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boxcar's reviews
230 reviews
Jason and the Argonauts by Apollonius of Rhodes
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
3.5
Definitely not a homeric epic, but good! Very adventurous. Classic story worthy of an epic. Translation seemed good, iambic pentameter worked well as always.
The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really good. A really fresh take on the Oedipus myth and, as always with Haynes, starring the women. Love a good bounce back and forth between different times (when done well). Anyone who knows about Sophocles’ play or the myth in general would enjoy this, as long as you’re not a stickler for absolute adherence to the popular conception of the myth. It’s a myth, so I think if that’s you—chill out. Haynes creates her own formidable entry into Jocasta and Oedipus’ mythos.
Ariadne by Frank Laurence Lucas
adventurous
challenging
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Absolutely masterful verse. The rhyming felt musical, not suessian. Great retelling of ariadne and theseus. rare to read epic verse about greek mythology that was originally written in english!! emotional, beautiful, heart wrenching and just very well done.
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
dark
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Wonderful retelling of the women of myth. empathetic and does not shy away from tragedy and pain. Women heroes as worthy as male counterparts, the different pain that is uniquely feminine, on top of the rest. well written, well researched, very good.
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Good. Love these modern, feminist tellings of Greek myths. Never trust a man
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Good! Modern, empathetic retelling of Medusa’s life and death. Really hammers in the whole Perseus is horrible. Lots of mythology other than Medusa—the gods in their element, being unruly and perverse. The interactions between characters were dynamic and often funny, especially with the gods and Perseus—just ragging on him. Athene was very interestingly written, unlike all the other gods, unaware and incapable of understanding humans, or other gods really. Good read
Circe by Madeline Miller
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Love a modern novelization of greek myth. I hadn't heard much of the story of Circe, and Miller spins it masterfully. Gripping, entertaining and emotional. A woman-centered rendition of one of the most famous characters of the Odyssey. A look at Odysseus not as the hero, but as a flawed, flawed man. Circe as a goddess with the whims and cares of a mortal. Good stuff.
The Iliad by Homer
adventurous
challenging
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.75
Wonderful translation. Prior translations that I've read have been something of a slog. The Iambic pentameter and flowing words are a joy to read. Of the story, what hasn't already been said?
The Aeneid by Virgil
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
4.5
Absolutely worth reading. Classic hero story, themes abound. Virgil is a wonderful poet, Fitzgerald's translation was great.