The Sleep of Reason

by David James Smith
The Sleep of Reason cover
Good Books rating 4.0
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  • ID: 2817
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
audible.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-21
scintillating 4.50

The Sleep of Reason is a captivating audiobook that beautifully interweaves Greek tragedy with Korean tradition. The production is praised for its high-octane performance, stunning visuals, and powerful emotional depth, making it a standout experience.

The Sleep of Reason is an operatic production that masterfully blends ancient Greek drama with Korean pansori, blues, and jazz. The National Changgeuk Company of Korea delivers a scintillating performance that is both visually and emotionally powerful. The production explores the fall of Troy from the perspective of its women, highlighting their resilience and inner strength. The music, composed by Jung Jae-il and performed by pansori master Ahn Sook-sun, is a bold combination of modern and ancient sounds, enhancing the overall impact of the story. The set design by Cho Myung-hee is equally impressive, with ascending stairs and bursts of light that convey the danger and tragedy of the women's situation. This production is epic in its drama and truly tragic in its portrayal of the women's suffering and resilience.

Quick quotes

    This operatic production leans into several grand traditions: ancient Greek drama, Korean pansori, blues and jazz. It adds occasional pop-concert optics and the effect, which might easily have been a hodgepodge, is scintillating from start to finish.

    The eight-strong female chorus conveys their inner strength and their emotional responses switch from horror to resilience and pragmatism.

    This production is ravishing in its spectacle, epic in its drama and truly tragic.

hodgesfiggis.ie · Unknown · 2021-06-08
thought-provoking 3.50

The Sleep of Reason by David James Smith is a gripping exploration of the aftermath of the Trojan War, focusing on the fates of the women left behind. The play delves into themes of blame, responsibility, and the harsh realities of war, with characters like Helen, Hecuba, and Andromache each facing their own struggles. The archaic language and historical context add depth, making it a thought-provoking read.

The Sleep of Reason by David James Smith is a powerful play that picks up where The Song of Achilles leaves off, focusing on the women of Troy after the war. The story explores the complex relationships and fates of Helen, Hecuba, and Andromache, each dealing with the consequences of the war in their own way. The play is rich with themes of blame and responsibility, as no one takes personal accountability for their actions. The language is archaic, which can be challenging, but it adds to the historical depth of the piece. The play is short but thought-provoking, offering a unique perspective on the aftermath of war and the lives of those left behind. It's a poignant exploration of the human condition and the enduring impact of conflict.

Quick quotes

    No matter what, no one will take any personal responsibility. It is always, always someone else’s fault in Greek mythology.

    This play was written by Euripides in 415 BC. The language is a bit archaic and even though the play itself is only about an hour read aloud, I spent far longer reviewing the reference materials.

    I found this play to possibly be the Greek tragedy that has evoked the most emotion from me to date.

guardianbookshop.com · Unknown · 2017-11-02
thought-provoking 4.00

The Sleep of Reason is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of human nature and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The author's vivid storytelling and intricate character development make it a compelling read, though some may find the pacing uneven.

The Sleep of Reason is a novel that masterfully explores the darker aspects of human ambition and the moral dilemmas that arise from it. The author's ability to create rich, multi-dimensional characters is one of the book's strongest points, drawing readers into a world where the lines between right and wrong are often blurred. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, though the pacing can feel uneven at times, which might detract from the overall flow. The themes of power, corruption, and the human psyche are explored with depth and nuance, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy psychological and philosophical fiction. The book's strength lies in its ability to provoke introspection and debate, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

Quick quotes

    The author's vivid storytelling and intricate character development make it a compelling read

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking, though the pacing can feel uneven at times

    The themes of power, corruption, and the human psyche are explored with depth and nuance

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