Take a photo of a barcode or cover
Reviews
The Complete Sophocles: Volume I: The Theban Plays by Sophocles, Peter H. Burian, Alan Shapiro
wren_nicklin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
why is this kind of one of the best things i've ever read. i saw it in january and cried SO hard shoutout sophocles
prolixity's review against another edition
3.0
*Note: I only read Oedipus Rex and Antigone, not Oedipus at Colonus.
There is literally nothing I could tell you about these plays that you don't already know from the thousands of books and movies that have referenced or been influenced by Oedipus ever since it was first performed. Four stars for overall story and dramatic themes, two stars because I didn't find it a very engaging or enjoyable read, averaged out to a nice three. Five stars for literary importance, though.
The self-fulfilling prophecy is one of my favourite plot devices, and Oedipus delivers a shockingly good one (and it's more than the fact that he bangs his mum, for those of you who haven't read it). Very complex and interesting. I also love the theme of destiny and free will (which are also explored further in Antigone).
Damn, did those Greeks love to torture their heroes.
There is literally nothing I could tell you about these plays that you don't already know from the thousands of books and movies that have referenced or been influenced by Oedipus ever since it was first performed. Four stars for overall story and dramatic themes, two stars because I didn't find it a very engaging or enjoyable read, averaged out to a nice three. Five stars for literary importance, though.
The self-fulfilling prophecy is one of my favourite plot devices, and Oedipus delivers a shockingly good one (and it's more than the fact that he bangs his mum, for those of you who haven't read it). Very complex and interesting. I also love the theme of destiny and free will (which are also explored further in Antigone).
Damn, did those Greeks love to torture their heroes.
gingerliss's review against another edition
4.0
See my separate reviews of each of the plays.
On the whole: Loving the Greeks!
On the whole: Loving the Greeks!
sihaame's review against another edition
5.0
dear friend, only the gods can never age, the gods can never die. All else in the world almighty Time obliterates, crushes all to nothing.
just epic. it’s been a long time since a book left me feeling this way.
fate—the key word —you truly feel its suffocating force crushing down on every character. but what struck me most is how deeply devoted these characters are to the gods, even though the gods are the ones inflicting ruins and calamities upon them. they never question the divine will, never stop to wonder why the gods would curse them with such tragic fates.
this reveals something —if it tells us anything at all. one must either resign to the gods because there’s simply no other choice, or rebel against them but even then, rebellion only leads to death. either way, it’s a loss.
the contrast between the characters’ deeply human struggles and suffering and the gods’ indifferent schemes is astonishing. makes you feel the futility of fighting forces far beyond their control, as though they're just pawns in a cosmic game they can neither understand nor escape.
tiaa_92's review against another edition
challenging
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
gardnerhere's review against another edition
5.0
Just a fan-freakin-tastic translation. I can't tell you how accurate it is, but it jumps off the page and slaps you just as it should. I gave Antigone an "out loud" read through with a few kids yesterday and was once again bowled over. Very excited to dig my teeth into the first two plays of the cycle again and will update when I do.
Updated:
Oedipus is likewise lively and as cringe-inducing as ever, but this reading proved to me how much I prefer Antigone. The former is plenty powerful, but the scenario is absurd enough to make empathy difficult. No such worries in the latter
Updated:
Oedipus is likewise lively and as cringe-inducing as ever, but this reading proved to me how much I prefer Antigone. The former is plenty powerful, but the scenario is absurd enough to make empathy difficult. No such worries in the latter
yeoman_chloe's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not sure why Antigone is first, weird choice by the editor
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror