Book Review: The Iliad by Homer

“Even a brave man cannot fight beyond his strength.” 

— The Iliad by Homer

The Iliad by Homer is one of the oldest and most famous works of classical literature. Traditionally attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, it is believed to have been composed around the 8th century BCE. This epic poem is an important part of Greek literary history and has influenced countless writers and storytellers throughout the centuries. Written in poetic form, the book reflects the beliefs, values, and traditions of ancient Greek society. Although it can be challenging for modern readers because of its language and style, The Iliad remains a significant literary work that continues to be studied and appreciated around the world.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

The Iliad takes place during the final year of the Trojan War, a long conflict between the Greeks and the people of Troy. The story focuses on Achilles, one of the greatest Greek warriors, and his disagreement with Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek army. Because of their conflict, Achilles refuses to join the fighting, which leads to serious consequences for the Greek soldiers.

As the war continues, both sides face terrible battles, personal losses, and difficult decisions. The gods and goddesses of Greek mythology also become involved, influencing the lives and actions of the warriors. Through the experiences of Achilles, Hector, and other important characters, the poem explores anger, pride, courage, revenge, and the suffering caused by war.

My reaction to this novel...

There are many books in the world that people consider masterpieces, and The Iliad by Homer is definitely one of them. It is one of the most famous works in classic literature, and it has been read and studied by many people for hundreds of years. Because of its reputation, I became curious about this book and wanted to experience the story for myself. I know that it is an important part of literary history, and I wanted to understand why so many people appreciate it. However, my reading experience was not as enjoyable as I expected. Honestly, I struggled a lot while reading this book, and I eventually decided to stop because I could not finish it.

Before I started reading The Iliad, I knew that it was about the Trojan War and the ancient Greek warriors. I thought it would be an interesting story because I have always found old stories, legendary characters, and historical settings fascinating. The idea of reading about brave warriors, battles and the struggles of people during a war sounded interesting to me. However, I did not realize how difficult the reading experience would be until I actually started reading it.

My biggest problem with this book was that it was written in poetry. To be honest, I am not really a fan of reading poems. I usually prefer novels written in simple prose because I find them easier to understand and enjoy. When I read a novel, I can follow the story, connect with the characters, and imagine what is happening without having to stop too often. I like it when the story flows naturally and makes me curious about what will happen next. Unfortunately, I did not experience that same feeling while reading The Iliad.

Since the book was written as an epic poem, I found it difficult to follow the story. There were times when I had to read a passage more than once just to understand what it meant. The words and sentences were not always easy for me to understand, and I sometimes felt like I was spending more time trying to figure out the meaning than actually enjoying the story. I wanted to appreciate the book, but I found myself struggling with the writing style instead.

Another thing that made it difficult for me was the language. Some of the words were unfamiliar to me, and the way the sentences were written made the story harder to digest. I know that this is a classic book, and I understand that the writing style may be different from what we usually read in modern novels. Still, I found it challenging to understand some parts of the book. There were moments when I felt that I needed to slow down and think carefully about what I had just read before I could continue.

I think one of the reasons I struggled so much was that I was not in the right mood to read this kind of book. Sometimes, we pick up a book expecting to enjoy it, but we later realize that it is not the kind of story we want to read at that moment. I think that happened to me with The Iliad. I was expecting something that I could read and understand easily, but instead, I found myself dealing with a long poem with difficult words and a writing style that I was not used to. As someone who does not usually enjoy poetry, it was hard for me to adjust.

I know that some readers love poetry and enjoy reading books like this. They may appreciate the beautiful language, the way the story is told, and the deeper meaning behind the words. I completely understand that. Different readers have different preferences, and what is difficult for one person might be enjoyable for another. Unfortunately, I am more comfortable reading stories written in prose, so I found it hard to appreciate the poetic style of this book.

Even though I struggled with the writing, I can still understand why The Iliad is considered an important work of literature. It tells the story of the Trojan War and explores different themes, such as anger, pride, bravery, honor, revenge, and the sadness that comes with war. One of the main characters is Achilles, a powerful Greek warrior whose anger plays a big part in the story. There is also Hector, a Trojan warrior who fights to protect his city and the people he loves. Their stories show that even strong and brave warriors have feelings, fears, and personal struggles.

I think the story itself has many interesting ideas. War is not only about fighting and winning. It is also about the lives of the people involved, the pain they experience, and the things they lose along the way. The characters in The Iliad deal with anger, sadness, pride, and the desire to protect the people who matter to them. These are things that people can still understand today, even though the story takes place in a very different time.

However, knowing that a book has an interesting story and important lessons does not always mean that I will enjoy reading it. Sometimes, the way a story is written can make a big difference in my reading experience. I believe that this was the main problem for me. I could understand why the story was important, but I found it difficult to enjoy the way it was presented. I wanted to focus on the characters and the events, but the poetry and the difficult words kept making me lose my interest.

For me, there is nothing wrong with leaving a book unfinished. I believe that reading should be enjoyable, although I also understand that some books require more patience and effort than others. There are times when I am willing to challenge myself and read something outside my comfort zone, but there are also times when I know that a particular book is simply not working for me. I do not think that I have to finish every book I start, especially if I am having a hard time understanding it and no longer feel interested in continuing.

I also believe that not every famous book will become a favorite for every reader. Sometimes, we hear so many good things about a book that we expect to love it, only to discover that it is not really for us. That does not mean the book is bad or that the people who love it are wrong. It simply means that we have different tastes. I can respect the importance of The Iliad without pretending that I enjoyed reading it.

Would I recommend this book to new readers? Honestly, I would not recommend it as a first choice, especially for people who are just starting to develop a reading habit. I think it might be too challenging for someone who is used to reading simple and easy-to-follow stories. If you are a new reader and you want to develop a love for books, I believe it is better to start with stories that match your interests. Reading should make you curious and excited to discover more stories, not make you feel pressured to finish something that you cannot enjoy.

Of course, this does not mean that new readers should never try The Iliad. If you are interested in Greek mythology, ancient history, or epic poetry, you might find it worth reading. However, I would suggest reading a summary of the story first or choosing a simpler retelling before trying the original poem. This might help you understand the characters and the events better, especially if you are not used to reading classic literature.

Overall, The Iliad by Homer was a challenging book for me. I struggled with the poetic format, the difficult words, and the way the story was written. I also think that my personal preference for prose played a big part in why I could not enjoy it as much as I wanted to. Although I understand that it is a famous and important classic, I was unable to finish it, and I want to be honest about that in my review.

At the end of the day, I believe that reading should be a personal journey. We do not have to love every book we pick up, and we do not have to finish every story we start. Some books will become our favorites, while others will teach us what kind of reading experience we prefer. For me, The Iliad was one of those books that I tried but could not finish. And honestly, that is okay. There are still so many other books waiting to be discovered, and I would rather spend my time reading stories that I can truly enjoy.

Have you ever tried reading a famous classic but struggled to finish it? I would love to know if you have had the same experience. Sometimes, the books that everyone praises are not always the books that we personally enjoy, and I think that is one of the things that makes reading such a personal experience.

My Overall Rating: ⭐✨(1.5/5)