Paradise Lost (Norton Critical Editions) Paperback – December 15, 2004

The language is rich and delicious, if reading silently then to the inner ear, and a delight when following the book while listening to an Audible reading. There are echoes of Iliad and other classic literature. Descriptions of the love felt by Adam for Eve and by Eve for Adam are touching, sensitively described and insightful. Here is the culmination of another thousand plus years of the evolution of the Western mind beyond the ritualism and materialism of the ancient world with love reflected as a new dimension in the understanding of human affairs; love is the prime force in the motivation of the creator and the created beings. The treatment of the nuances of love is equal to anything in Ovid, Petrarch or Borges.As for the story, the description of the fall can be taken as a beautifully told parable for the basis of human sorrow and suffering and the way to liberation from it. Eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil represents the human capacity for self-awareness and the awareness of the sorrow and suffering of others, something manifest to a much lesser degree, if even at all, among the co-created beings with whom we shared this planet. Yet in spite of the fall, all is not lost, or if lost then lost but only for a time. Redemption, the triumph of love and the good, remains an open promise. Once again, this is a promise premised on the motivation of love. Love, through the offering and sacrifice of a life, brings the restoration of the good in all its fullness. The parable warns us- love is not easy to live for and sacrifice will be required. Still, the lesson here is of love and the triumph of love. Feeling cynical? Everything seems a sad ‘joke?’ Feeling out of touch with your special companion? Not able to empathize with friends or coworkers- they’re all blockheads? Drink deeply and repeatedly of this tonic and be restored.

As a classicist, I have read Homer and Vergil many times, in the originals and in translation, and I have made it through Dante (although I want to revisit him), but I had never until recently made it to Milton. What a lacuna in my experience! "Paradise Lost" is surprisingly accessible for poetry, and surprisingly moving on a personal level: although it is deeply philosophical, it also makes us care deeply for its principals (including for Satan, although he is of course the heavy). There is such sadness and longing in the work, as well as a cautious optimism with Christ's redemption predicted. It brings to life the story from Genesis (with some notable changes and expansions) in a passionate and empathic way.

This book was written by an Englishman during a period of political upheaval in Britan with the coming to power of Oliver Cromwell. The author was a supporter of Cromwell. Although the book was about the downfall of Satan and his banishment from Heaven and the creation of Eden and the subsequent banishment of Adam and Eve, it was used, at the time of its writing, as an allegory for the deposing of the King and the rise of a "civilian" government. The book is in verse poem and can be difficult to read when first started but once you adjust to the rythm of the writing it is well written and clear.

Excellent product exactly as described. The print is very small-maybe this should be in the product description.

A must read for the spiritually-minded. Milton's extrapolation of Satan's and man's fall is, in my opinion, worth knowing. Apparently Milton claimed that it was divinely inspired, and this book was tremendously controversial when written. This version helps the modern reader understand this archaic work in context.

"Paradise Lost" (the poem in general) was a very good story. Buying The Norton Critical Edition was rather a wise choice, it not only included the poem, it included writers like C.S Lewis's conclusion and opinions on the book. The books' introduction was certainly something That added more points to my liking of the book, it began with a short biography of John Milton that with out a doubt lead to me to understand the kind of man Milton was. FIVE STARS!

Good book, not my favorite.

Norton Critical Editions have never let me down.This is my third critical edition and I love it just as much as the others.Paradise Lost is a classic with many layers and I look forward to reading the critical responses for years to come.The responses are from many people, not just recent, but right up from when Paradise Lost was first published.Enjoyable.