I’ve read about half of Nabokov’s repetoire over the years, and nothing so far has affected me like Lolita.  It’s one of my favorite books, for the pure brilliance.

I would disagree with one thing you quoted above - this is NOT a book about a man who fell in love.  It may seem that way, at the beginning, but by the end, it’s clear that it’s not.

I can’t wait to read your review of the short stories.  I wasn’t actually aware that he’d written a lot of those.  My husband and I own every single one of his books, but no short stories.  I’m going to have to look into that.

I think it’s funny people think Lolita is pornographic, because the sex scenes are so artfully glossed over–like a scene in a movie where they close the door just before you see anything, but you know what’s going to happen next.

I’m glad I’m not the only one who dislike Achilles. The introduction to Fagles translation had some great discussion about Achilles: he was like the gods, because the gods didn’t have any sympathy either, so in a sense, he was forgetting his place (i.e., that he’s human).

I haven’t seen the Chapman translation. I may have to look into it.

After many years of false starts and wavering, I recently decided to attempt reading Homer as well as all the existing Greek tragedies (finished Homer and about 75% of the tragedies).

Like you, I chose the Fagles translation based on a number of recommendations from trusted reviewers and friends. I found it a bit of a tough go at first (the naming of the ships part especially), but really got into it about four or five books in when I finally felt immersed in the poetry.

I had the same thoughts about Hector and Achilles. The scene with Hector consoling his baby son Astayanax really humanised him, and his interactions with his wife and mother presented him as a noble and virtuous man. Achilles, however, comes across as a spoiled thug in almost all of the book. It’s hard to believe, given our modern sensibilities, that he is the “hero” of this epic. The only part where he seemed normal was Book I; all his subsequent actions – sulking over the loss of Briseis, selfishly withdrawing from battle, asking the gods to assist the Trojans, the human sacrifices, his treatment of Hector’s corpse – really turned me off of him as even a remotely sympathetic character.
I also liked how the gods were often portrayed as petty and vindictive… not very “god-like” in the modern sense. And how the combatants would introduce themselves and their lineage before proceeding to battle.

In sum, my experience with The Iliad was very positive… I only wish I had not waited so long to undertake it.

Also I have had thoughts of examining the Chapman translation of The Iliad, just because I like that Keats’ poem about it so much!

I would also highly recommend Euripides’ The Trojan Women and Hecuba for their description of the immediate aftermath of the fall of Troy.

P.S. I have just discoverd your blog.. nice work!

Steven

Kim, I did right a preliminary post before about translations here.

M, thanks for the info (and for your review!). My review of Palestine is here.

I see Karen’s point that is there are lots of professors out there: why did I choose Harold Bloom? I mostly chose him because I haven’t read enough others to know any others. I came across the book, liked his thoughts in the beginning, and wanted to read the books he recommends. I’m finding most of HTR&W to be a bit too personal rather than practical (i.e., why it’s good for him, not why it could be good for me), but the list is still good..

Hieroglyphs were not used for writing, except for texts set in stone (on a stelae, tomb wall, temple wall etc). For everyday writing on papyri or ostraca the scribes used a faster handwriting style called hieratic. And in later times the even faster handwriting demotic.
Okay, better stop now before I go overboard with the Egyptology crash course

I agree that these classics need some ‘getting in to’ but once you do - oh boy!
Warmest
Rob

I wrote a post about translations and I’m writing another post about my thoughts about the Fagles translation for tomorrow, so keep in mind that translation can make a big difference in enjoyment factor… (the one I owned was pretty horrendously impossible to understand…)

As for the Eruipides, someone else mentioned Women of Troy — with your recommendation too, I’ve added it to my list for sure!

Tuesday, Yes, I’m seeing a pattern. As for the format, I was trying to give an overview to the story in this post. It was really hard to get it started, there is so much to say!

Paula, glad this overview help you!

Toni, surprisingly, a lot of the things I read said that when Swift wrote it not many people were mortified: they “got it”. Haven’t read The Road. Good to know that not everyone likes it…