psychology of a previously-favorite child, who throws a fit for attention, and has enough power and influence to be incredibly self-destructive.
Demons, the Egyptian and Greek Pantheons, death, and Jesus himself make appearances. The middle suffered from meandering, and I couldn’t get past the fact that I didn’t like or connect with either Adam or Eve. I wanted them to beat Satan because he’s the devil trying to bring down all of humanity, but Milton’s unintelligent portrayal of woman and fairly bland portrayal of man made me far more interested when the plot was moving forward, or Satan was sneaking, or an angel was explaining the universe, rather than Adam/Eve dialogue.
They got what they deserved in the end - they broke the single rule God himself gave them (there was only one rule, come on!)
The Old Testament stories are timelessly interesting because there are different angles that can be explored, like the Adam and Eve story as humanity becoming self-conscious, or chaos and order being perfectly balanced in the setting of a garden. Milton explored these characters in an intriguing way, but I couldn’t agree with or enjoy certain aspects, which on its own wouldn’t have bothered me, but the middle dragged, so 3.5 stars.
ratboy13's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
blondierocket's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting and not what I expected at all. A different version of the Garden of Eden. Milton’s own twist to how the earth was created and the lives of Adam and Eve. Not sure I really liked it a whole lot.