I'm not entirely sure how to review it, but I wanted to mention some things about this book, hence the post in this forum. The writing style was similar to the other play of Teevan's that I read, and yet uniquely its own. It, like Iph..., mixed a more traditional way of writing with a modern one. It lacked the idiosyncrasies of Iph..., though, but this wasn't missed - it wouldn't have fitted this work. Less of a tragedy (or, likely more accurate to the work it's based off, a tragicomedy) and more of a generic drama, it felt at times almost aimless, unable to choose what it wanted to be. This did not bother me as I wasn't expecting something as serious as a tragedy to begin with. Or maybe Teevan meant for it to also be a tragicomedy? I think that likely. I'm just not sure he succeeded. You see, the thing is, with tragicomedies it's a sensitive balance between the comic and the tragic parts, so that they do not equal themselves out. Anguish and humour. Euripides did that best. Teevan, I believe, can also do that, if he keeps the comic part casual and subtle. But this was not it, not quite. This all seems critical of the book. I enjoyed it. It was very well written. Teevan certainly has empathy for the characters, especially the female ones. Including ones most men would not consider worth their time. Just for that, I applaud him. And his writing could be lyrical, funny, invoking of images, of torment, when it needed to be. He also was very meta, on occasion, so to speak. I'm glad I picked up this book; second-hand, as it no longer seems to be in print. 8£ original price. If I could rate it, if I could decide on the amount of stars to give it, I think it'd likely be between 3.75 and 4.25. I'd call it a successful attempt. Not Euripides level, but I am starting to form some respect for Teevan also. I have one more of his books, I might have to prioritise that, then I might order his adaptation of the Bacchae. I wish he were more popular, from what I've seen, he deserves it.

Sappho fr. 96.6–14 Voigt

      Now she stands out among the Lydian women
          As the rosy-fingered <moon>,
              When once the sun has set,
      Out<s>hining all the stars; it sends its light
     Equally over the salt sea
              And to the many-flowered fields;
      The lovely <d>ew is poured out, and roses flourish
          And tender chervil
              And blooming melilot.

I liked the second chapter more than the first, which was still a treat to read due to the Sappho (and Ibycus, and Anacreon, at the beginning) (but especially Sappho). That being said, I thought most of the first chapter to have been superfluous on occasion, hence my diminished enjoyment of it. With the second chapter, I enjoyed especially the analysis of such a small detail from the homeric hymn to Demeter that I must admit I gave no further thought to it on my own - perhaps that should inspire the mindset with which I approach the remaining homeric hymns. Both chapters so far have been very informative for their size and scope, and I'm looking forward to continuing reading.

https://chs.harvard.edu/chapter/preface-13/