Reviews

The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus by Bernard Knox, Robert Fagles, Sophocles

sci_twi02's review

emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

araby's review

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

andy_acid's review

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

3.5

 Seemingly a more philosophical work of ancient Greek literature, this book revolves around the notion of fate and free will, leading to an ambiguous stance on whether fate trumps or free will prevails. Similar to other Greek epics, the tragedy of the book is heavily influenced by divine and mystical beings, before whom mortals are depicted to be powerless. While the plot/narrative may be thin and contains several loopholes , I wouldn't say it is lacking in entertainment value from a subjective standpoint.
p.s: The translation by Robert Fagles stands out in comparison to David Greene/Richard Lattimore, and the extended notes accompanying each play add a nice touch to the book

3.5/5 

mood_124's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective medium-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

constantinek's review against another edition

2 copies

puppym's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-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

2.0

emicordelia's review

emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

aynsley's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

sterling_stephens's review

dark informative fast-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

linaleigh's review against another edition

5.0

I have read and read and re-read these for the last eight years, and will continue to do so for as long as I have eyesight. Oedipus at Colonus is fairly dull, but it's too bad it's been utterly overlooked in the scheme of the plays. And Antigone has long been a personal hero of mine.