Wonderfully clever book that stumbles in the landing. For most of the book this is deliciously clever and twisty (and I shall not say a thing about itWonderfully clever book that stumbles in the landing. For most of the book this is deliciously clever and twisty (and I shall not say a thing about it, lest I spoil it). There were several moments I laughed out loud. The writing is wonderful and keen, and reminds you how far writing has fallen in the past century. This type of erudition is difficult to find these days.
However, the ending devolves into religious symbolism and heavy handed philosophy, and it felt like a betrayal of the earlier premise of the work. I am not against religious symbolism and philosophy in stories, so long as it’s done well and follows the logic of stories, but I found this to be exceedingly heavy handed and an unwelcome tonal change from the rest of the book. ...more
I’ve now read three different versions of this story. This one was well done, but wasn’t my favorite. Aeschylus is the one who really had his finger oI’ve now read three different versions of this story. This one was well done, but wasn’t my favorite. Aeschylus is the one who really had his finger on the pulse of this tragedy. ...more
This was utterly fascinating, both as a study of character (Prometheus’ desire to do what he thinks is right regardless of the consequences) and becauThis was utterly fascinating, both as a study of character (Prometheus’ desire to do what he thinks is right regardless of the consequences) and because of how it flips classical Greek mythology on its head, talking about the fall of Zeus and the cruelty of the Gods....more
Haunting subject matter, and an impressive window win to the Greek’s contemplation of their enemies. I do feel like this would be more affective seen Haunting subject matter, and an impressive window win to the Greek’s contemplation of their enemies. I do feel like this would be more affective seen than read, because the ghost, the repetition of mourning, and the visual repetition of elements would be powerfully effective ...more
This was fascinating, but narratively uneven. First of all, it was wonderful to read about the Empire of Mali, and the tale was Three an a half stars.
This was fascinating, but narratively uneven. First of all, it was wonderful to read about the Empire of Mali, and the tale was evocative for that reason. The first section with the Buffalo Woman and the childhood of Sundiata I found the most narratively compelling, with penetrating psychological depth (along with a creepily blithe depiction of rape). Once it transitions to Sundiata's conquests, I found it difficult to get through, because the psychological depth left the tale and we were left with boasts of how amazing Sundiata was, coupled with tales of how easily Sundiata, in his greatness, solved problems and won battles, which I found quite tedious. The evil sorcerer king was fascinating, I wish there had been more of him. ...more
The set up was so excruciating I found it hard to get into, but once this gets moving the meat of the play is deeply affecting. Pity the ending falterThe set up was so excruciating I found it hard to get into, but once this gets moving the meat of the play is deeply affecting. Pity the ending faltered with a deus ex machina. ...more
This was interesting to read - I knew the story before from Hansel’s opera, which has one of the best, most haunting arias ever written, “Where Shall This was interesting to read - I knew the story before from Hansel’s opera, which has one of the best, most haunting arias ever written, “Where Shall I Fly?”
This was much stronger dramatically, but was still flawed. I felt it faltered in the final act, when Heracles was talking to his son. The parts with Deianeira were dramatically powerful ...more
I'm torn with this one. The plot structure was smooth and this moved quickly. The Orientalism was crude and grating, though Schiller was obviously pokI'm torn with this one. The plot structure was smooth and this moved quickly. The Orientalism was crude and grating, though Schiller was obviously poking fun at European stories set in exotic locations, it didn't quite come off.
What's more, I read this because of Puccini's opera, and I have to say the opera has far more depth, largely because the music gives such a menacing, romantic tone to the piece. Parts were similar to Puccini and parts were changed, and I prefer Puccini's version. It has more symbolic depth. ...more
Enjoyable as always, however I liked this work less than the other Chretien de Troyes, because Lancelot was unnamed for most of the poem and ran arounEnjoyable as always, however I liked this work less than the other Chretien de Troyes, because Lancelot was unnamed for most of the poem and ran around addressed as “The knight” and “The knight of the cart.” Since there were many other knights running around, also called the knight, you can see how this could get tedious. ...more
I read Perceval and all the continuations. While this is an important historical work, my advice for the casual reader would be to read only Chretien I read Perceval and all the continuations. While this is an important historical work, my advice for the casual reader would be to read only Chretien de Troyes section, even though it's incomplete, as it is by far the best. It is a gripping, adventurous story, tinged with mystery. The continuations are of varying quality and tone, and though they have some beautiful passages (my favorite being the golden knights who arise from the dead each night to attack the castle until Perceval solves the mystery of what's bringing them back) they lack narrative drive and shape, and feel disjointed. ...more
This was very good, though overly long, and some plot lines were stronger than others. Lady Dedlock’s plot line was my favorite, building to an enormoThis was very good, though overly long, and some plot lines were stronger than others. Lady Dedlock’s plot line was my favorite, building to an enormous, resonant climax, some of the social criticism plot lines were annoying (the section with Boodle and Doodle almost made me put the book down) and the ending was extremely sweet.
Definitely worth reading, even if the pet name ‘little woman’ made me throw up in my mouth every time....more
This was a confused mess. Euripides is still Euripides, always worth reading, but with this it seems like he couldn't commit to the core of the tragedThis was a confused mess. Euripides is still Euripides, always worth reading, but with this it seems like he couldn't commit to the core of the tragedy and all the characters waffled and reversed in unsatisfying ways. He tried too hard to redeem Agamemnon and Menelaus as characters that he missed their core brutality, and it made the entire situation unreal. As for Iphigenia, I found her behavior unconvincing and a cop out. ...more
This was very well done. The language is crystalline, and the characters are well drawn. It is a heartbreaking exploration of an abusive and controlliThis was very well done. The language is crystalline, and the characters are well drawn. It is a heartbreaking exploration of an abusive and controlling family dynamic....more
This does not really pick up until the end, where the conflict snaps into focus. Rather than a trilogy of plays, this is really one long play with a sThis does not really pick up until the end, where the conflict snaps into focus. Rather than a trilogy of plays, this is really one long play with a slow, deliberate beginning. It seems to be building toward a catastrophic conclusion in the final play, Wallenstein’s Death...more
Interesting, textured overview of the camp. Since this is the first of a trilogy of plays, it didn’t really have much story, it was more slice of lifeInteresting, textured overview of the camp. Since this is the first of a trilogy of plays, it didn’t really have much story, it was more slice of life texture, but it was well done in a slow way. ...more
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