Epic Poetry Puns

If you've ever read one of the major sci-fi or fantasy magazine, you'll definitely have read a poem by Mary Soon Lee, whether you realized it or not. She's won multiple awards for her speculative poetry, from small poems to full-on stories, but in 2020 she released her best work-- a work that has received little to no attention.

The Sign of the Dragon is a rarity. It’s hard to describe what makes it so great, so I will start with just describing what makes it unique: firstly, its structure (an epic fantasy novel written via 300-something poems) and secondly, its content (a story of a mythic figure, yet extremely personal).

I’ve never heard of a book of speculative poetry with this kind of ambition before. You’d think it would get old after the first hundred or so, but it only becomes more enchanting, immersing you like some epic poem of old. I found myself captivated by the rhythm of it all, the beauty of the words, the magic of its verses. Definitely worked very well for me.

But my favorite part was undoubtedly its story. The tale of King Xau is an inspiring one—in a conversation with Mary Soon Lee, she said people told her everyone is too kind in this book, and this is a sensible statement: nearly every poem, every moment, every fragment of this is saturated with kindness.

King Xau himself is the biggest reason for this: he exudes kindliness with every waking breath! It’s a contagious kind of thing, elevating him very quickly to a legendary status, with many tiny examples of his warmth and gentleness. Yet it never feels naïve—he suffers consequences, the good moments feel well-earned, he becomes this strange mix of a very human person yet a figure of myth.

There are some other hints throughout this story of this being a somewhat mythic tale—we are sometimes unsure whether everything truly happened as it is depicted, or whether this is some cultures version of e.g. the Odyssey. At other moments it clearly “breaks the fourth wall”, mentioning stuff which happens but will not be remembered by the historians.

It’s a very interesting narrative device. I don’t think this story would work as a novel. Neither do I think this will at all appeal to those who cherish grimdark (though it certainly gets dark in times), people who believe all people are fundamentally evil, that lord-of-the-flies crowd.

But if you are one of those Becky Chambers-loving, hopeful people who look for the positive in humanity, if you are someone who wants to read something truly ex

https://preview.redd.it/mqutwzk947381.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=181e55adb7306fadbd9a1b29eb089d0280ce3cd5

"Emptiness awaits those who do not love,

While pain is promised to those who do.

Of the two I know not which I'd choose,

But of the three I'd choose to be with you."

The question came up when I was translating the scene in the Metamorphoses Book 1 when Ovid lists all the hunting dogs of Actaeon which I thought was pretty analogous to the list of the ships in the Iliad and was pretty funny which got me wondering, does Ovid parody many other scenes from epic poetry in the rest of the Metamorphoses.

Talking with some of my friends about Lord of the Rings recently, apparently they found it "disruptive" to the pacing and "jarring" as a modern reader when there are random poetry or song breaks throughout the middle of their story. But, perhaps strangely, I always love those parts in my books!

What are some modern fantasy novels which have good poetry/song sections, or epigraphs in them?

I'd equally be interested in a modern fantasy novel written entirely in meter, as a narrative poem. I've read things like the Odyssey and the Iliad and other older epics, or else plan to (I haven't picked up Paradise Lost or Divine Comedy yet for example), but I haven't heard of any 20th century or younger narrative poetry fantasies.

Some novels I remember enjoying off the top of my head which contain poetry or song are LotR of course, Gormenghast (I was sad it didn't have more poetry sections), Memory Sorrow and Thorn, and Malazan's epigraphs. I can't think of any modern fantasy written entirely as poetry, but I'd be happy to be shown otherwise. :)

The only stipulation is that I'd prefer a cohesive narrative containing poetry or in meter, along the lines of LotR or old epic poems- I don't hate individual poems or collections, but they always tickle me without leaving me satisified if they're not tying into or being one big story (I struggle the same way with short stories).

Being a new reader of ancient Greek philosophy, I find myself fascinated by how Plato puts into the mouths of his characters proverbs or quotes that come from either the Illiad or the Odyssey. It is hard not to have the impression that Homer's works were seen as authoritative in some way. What kind of repute did the blind poet's works enjoy in Antiquity, or at least in the era in which Plato lived?

Note: resubmitted due to a typo in the title.

I'm aware that the Trojan War may or may not have actually happened, but the Persian Wars seem like a much better candidate for myth making than a single siege. Does it have something to do with the practice of recording history really finding its feet around the same time?

I have been re-reading Gilgamesh the past couple of days and want to embrace the out loud tradition. Does anyone know of resources to help develop a narrative style? Not sure I am wording this the best but right now when I read it I sound kinda choppy, like I am emphasizing at the wrong parts and it's messing up the meter and flow of the poem. Some day I hope to be able to perform for friends over a campfire like days of old. Thanks in advance and happy reading!