Reviews

The Homeric Hymns by Homer

annathebooksiread's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

a_carot's review

informative inspiring mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Finally I read the whole of Homeric Hymns and I loved it! The Hymn to Demeter is beautifully told. It was interesting to find out how the Mysteries were established in Eleusis. Hermes is such a mischievous baby. I couldn’t believe he stole Apollo’s cattle on the day he was born! The story of Apollo and Hermes forging their friendship is a delightful highlight. I bursted out laughing when the pirates turned into dolphins while trying to escape from Dionysus. I didn’t expect that! It is a must-read for those who love Greek mythology. 

claids's review against another edition

4.0

“But I will call to my mind both you and another song.”

flamingo_and_owl_books's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.25

cosmicjess's review against another edition

4.0

not me finally finishing this

tonxtoni's review against another edition

5.0

I'm 100% pissed that we never read this in school. For anyone interested in the topic, it's a must read. Thoroughly enjoyable, especially if you're feeling a bit bleaky after reading Hesiod. The next thing I'll pick up is other translations from Diane Rayor - her contribution is also what made this work so fun to read.

thereaderintherye's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.75

cryo_guy's review against another edition

4.0

Nice little collection of the hymns. Unfortunately the translation is pretty stale, but it'll do in a pinch. It also kind of desperately needs a slightly longer foreward and afterward to explain things, but it does at least talk a little bit about the hymns. I'm not gonna give my boy Homer a bad rating, but you should prolly go for a different edition.

Was fun to reread these, as I'm very familiar with all the stories. I also appreciated the aspect of addressing the gods this time around. And in general it was nice to review the hallmarks of Homeric poetry as found in the hymns.

zzt's review against another edition

4.0

Not easy to find but worth a read showing how interpretations have changed since the 19th century

zzt's review against another edition

4.0

Worth the double listing on the site poetry pre-dating the Iliad.