I read this for the first time last year and it far exceeded my expectations. Some tips for reading - use something with footnotes to explain the copious liter

I read this for the first time last year and it far exceeded my expectations. Some tips for reading - use something with footnotes to explain the copious literary references to earlier works - but also don’t get hung up on the references, they’re not crucial to the story - do try to get into the rhythm of the iambic pentameter, it really makes some of the poetic phrases shine Even if you’re familiar with the traditional Genesis story, there will be tons of surprises, both amusing (ex. the angels inventing artillery in their war on heaven) and poignant (ex. Adam and Eve’s briefly contemplating suicide rather than bear children into a cursed world)