FINALLY! A CLASSIC NOVEL THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND! I get that you probably should not rely on the rewritten versions of novels when it comes to these kinds of things – it's helpful to have it written in a way that you can understand, but if you're going to quote it, you should probably have the original on hand. I have heard and referenced Oedipus so often throughout college and high school, yet I have never gotten around to reading it because I knew it was dense and impossible to understand on my own without a teacher and a class discussion. But now I can say that I read it, and I understood it too!


Thank you so much for the arc! It's important to continue to read these classic pieces in the same way that it is important to know history. However, the longer time goes on, the farther we stray from the original vernacular. If we don't continue to modernize it while also preserving the original work, important pieces of literature will be lost forever.

My introduction to Sophocles. I enjoyed the introduction very much. The translation was lucid and lovely. Very approachable. Though I have not read other translations so cannot compare the modernity of the texts. But this is a well-thought and balanced translation. Neither too archaic nor too contemporary.

These new translations of Sophocles’ Theban plays seemed to me to be very readable and accessible, whilst not succumbing to the temptation to make them too colloquial or forcing the contemporary references. Having recently read the plays in another translation, I really preferred this one. I also really enjoyed learning about Theatre of War Productions, which Bryan Doerries talks about at some length in his introduction and I was compelled to find out more. I highly recommend this version of the plays.

I enjoyed this translation of the classic story of Oedipus and would recommend to others. I think Doerries was careful and deliberate in his translation of one of times oldest and most classic plays.

The introduction was really interesting! Theatre of War Productions sounds like a great initiative! Although the introduction does spoil the plays so if you don't want that, read it afterwards.

I really enjoyed the plays, especially Oedipus the King (Oedipus Rex). The translations by Bryan Doerries are very readable. I had no trouble with the wording or phrasing. These new translations hopefully make the play more accessible to the new generations.

This contains not just a fine translation of the three Oedipus plays, but an outstanding introduction, in which editor and translator Bryan Doerries discusses his Theater of War Productions company and how putting on these plays among and for communities affected by racial violence, veterans with PTSD, and other groups struggling with trauma can help in the healing process. I was fascinated by this work and the way the company addresses social justice issues, eldercare, homelessness, and other contemporary issues. Highly recommended.

A beautiful new translation of an old classic. The Oedipus Trilogy is a must read for everyone and this new modern translation makes it more accessible than ever. I did have some formatting issues reading it on my kindle but as it’s an ARC, I’m sure it’ll all be sorted out for the final version. And the physical book has a gorgeous new cover. All in all, I highly recommend this edition if for whatever reason you don’t have Sophocles’s epics already on your shelf.

A beautifully edited classic, made modern for our turbulent times. Bryan Doerries has done a fantastic job of making one of the most famous classics into a vital and current tale.

I love Sophocles so I am always up for reading a new translation.

This translation was pretty good, though I still prefer older translations. Also I don't know if it was just because of it being on mobile, but the formatting for this one was a little off and kind of distracting. Never the less I persisted and wasn't disappointed.

The old story is there. The meaning more modernized is probably a little easier for younger generations to keep up with as well as those of us who grew up reading these tales.

Overall, a good read that kept me entertained.

Would recommend, though I don't think it is different enough to justify buying a whole other copy for the library where I work at.