Okay so I really liked the book for what it was. Something about participating in the same story as so many people across time. It’s like i am apart of something bigger. It almost felt spiritual (?) reading it.  After reading it I honestly felt so moved and just connected with history and humanity.

Also it’s so amazing to see that this is in the format of the Hero’s Journey. Like the Hero’s Journey truly is the story of humanity, the story of all people. 

Also the themes of love and friendship here are so touching. LIke no matter how much time has passed or what language, love has always been the same for all of main kind. Love and friendship are the universal language in scripted on our very  bones, it transcends time.

The fact that Enkidu is literally sculpted from clay by the gods to be his equal and friend. And how Gilgamesh mourned so fully for Enkidu, I could tell just how much he loved him. I think we have all felt love and friendship like this.

Regarding the themes around sex. I guess in ancient Mesopotamians, sex both spiritually and physically connects you with life and god. The “sacred prostitute” is not a harlot but a person able to bestow divine understanding through sex. Which I feel like the sex with Enkidu and how it gave him his humanity is so interesting. Modern western culture has such different views on sex, it was very interesting to read.

I will say in the version I read the 11th and 12th tome were a mess. And I get why some versions don’t include them. Also it was very very repetitive. Apparently there is a reason for the repetition but I did not pick up on it.

Overall, I loved this. Can’t wait to read some other translation.