A review by wellworn_soles
The Iliad by Homer

5.0

Οποιαδήποτε στιγμή μπορεί να είναι η τελευταία μας. Όλα είναι πιο όμορφα γιατί είμαστε καταδικασμένοι. Ποτέ δεν θα είναι πιο όμορφη από ό, τι είναι τώρα. Δεν θα είμαστε ποτέ ξανά εδώ.

Any moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful because we’re doomed. You will never be lovelier than you are now. We will never be here again.

Every time I enter the Homeric epics I am reminded that these sit at the bedrock of Story. Sung across rolling hills and over sweeping dark waters, in moonlight and in morning - it is really something to stare into the past and see your face reflected. Or, better yet, you but not you, flesh that is not your flesh but bones that curve along the same planes. These are the roots of some of our best art we’ve ever made, and Im eternally grateful. Their shade is a balm, their song a thrumming note quick and close as blood.

(Nothing beats the Greek; even if you don’t understand it, I highly recommend giving it a listen.)