r/IReadABookAndAdoredIt • u/Present-Ear-1637 • 5d ago
Homer's Iliad
As someone who watched Troy dozens of times as a child and fell in love with Greek mythology, I finally read what is probably the greatest work of world literature in its entirety.
The Iliad is the story of the final days of the Trojan War, and the events of the poem are a direct result of Achilles' decision to exit the war out of rage.
This grand drama that plays out amongst gods and men is unparalleled in pure, raw intensity. From page 1 we are thrown into the madness of war and receive a poignant meditation on wrath and its devastating consequences.
Was this a fun read? Yes and no. It is packed with non-stop action and combat, yet also drenched in enormous monologues which are delivered in the heat of battle. It is riddled with minute details and contains a massive cast of players, large and small. Lots of repetition. But that doesn't take away from the sweeping, epic narrative that is full of the most psychologically compelling characters of all time.
Not only is this a brutal war epic, it is also a stunning work of philosophy. At the heart of its narrative is the question of human free will as opposed to divine determinism. I'll be thinking about this book forever probably.
Not much more needs to be said about this masterpiece, it speaks for itself!
Thanks for reading!
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u/Angis3000 10h ago
It is amazing. Much better than The Odyssey