Roses & Thorns

Roses & Thorns

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

The Story of the Iliad by Simon Armitage

Blurb:

Following his highly acclaimed dramatization of the Odyssey, Simon Armitage here takes on the fate of Troy, bringing Homer’s Iliad to life with refreshing imaginative vision. In the final days of the Trojan War, the Trojans and the Greeks are caught in a bitter stalemate. Exhausted and desperate after ten years of warfare, gods and men battle among themselves for the glory of recognition and a hand in victory. Cleverly intertwining the Iliad and the Aeneid, Armitage poetically narrates the tale of Troy to its dire end, evoking a world plagued by deceit, conflict, and a deadly predilection for pride and envy. As with the Odyssey, Armitage reveals the echoes of ancient myth in our contemporary war-torn landscape, and reinvigorates the classic epics with adventure, passion, and, surprisingly, Shakespearean wit.

Review:

Simon Armitage’s The Story of the Iliad is a dramatic retelling of Homer’s epic and the last days of Troy. It is an enriching read for its transforming qualities from classic moments to contemporary wisdoms. It is easy to read, written in play format. I especially appreciate the insight it gives to the main characters of the Iliad and it’s ability to enliven them for me. While I still consider Homer’s Iliad one of the greatest reads and not to be missed, I can recommend Armitage’s book as an interesting and enjoyable supplement.

Thanks for visiting, Rose, Julie, Donna, & Rochelle

Length:  112 Pages

Print Price:  $13.95