Customer Reviews

John Milton's Paradise Lost In Plain English: A Simple, Line By Line Paraphrase Of The Complicated Masterpiece

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This book follows the same side-by-side format as the Paradise Lost: Parallel Prose Edition. However, here the poem is transformed into the absolute lowest common denominator of modern colloquial language. The critics have weighed in with their obligatory derision, but here are a few unexpected positives students have pointed out:
1. As you scan the sometimes outrageous interpretations, you're made to stop and look across to Milton's poem to see if he really could have said anything like that, only to find, surprisingly, he did -- a tricky way to lure reluctant readers to the very epic poetry they came here to avoid.

2. Young people are more likely to respond emotionally to the down-to-earth, sometimes even vulgar, interplay between Adam and Eve, than to the stately speeches of the original.

3. You get "in plain English" exactly who, where and what Milton is referring to in those many allusions to ancient history, the Bible, mythology, etc., whereas the Parallel Prose Edition generally uses the same obscure wording as the original.

This book saved my life! Why didn't somebody think of this years ago? Too obvious? Don't listen to the snobs. And don't be misled by the humorous bits on the covers. This is a serious work If you are struggling with Milton, this will save you hours and make your life a lot easier.

Read Paradise Lost in college years ago. It was hard to understand but did manage to get the general sense of what was taking place. Always wondered why no one undertook the task of writing the greatist epic story ever told in simple English. Now there is one. I hope they make the movie too. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I must say the English literal translation is not really that good though. It's just a summary of each verse but it DOES help in reinforcing if you read the prose.
I read the prose on the left and after read the summary translation on the right. It was very very beneficial. Milton's paradise lost is just a great. And surely only Smart people can read this book or anyone willing to read it.
If you decide to read just the summary on the right it will be good but you will miss on all the details and the juicy meat. So i advise to read both sides.

The paraphrase was a great help at the beginning, but as I got into it I didn't need to read the paraphrase.

Let's cut to the chase. (as this book does) Short on time? Want to zip through the entire Paradise Lost in 30 minutes and fully understand the whole thing? It can be done. This book gives you the bare bones translation of all the convoluted phrases and mysterious references. Dumb down and get smart fast!

Milton gelded. Have fun with it, kids. Too bad there isn't a movie for you to watch yet. Enjoy a life with no beauty in it. I'm sure all the lower pleasures will help you forget.