Staff Pick
As someone who cannot get my hands on enough Greek and Roman mythology, I was so excited to see Anne Carson had a translation of the little-known poem written by Euripides. Differing from the traditional story where Iphigenia's sacrifice results in death, Euripides presents an alternative — Iphigenia saved by Artemis and transported to the barbaric Taurian land. Anne Carson's translation humanizes Iphigenia, and in this emotional tale we come to find the powerful force of forgiveness and familial love. For fans of the Autobiography of Red and other mythological tales, sink your teeth into the story that has almost disappeared from the common canon of Greek and Roman myths. Recommended By Alex Y., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
I am Iphigenia, daughter of the daughter of TyndareusMy father killed me
Few contemporary poets elicit such powerful responses from readers and critics as Anne Carson. The New York Times Book Review calls her work personal, necessary, and important,” while Publishers Weekly says she is nothing less than brilliant.” Her poetryenigmatic yet approachable, deeply personal yet universal in scope, wildly mutable yet always recognizable as her distinct voiceinvests contemporary concerns with the epic resonance and power of the Greek classics that she has studied, taught, and translated for decades.
Iphigenia among the Taurians is the latest in Carsons series of translations of the plays of Euripides. Originally published as part of the third edition of Chicagos Complete Greek Tragedies, it is published here as a stand-alone volume for the first time. In Carsons stunning translation, Euripidess playfull of mistaken identities, dangerous misunderstandings, and unexpected interventions by gods and menis as fierce and fresh as any contemporary drama. Carson has accomplished one of the rarest feats of translation: maintaining fidelity to a writers words even as she inflects them with her own unique poetic voice.
Destined to become the standard translation of the play, Iphigenia among the Taurians is a remarkable accomplishment, and an unforgettable work of poetic drama.
Review
“Carson is a brilliant and original translator.”
Synopsis
I am Iphigenia, daughter of the daughter of Tyndareus
My father killed me
Few contemporary poets elicit such powerful responses from readers and critics as Anne Carson. TheNew York Times Book Reviewcalls her work personal, necessary, and important, whilePublishers Weeklysays she is nothing less than brilliant. Her poetryenigmatic yet approachable, deeply personal yet universal in scope, wildly mutable yet always recognizable as her distinct voiceinvests contemporary concerns with the epic resonance and power of the Greek classics that she has studied, taught, and translated for decades.
Iphigenia among the Tauriansis the latest in Carson s series of translations of the plays of Euripides. Originally published as part of the third edition of Chicago s Complete Greek Tragedies, it is published here as a stand-alone volume for the first time. In Carson s stunning translation, Euripides s playfull of mistaken identities, dangerous misunderstandings, and unexpected interventions by gods and menis as fierce and fresh as any contemporary drama. Carson has accomplished one of the rarest feats of translation: maintaining fidelity to a writer s words even as she inflects them with her own unique poetic voice.
Destined to become the standard translation of the play, Iphigenia among the Tauriansis a remarkable accomplishment, and an unforgettable work of poetic drama."
About the Author
Euripides (c. 480 - 406 BCE) wrote some ninety plays, nineteen of which have survived.Anne Carson was born in Canada and teaches ancient Greek for a living.