Reviews with content warning for War - Paradise Lost

Reviews tagging 'War'

Paradise Lost by John Milton, John Leonard

6 reviews

cdelligatti13's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

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

2.75

Beautifully written 17th century theological fanfiction that suffers irreparable damage from the author’s gross takes. It comes dangerously close to having some good ideas sometimes. There just wasn’t enough cool imagery and beautiful prose to save it for me from the trash ideas and imagery. Things can be beautiful and iconic for the time they were written, they can even be important for literature, and we can still recognize that things not aging well sometimes means those good things are soured enough that it is no longer an amazing or even great book.

Also, the number of times Milton reminds us eve is inferior to adam even before the fall is giving insecurity. The way he needs to remind us eve is a hot sexy lady but not to be trusted because she’s an idiot woman and adam is a hot sexy strong capable man is weird. I could not keep a straight face sometimes.

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thatone2112's review against another edition

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4.0

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librarymouse's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
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

4.0

I just spent the past 6 weeks reading this, in detail, for an independent study. I'd love to leave a more detailed review at a later date, and possibly some favorite lines with citations, but for now I will leave you with:

Read it, had an existential crisis, bon appetit

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sperdutaneilibri's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

Paradise Lost isn't an easy read, but with a little preparation is doable. It's a masterpiece and it shows. The fact that we can still be inspired by this work of art after centuries says it all. If you're debating reading Paradise Lost, do IT. But, I suggest, it's best to read in a moment when you don't have much to do, when you can relax with your book and give it full attention. It's not a book for the train while commuting.

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orlagal's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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seanml's review against another edition

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challenging informative reflective slow-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

3.75

Obviously it’s helpful to keep in mind the contemporary values of society when reading any sort of literature. That said, DAMN did Milton give women a bunk deal. God creates Adam, gives him Paradise, gives him Eve (Who does NOT get all the physical and mental faculties that Adam enjoys), and then the almighty adds in a TREE with a big “do not touch sign.” What did He expect to happen??? First Lucifer, now Adam and Eve. God really needs to work on mending fractured relationships if He doesn’t want to just delete them from existence.

Otherwise, really great prose obviously. I can understand why some call this the best work of the English language. Milton knows how to write a sweet quote as well. 7.5/10.

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