I was not looking forward to reading this version of Sophocles' play as I often find that re-writes are not as good as the original. Trepidation grew...moreI was not looking forward to reading this version of Sophocles' play as I often find that re-writes are not as good as the original. Trepidation grew after I had read the introduction - Anouilh had changed some of the basics of the Greek tragic play. The Chorus was a single man not a group that sing and dance their way through their lines, the blind soothsayer Tiresias did not get a look in and Eurydice was not given a line to say.
I was , therefore, pleasantly surprised as I flew through the play, absorbing the sentiment and coming out at the end with less annoyance with the eponymous character than I had in the original play. The failing is that Anouilh did not really give Antigone a reason for her behaviour. With Sophocles, Antigone has a very clear cut sense of familial duty that is wrapped in a religious duty - the modern Antigone dispenses with the religious sentiment altogether and her sense of duty is strong but not as fervent, surely not fervent enough to risk death. But perhaps this is also the strength of Anouilh's play, Antigone is a teenage girl and having been one of those I can remember that the motives behind my actions were often far from clear, thought out and were usually regretted.
Anouilh brought an ancient Greek text and made it relevant to the early 20th century in which it was first produced. As with all Greek tragedies, re-written or not, there is still a relevance to today's society. This is a wonderful reworking of a masterpiece and I shall be on the lookout for productions of this version to see it translated onto the stage.(less)
Nobody does tragedy like the Ancient Greeks. Love, honour, kingship and religion form the basis for the tale of a headstrong girl and her king, her br...moreNobody does tragedy like the Ancient Greeks. Love, honour, kingship and religion form the basis for the tale of a headstrong girl and her king, her brother and her lover (and the last 3 are not all the same person albeit that she is the daughter of Oedipus!).
This edition, suitable for students of all levels, is a modern translation with side by side commentaries to help the reader overcome any gaps in the mythology or classical history knowledge. The language is contemporary and there are pointers to help the reader consider hhow the play could be performed.
It really is a student version, but if you want an introduction to the Ancient Greek plays then this is a good place to start.(less)
Aspects of the Novel is based on a series of lectures that Forster gave in 1927 and examines (as the name would suggest) the different aspects of the...moreAspects of the Novel is based on a series of lectures that Forster gave in 1927 and examines (as the name would suggest) the different aspects of the novel. Moving away from a chronological view of novels Forster considers, story, plot, characterisation, pattern and rhythm, fantasy and prophecy.
Forster's wit shines through and had me laughing out loud at some of his observations. Some may consider him a snob, but I fear that they are the people who are unable to face their own shortcomings (I noticed a couple of mine). Particularly interesting was how Forster foresaw novels changing in the future. 85 years into that future it gave me pause to see how Forster's prophecies have, or have not, come to pass.
I heartily recommend this to anybody with an interest in literature and how it is perceived and structured.(less)
It is a year since I finished reading this novel (and noticed I'd failed to put a review up) but I can honestly say I recall it very clearly and that...moreIt is a year since I finished reading this novel (and noticed I'd failed to put a review up) but I can honestly say I recall it very clearly and that is the sign of a good read.
Was it the morbidity that kept the novel in my mind? I think to a large degree it was. A person with a deviated mind, sick perversions and the stories of his victims were written in such a way that I cannot forget them.
I won't put a synopsis in this review as I think the reader needs to make their own way through this work. If there is one criticism it would be the ending which I felt was a little rushed, as if Lovric did not know what to do with her left-over characters. For all that, this is a read that lingers...(less)
An honest narrator and beautiful language. By creating relationships of verbs and adjectives with nouns that are not normally found in close company,...moreAn honest narrator and beautiful language. By creating relationships of verbs and adjectives with nouns that are not normally found in close company, Zusak makes this a delight to read. I enjoyed every minute of this book.(less)
Set in Botswana and introducing Detective "Kubu", this is a nice easy read. Mixing the 21st century with the old superstitions of Africa, the authors...moreSet in Botswana and introducing Detective "Kubu", this is a nice easy read. Mixing the 21st century with the old superstitions of Africa, the authors evoke a Botswana just a little more gritty than Alexander McCall Smith's. Having persevered through the opening chapters with changes of POV and some naive writing, I found the book an enjoyable read. One or other of the authors has a poetic tendency and this became more apparent as the book went on. I found the tying up of loose ends a little rushed compared to the rest of the book but it still made for a good read; ideal for times when you want pure escapism.(less)
I've never been much of a fan of Shakespeare's plays so with some little trepidation did I approach Coriolanus. Pigeon-holed as a tragedy in 1623 by H...moreI've never been much of a fan of Shakespeare's plays so with some little trepidation did I approach Coriolanus. Pigeon-holed as a tragedy in 1623 by Heminges and Condell the play has perhaps suffered from genre-typing. This is not the tragedy one may expect if thinking of Lear, Othello, Hamlet or Macbeth - there are no heart-rending, soul-searching soliloquies to give insight into the man's psyche. This is the tragedy of a public man, played out in the public arena. It is also full of commentary on the political situation at the time.
The introduction by Lee Bliss can be a little dry at times but it is comprehensive. I would recommend working your way through it in order to appreciate some of the political angles Shakespeare obliquely puts in.
Overall, this is a tragedy for the people, the city, the public man and worth the read. (less)
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