The Greek Plays 2: Ajax in Iraq, Kissing the Floor, Penelope, Mercury’s Footpath, and The Oresteia

by Ellen McLaughlin

Ellen McLaughlin returns with a new collection of adaptations and modern reimaginings of classic Greek tragedies. Drawing on works by Sophocles, Homer, Aeschylus and more, these plays breathe fresh life into timeless questions and conflicts that still feel startlingly relevant Can civilization survive humanity’s basest instincts? What do we do about the human compulsion toward violence? Are we irreversibly transformed by the trauma of war and political strife, or is there a chance we can recover a part of our former selves? This collection includes the plays Ajax in Iraq (from Sophocles), Kissing the Floor (Sophocles) , Penelope (Homer) , Mercury’s Footpath (Euripides) , and The Oresteia (based on Aeschylus’ trilogy Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers , and The Eumenides ).

Genres: Plays

400 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Rachel Pollock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read The Orestaia but Goodreads doesn’t have these listed as single scripts. I’d like to work on it some day.

[Catherine Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am confused by this page/commentary. The picture and description apply to volume 2 of McLaughlin's "Greek Plays". This book has still not been released as of 10/17/2024, and now the publisher has said that when they have a 'new' release date, I will be notified. The release date had already been pushed out 2 or 3 times previously.

Or perhaps this Goodreads commentary refers to volume 1 of her plays. Or to some other (or any) version of these ancient Greek plays.

Also, technically speaking, these are 'versions', not 'translations', of these ancient plays, as are most modern scripts. Even if still set in ancient time, they are altered enough that a modern audience can follow the story and understand and enjoy the wording.

All that said, I am still eagerly awaiting for the book to hit my mailbox.
And my 3 stars is because I have to leave a rating to post a comment. I expect the book to be excellent.

Update:
I preordered both the printed pb and the Kindle versions. I see the Kindle version is scheduled to be delivered to my library in a few days. The hard copy is the one with no set delivery date.

[Alexandria Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreads doesn’t have just Oresteia :(

[Sophia Sachar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable.