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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
What can be said about this incredible work that hasn't already been said. It is an epic poem of dramatic proportions that carries on the grand legacy of epics, while at the same time being a very English example. The poetry is still strikingly fresh and drips with brilliance. My only qualm is his Arianism, Sorry John there wasn't a time when the Father was when the Son was not.
reflective
fast-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:
N/A
I found the audio book a really nice way to relax on an evening. It makes you think and reflect on the story of Adam and Eve. I'm not religious in the slightest but I went to a religious primary school who taught me the story, so it was nice to almost reminisct
This is definitely one of those books that you have to read more than once to absorb the details beyond the main themes, but it’s very helpful that I am taking an entire course on the topic of this book. Thanks Gordon Teskey…
I thought so many times over the past month and a half of reading this: how the hell did John Milton just….write something like this? Well, technically I know how. He was blind and orated the poetry that came to him every morning, sent to him from the Holy Ghost (ALLEGEDLY). To me, it’s definitely one of the most impressive literary accomplishments ever.
This wasn’t as hard to understand or follow as I feared, but there were definitely some sections that I either could not make out his point or the reference went over my head or my eyes just glazed over for a few lines and I didn’t even notice. In spite of that, some books were truly enjoyable. Especially the early ones following Satan and the early ones with Adam and Eve (so 1-4) and of course the temptation (book 9). I got so bored in the middle when Raphael was describing the revolt in Heaven. It was nice to have a summary of the Bible from Michael at the end though…
I wonder if this book would mean something different for me had I grown up religiously (my mother’s biggest regret apparently lmao). My knowledge of the Bible isn’t that extensive, picked up mainly just from bits and pieces in literature class and general knowledge gained from existing in the southern US. But honestly through reading this (and the lectures for my class), I feel like I really gained some deeper understanding of the religion as a whole. Or at least, Milton’s conception of it (he was a bit unique in his beliefs). This whole book is just Milton trying to come to terms with our existence via a Christian belief system, and there’s so much interesting discussion on free will, guilt, sin, temptation, politics, et cetera, some of which doesn’t really make sense but honestly, how do you really make sense of the Bible when you look at it under a microscope like Milton, trying to understand everything. It’s fascinating.
I could say a lot about the character of Satan, but tons of critics have done that way better and I had to write a paper on it. But of course, the best line in this book was from him:
“The mind is its own place and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heaven”
Or something like that.
Another main takeaway I had: Christianity is a really…depressing way of seeing the world and human life. I understand why people suffer under the weight of guilt their whole lives even after leaving the religion. Even I feel that weight from the secondhand, cultural influence, being from Catholic Louisiana. I really do want to read the Bible now, though.
I don’t really know what more to say about this right now. I think probably everyone should read it, but only if you’ll take the time to really understand it. I don’t know if I would’ve done that had I not read it in the context of a literature course because with my impatience, it would’ve mostly gone over my head otherwise. I’m honestly not sure if I’ll reread this within the next few decades, just because I imagine it’d be a slog to get through without external motivation, but I’ll definitely think about it for that long and longer.
4/5? Like 3/5 for my enjoyment but 5/5 for being a masterpiece.
I thought so many times over the past month and a half of reading this: how the hell did John Milton just….write something like this? Well, technically I know how. He was blind and orated the poetry that came to him every morning, sent to him from the Holy Ghost (ALLEGEDLY). To me, it’s definitely one of the most impressive literary accomplishments ever.
This wasn’t as hard to understand or follow as I feared, but there were definitely some sections that I either could not make out his point or the reference went over my head or my eyes just glazed over for a few lines and I didn’t even notice. In spite of that, some books were truly enjoyable. Especially the early ones following Satan and the early ones with Adam and Eve (so 1-4) and of course the temptation (book 9). I got so bored in the middle when Raphael was describing the revolt in Heaven. It was nice to have a summary of the Bible from Michael at the end though…
I wonder if this book would mean something different for me had I grown up religiously (my mother’s biggest regret apparently lmao). My knowledge of the Bible isn’t that extensive, picked up mainly just from bits and pieces in literature class and general knowledge gained from existing in the southern US. But honestly through reading this (and the lectures for my class), I feel like I really gained some deeper understanding of the religion as a whole. Or at least, Milton’s conception of it (he was a bit unique in his beliefs). This whole book is just Milton trying to come to terms with our existence via a Christian belief system, and there’s so much interesting discussion on free will, guilt, sin, temptation, politics, et cetera, some of which doesn’t really make sense but honestly, how do you really make sense of the Bible when you look at it under a microscope like Milton, trying to understand everything. It’s fascinating.
I could say a lot about the character of Satan, but tons of critics have done that way better and I had to write a paper on it. But of course, the best line in this book was from him:
“The mind is its own place and in itself
Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heaven”
Or something like that.
Another main takeaway I had: Christianity is a really…depressing way of seeing the world and human life. I understand why people suffer under the weight of guilt their whole lives even after leaving the religion. Even I feel that weight from the secondhand, cultural influence, being from Catholic Louisiana. I really do want to read the Bible now, though.
I don’t really know what more to say about this right now. I think probably everyone should read it, but only if you’ll take the time to really understand it. I don’t know if I would’ve done that had I not read it in the context of a literature course because with my impatience, it would’ve mostly gone over my head otherwise. I’m honestly not sure if I’ll reread this within the next few decades, just because I imagine it’d be a slog to get through without external motivation, but I’ll definitely think about it for that long and longer.
4/5? Like 3/5 for my enjoyment but 5/5 for being a masterpiece.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I CAN NOT RECOMMEND THIS ENOUGH. NEVER EVER HAVE I READ SOMETHING WHERE EVERY SINGLE WORD CHOICE IS SO INTENTIONAL AND THOUGHT PROVOKING. Satan really made some points!! I have been seduced!!!
Reading this trash reminded me (as I could forget) of the twisted and broken values from the bible. Thanks John Milton.
The ground falls away from your feet. The heavens open with horrific infinity. The hopeless world of the damned is revealed.
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love this book, it’s not an easy read but it’s a valuable and beautiful read. The fact that Milton (despite being religiously devout in his personal life) writes from the perspective of the devil and plays devils advocate is a perfect example of how talented he is at writing compelling perspectives. The descriptions are rich, and I loved annotating this book. I am not a Christian but this was a beautiful read.
Heavy reading, however it is epic poetry. *shrugs* why not?
Should re-read an annotated version to better understand it