A review by alienor
Antigone by Jean Anouilh

5.0

This is the most French retelling ever, y'all. Think secular and pessimist. Because oh, boy, how depressing [a:Jean Anouilh|5228|Jean Anouilh|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263598623p2/5228.jpg] was! Through the years his works showed more and more clearly how absurd human condition was for him, and how bitter he became. Yet I love that guy - there's just something so liberating oozing from this play.

"Et puis, surtout, c'est reposant, la tragédie, parce qu'on sait qu'il n'y a plus d'espoir, le sale espoir ; qu'on est pris, qu'on est enfin pris comme un rat, avec tout le ciel sur son dos, et qu'on n'a plus qu'à crier , - pas à gémir, non, pas à se plaindre, - à gueuler à pleine voix ce qu'on avait à dire, qu'on n'avait jamais dit et qu'on ne savait peut-être même pas encore."

Stripped of any religious justifications, Antigone's choices are only this, her choices. They express her need to not compromise herself, perhaps, but above all, her freedom to stand for herself and to make her own choices, to refuse to live in a world where her ideals can't help but break. Stupid, Antigone? Maybe. But still amazing in her flaws.

[a:Jean Anouilh|5228|Jean Anouilh|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263598623p2/5228.jpg]'s Antigone isn't a paragon of virtue. She's flawed, detestable, infuriating, complex, oh so endearing. I love her, but I hate her a little.

As for Creon, he isn't the Tyrant of [a:Sophocles|1002|Sophocles|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1195014481p2/1002.jpg] anymore, but the weak incarnation of politics shady deals. Bravo to Anouilh for making us feel - almost - bad for him.

Hemon, though. Poor, poor Hemon.

What is the most difficult? Saying no or saying yes? [a:Jean Anouilh|5228|Jean Anouilh|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263598623p2/5228.jpg] never says, but let the reader choose for himself, as his Antigone.

Spoiler

I'll say no, whatever stupid that can be. I love life, though. See?

► Always a favorite. Love the writing, love the plot, love the characters, even when I hate them. I'll probably still do when I'll be 80. What impresses me the most is the fact that I never end thinking the same thing after each of my rereads - Here lies the strenght of this play.

PREREVIEW
... And here we go for the reread of one of my absolute favorite when I was a teenager... Of course I'm worried, what do you think?



My paperback shows its years >.< 1998! :O

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