Paradise Lost (Oxford World's Classics) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Philip Pullman (Introduction)
Key Phrases: Paradise Zosi, Son of God, Paradise Zqsi (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A beautiful new edition from Oxford.... Pullman's a shrewd choice for commentator. He's thrilled many young readers with 'His Dark Materials,' a fantasy trilogy inspired by his reading of Milton. In fact, with his commentary to guide us, this edition of 'Paradise Lost' seems backlit by Pullman's own epic."--Los Angeles Times
"What his volume lacks in learned detail, it amply makes up for in verve and sweep and in the sheer pleasure derived from Milton's language.... Presented in this way, the poem is so enticing that readers may ultimately agree with Mr. Pullman that 'no one, not even Shakespeare, surpasses Milton in his command of the sound, the music, the weight and taste and texture of English words.'"--Wall Street Journal
"A handsome, lean new edition of John Milton's astonishing Christian epic.... Novelist Philip Pullman is a delightful companion on the trip through the book."--Ron Smith, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Product Description

Paradise Lost is the great epic poem of the English language, a tale of immense drama and excitement, of rebellion and treachery, of innocence pitted against corruption, in which God and Satan fight a bitter battle for control of mankind's destiny. The struggle ranges across heaven, hell, and earth, as Satan and his band of rebel angels conspire against God. At the center of the conflict are Adam and Eve, motivated by all too human temptations, but whose ultimate downfall is unyielding love. This marvelous new edition boasts an introduction by one of Milton's most famous modern admirers, the best-selling novelist Philip Pullman. Indeed, Pullman not only provides a general introduction, but also introduces each of the twelve books of the poem. In these commentaries, Pullman illuminates the power of the poem and its achievement as a story, suggests how we should read it today, and describes its influence on him and his acclaimed trilogy His Dark Materials, which takes its title from a line in the poem. His observations offer a tribute that is both personal and insightful, and his enthusiasm for Milton's language, skill, and supreme gifts as a storyteller is infectious. He encourages readers above all to experience the poem for themselves, and surrender to its enchantment. Pullman's tremendous admiration and passion for Paradise Lost will attract a whole new generation of readers to this classic of English literature. An ideal gift, the book is beautifully produced, printed in two colors throughout, illustrated with the twelve engravings from the first illustrated edition published in 1688, with ribbon marker.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 1st hardback/1st Printing edition (September 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019280619X
• ISBN-13: 978-0192806192
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,876 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

67 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Handsome Devil of a Book, October 20, 2005

By	Akimon Azuki - See all my reviews

I have other editions of Paradise Lost, many with lengthy and preachy introductions, but this one has become my favourite. The design is beautiful, with a great cover, blood red inside covers and red ribbon marker. The original engravings that illustrate the story are a unique feature and look great.
The introduction and notes on all chapters written by Philip Pullman are short, refreshing and suprisingly funny. Even if you studied Paradise in depth, his comments may shed new light on this classic work. As he reminds the readers, these are his views as a fan rather than a scholar, and he tries to clear some cobwebs that gathered on Milton's opus and bring it closer into focus for the modern readers. Among his references are Alfred Hitchcock's movies and novels of Frederick Forsyth. And he tackles that age old dilema- if he is so evil, why do we find Lucifer so damn likeable...?
If you want to read Paradise Lost for the first time, possibly after/before devouring Pullman's own Dark Materials trilogy, look no further than this beautiful edition. And even if you have other copies, this is a great addition to your home library. Nothing wrong with a good looking book, when the content matches the design in quality, as it is the case here.

47 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful edition, October 8, 2005

By	Joe Glaser (Kentucky) - See all my reviews

Interesting but skimpy comments from Philip Pullman, but the real attractions are a very clean and historically sensitive page design and the Michael Burghers engravings from the first illustrated edition of 1688. I own other PL's, but from now on this is the one I will take down to read.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Malt Does More Than Milton Can, April 9, 2008

By	Jay Young (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an excellent edition of "Paradise Lost" to own. The binding and dustjacket are nice, a red ribbon bookmark makes reading it handy, there are gorgeous illustrations before each chapter, as well as introductions by Philip Pullman before each chapter. To understand Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy, it is essential to understand "Paradise Lost." Of course, Pullman has his own unique views on Milton's masterpiece, and not everyone will agree with them, but they are interesting to read in any case. Anyway, this is an essential read for anyone who wants a grasp of modern English literature.