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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
J’ai cru que j’en verrai jamais le bout. C’était super dur à lire, j’ai clairement pas tout capté, mais même sans toujours saisir le sens, certains passages m’ont trop touchée par leur beauté ✨ Hâte de l’étudier ce semestre maintenant.
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My review of this book has more to do with my experience of reading it versus the text itself. A large part of that sentiment has to do with the archaic language used. Which meant that I had to constantly stop to make sure that I was absorbing what I was reading and gathering all of the main points the author wanted me to know. But it also had to do with the style in which it was written. Being not well versed in epic poems (and poems more generally) made it oftentimes feel like a slog to get through. Even though it was well written, poetry feels more geared towards feelings versus exposition. And with a story based on the fall of man from the Christian perspective, it makes sense to focus on the motivations that lead Adam and Eve astray. What made the poetry difficult was that I was absorbing the feelings and the struggles of the characters but not the setting in which it took place. I understand the idea of losing something precious to you, like the garden of Eden, that you never once thought you were in danger of losing. But it was lost in translation because my understanding of the poetry prevented me from fully grasping the picture of Eden that the author was trying to describe to me. And as a result, what they stood to lose didn’t truly register in the way the author intended. But that has more to do with my own failings versus the book itself. My one other critique of this book, and possibly epic poetry of this sort in general, is the attaching of human characteristics to godly figures. To my surprise, it was used particularly well in this story in its portrayal of Satan (Lucifer). Providing the reader a window into his mind and his ambitions. But his motivations almost seemed trivial. Comparable to something humans would struggle with in their own relationships, and I understand its purpose. It allows the reader to place themselves in the story and relate to the struggles of the characters, but it seems to contradict with religious doctrine. By definition, God and angels are separate and apart from us as mortal beings. But the jealousy, hatred, loneliness and delusions of grandeur he embodies show we’re not so different. It begs the question: If we’re not so different, why are we offered a path to redemption while he is forever denied? Although the story of man’s fall is the focus, the main message is that good can come from even the worst circumstances. The use of other stories in the Bible was crucial in showing that out of the ashes something can sprout and that humans, and society at large, are worth saving. I liked the book and the message behind it. I just think that reading this book helped me to realize that maybe poetry, or more specifically epic poetry, is not the best medium for myself as a reader. Or maybe I just need more experience with it.
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
ძალიან მნიშვნელოვანი ტექსტია. მრავალმხრივ მნიშვნელოვანი.
I’m not sure how to adequately write a book review for a social media site like GR since its meaning and importance cannot be fully (or even partially) appreciated on one’s first read of Paradise Lost. I can say without a doubt, this is the most difficult thing I’ve ever read, but you know what? I’m pretty gosh darn proud of the fact I was able to stick it out and finish it, with some level of comprehension. I do not think this is a book I’ve truly “finished” though; I mean, I can’t think of any works of music I’ve listened to wear I think after just one listen “Ah ha! I’ve got it, I know what you meant with this harmonic motion, Englebert Humperdinck!”, so why not read a book that requires you to reread and return to it many times over the course of your life?
Here are things I certainly did appreciate on first reading: 1) the language is incredible. Like, seriously, I am in awe of what the English language can do and how melodious it can sound in the hands of a master. Furthermore, the fact that Milton wrote this while blind just astounds me. 2) The characters, especially Satan, Adam, and Eve are incredible, they are just drenched in emotion and pathos. And 3), no one can paint an image like Milton when it comes to world building. Seriously, I now know what people mean when they say Paradise Lost is the original Sci-Fi epic. The descriptions of Hell, of Heaven, of Eden, of everything is just so overwhelming.
Here are things that maybe need another attempt at (or a lifetime to understand): 1) how fckng frustrating the big man, God, is. Maybe social media isn’t the best place to air my personal beliefs within a Christian-centered society, but I found his logic and his knowledge to just be frustrating. Maybe I’m missing something, but that something would probably require a shift in my own personal beliefs that I could never go through. 2) The many, many, MANY classical and biblical allusions. I got some of them down (thanks, Ovid), but I guess it is time to go on to Homer and Virgil if I ever want a chance to really understand all of it. And 3) how Mr. Milton perceives space, the relationships between Earth, the planets, Heaven, all that jazz. I mean, when the language went Celestial it was always memorable, but it often left me with a feeling of “what in the Sam hill did I just read”. That’s okay, better luck next time, future me.
Seriously, I am in awe of oh-so-many passages in this book, I couldn’t possibly list them all, so here are just a few (spoilers for those who have never read Genesis, I guess?): the depictions of Hell and Pandamonium, Death and Sin at the gates, the evocation of light, the description of Eden, Satan witnessing Adam and Eve for the first time, Satan tempting Eve, the lamentation of Adam and Eve, and Adam and Eve departing Eden.
Who is this for? People who want a challenge (it gets easier the further in you get, I found parts of Books 1 and 2 the most difficult, with the language getting easier and easier as you approach the end). People who want to see how the persona of Satan has developed separately from the bible (he’s such a fascinating character). And perhaps most importantly, people who want to simply be able to flaunt to their plebeian friends that they have read Paradise Lost (don’t worry, only nerds read it).
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While this took me a long time to finish, I definitely understood why this is a classic. Milton’s take on Christian doctrine and Classical Greek epics is definitely unique and one of a kind. This work was inspirational. However, the long paragraphs of dialogue were difficult to keep up with.