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beppe · 07-27-2011, 07:31 AM

I just read an interesting little book.
An Iliad (2006) by the Italian author Alessandro Baricco. It is a reduction/condensation of the Homer monumental tale. The narrative is developed by the voice of many characters, major and minor: even the river speaks his voice. In modern prose.

I had pleasure in reading it. It is a page turner, although we know the plot already

I think it would be an interesting read for those who are familiar with the Homer poem, an amusing exercise of style.
For those who are not, I think it would be a favorable occasion to enter in that far away world, and taste some of its flavors. Not all of course, many elements have been removed, but some, quite catching, remain.

Baricco adds only a few modern reflections to the character’s thoughts: old Nestor, for instance, plays with the paradox that the young have an “old idea of war,” which entails honor, beauty and glory, while the old take up new ways to fight simply in order to win.

07-27-2011, 07:31 AM	#10268
beppe Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,161 Karma: 81026524 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Italy Device: Kindle3, Ipod4, IPad2	I just read an interesting little book. An Iliad (2006) by the Italian author Alessandro Baricco. It is a reduction/condensation of the Homer monumental tale. The narrative is developed by the voice of many characters, major and minor: even the river speaks his voice. In modern prose. I had pleasure in reading it. It is a page turner, although we know the plot already I think it would be an interesting read for those who are familiar with the Homer poem, an amusing exercise of style. For those who are not, I think it would be a favorable occasion to enter in that far away world, and taste some of its flavors. Not all of course, many elements have been removed, but some, quite catching, remain. Baricco adds only a few modern reflections to the character’s thoughts: old Nestor, for instance, plays with the paradox that the young have an “old idea of war,” which entails honor, beauty and glory, while the old take up new ways to fight simply in order to win.