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9780300281927

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Reviews

Included in the New Statesman’s “Best of the Academic Presses” roundup “[A] remarkable, brave and compassionate book.”—Rowan Williams, New Statesman “[A] thought provoking book”—Nigel Warburton, New European “A timely book . . . well written (and excellently proof-read). . . . What makes this book so successful is that [Hall’s] family saga allows her to create a narrative which is both personal and universal.”—John Godwin, Classics for All “Edith Hall combines personal memoir with her own intimate understanding and painstakingly researched use of ancient Greek tragedy to address the subject of suicide. This important book aims to help readers who may find themselves in a similar position of suffering.”—Paul Cartledge, University of Cambridge “The best book on suicide I have read. Edith Hall intertwines family history, autobiography, and philosophy, with close readings of ancient Greek authors in this moving exploration of those who decide they can’t go on and the effects their actions have on family, friends, and descendants.”—Nigel Warburton, author of A Little History of Philosophy   “Edith Hall is a clear-eyed classicist in the real world, confronting family furies of depression and suicide alongside sensitive and revelatory readings of the Greek plays: the result is ultimately a humane and affirming vision of life.”—A. E. Stallings, author of This Afterlife, Like, and Olives “Original, witty and profound: Edith Hall leavens her magisterial scholarship with a personal story that is searingly honest and inspiringly redemptive. She makes the Ancient Greeks relevant and feeling.”—Margaret Reynolds, author of The Wild Track and editor of The Sappho Companion “A song of sorrow, tenderness, and heartbreak, the most powerful thing I have read in an age. I stayed up all night to finish it.”—Marina Carr, award-winning playwright

Included in The New Statesman “Best of the Academic Presses” roundup “A richly multifaceted book. . . . Family and travel memoir, pandemic project, investigative journalism and study in the application of Greek myth to family pathology: Facing Down the Furies is all these, written not only with Hall’s signature clarity, but also with candour and courage.”—Rachel Hadas, Times Literary Supplement, “Books of the Year” “[A] remarkable, brave and compassionate book.”—Rowan Williams, New Statesman “[A] thought provoking book.”—Nigel Warburton, New European Included in New Statesman’s “20 Best Books of 2024” “A timely book . . . well written (and excellently proof-read). . . . What makes this book so successful is that [Hall’s] family saga allows her to create a narrative which is both personal and universal.”—John Godwin, Classics for All “Extremely easy to read, despite the subject matter. It oscillates between dark personal memoir and really illuminating discussions of passages of ancient Greek tragedy.”—Nigel Warburton, Five Books Included in Five Books’ “Best Philosophy Books of 2024” “A rare example of a book that was clearly therapeutic to write and that is both moving and illuminating to read. . . . Unique and unforgettable.”—Classical Outlook “Edith Hall combines personal memoir with her own intimate understanding and painstakingly researched use of ancient Greek tragedy to address the subject of suicide. This important book aims to help readers who may find themselves in a similar position of suffering.”—Paul Cartledge, University of Cambridge “Edith Hall is a clear-eyed classicist in the real world, confronting family furies of depression and suicide alongside sensitive and revelatory readings of the Greek plays: the result is ultimately a humane and affirming vision of life.”—A. E. Stallings, author of This Afterlife, Like, and Olives “Original, witty and profound: Edith Hall leavens her magisterial scholarship with a personal story that is searingly honest and inspiringly redemptive. She makes the Ancient Greeks relevant and feeling.”—Margaret Reynolds, author of The Wild Track and editor of The Sappho Companion “A song of sorrow, tenderness, and heartbreak, the most powerful thing I have read in an age. I stayed up all night to finish it.”—Marina Carr, award-winning playwright

Included in the New Statesman’s “Best of the Academic Presses” roundup “A richly multifaceted book. . . . Family and travel memoir, pandemic project, investigative journalism and study in the application of Greek myth to family pathology: Facing Down the Furies is all these, written not only with Hall’s signature clarity, but also with candour and courage.”—Rachel Hadas, Times Literary Supplement, “Books of the Year” “[A] remarkable, brave and compassionate book.”—Rowan Williams, New Statesman “[A] thought provoking book.”—Nigel Warburton, New European “A timely book . . . well written (and excellently proof-read). . . . What makes this book so successful is that [Hall’s] family saga allows her to create a narrative which is both personal and universal.”—John Godwin, Classics for All “Edith Hall combines personal memoir with her own intimate understanding and painstakingly researched use of ancient Greek tragedy to address the subject of suicide. This important book aims to help readers who may find themselves in a similar position of suffering.”—Paul Cartledge, University of Cambridge “The best book on suicide I have read. Edith Hall intertwines family history, autobiography, and philosophy, with close readings of ancient Greek authors in this moving exploration of those who decide they can’t go on and the effects their actions have on family, friends, and descendants.”—Nigel Warburton, author of A Little History of Philosophy   “Edith Hall is a clear-eyed classicist in the real world, confronting family furies of depression and suicide alongside sensitive and revelatory readings of the Greek plays: the result is ultimately a humane and affirming vision of life.”—A. E. Stallings, author of This Afterlife, Like, and Olives “Original, witty and profound: Edith Hall leavens her magisterial scholarship with a personal story that is searingly honest and inspiringly redemptive. She makes the Ancient Greeks relevant and feeling.”—Margaret Reynolds, author of The Wild Track and editor of The Sappho Companion “A song of sorrow, tenderness, and heartbreak, the most powerful thing I have read in an age. I stayed up all night to finish it.”—Marina Carr, award-winning playwright

Author Information

Edith Hall is a professor in the Department of Classics and Ancient History at Durham University. She is the author of more than thirty books, including Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life. She lives in Cambridgeshire, UK.

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