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A review by jtrain1342
Poems of Heaven and Hell from Ancient Mesopotamia by Anonymous
challenging
informative
slow-paced
4.5
I really enjoyed this book. Not only was the poetry interesting to read, but I also really appreciated how in-depth Sandars was with her introductions before each poem. I feel like a learned a lot reading this book, and I've definitely put holds on all of the other books by her that my library has!
If you want to both read Mesopotamian poetry and learn a lot about Mesopotamian culture and literature, this is a solid choice. It's a bit old, but it's one of the easier books on this topic to find outside of Assyriology libraries.
I have noticed some books have segments after the translation of the poem, while others have it before. Personally, I prefer to read about the poem before I read the translation because it helps me to get more out of it. I appreciated that Sandars arranged the book in this order.
If you want to both read Mesopotamian poetry and learn a lot about Mesopotamian culture and literature, this is a solid choice. It's a bit old, but it's one of the easier books on this topic to find outside of Assyriology libraries.
I have noticed some books have segments after the translation of the poem, while others have it before. Personally, I prefer to read about the poem before I read the translation because it helps me to get more out of it. I appreciated that Sandars arranged the book in this order.