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For a 2700-year-old story, it still packs quite a punch. I was surprised at the level of emotional complexity and the engaging nature of the plot. You would think that a story involving gods and goddesses, cyclops, and sirens, and other notable fantasy figures would be hard to imagine but I found the story believable on a level beyond fact and fantasy. Human qualities like rage, jealousy, love, passion, and weakness are found in all the characters, real or imaginary. Of course, being set before the time of Christ, Christian morals are left in the dust, for the most part. Though, it turns out, welcome and kindness to poor wayfarers were considered a highly honored duty – by those who had any honor and any fear of the gods. I found it sadly ironic that sometimes the gifts of hospitality were paid for by the luckless villagers who happened to be next on the raiding list. Still, this was a fascinating look into the hearts, minds, and souls of our fellow human journeymen and women who traveled this earth long ago and saw things differently, yet much the same.
” Poets are not to blame for how things are; Zeus is; he gives to each as his will.”
And so it begins: the finest piece of historical fiction ever written. Was it truth? Was a blind poet/singer/tale spinner named Homer the author of the tale? Or was it strung together from many sources? Does it even matter? All we know is that something kept this story alive from the times of the “Hellens” [the Greeks’ name for themselves] and the “barbarians”[ anyone else] to the 21st century. It is often the introduction to poetry and Ancient History in First World classrooms, where students are confused and terrorized by the images it spins.
The story of Odysseus, his bravery, his stupidity, his cunning, his vulnerability; of Telemachus, a sin grown up without a father, simply trying to salvage any kind of life out of the shreds of his fortune the suitors haven’t eaten, stolen or used- in any way you want to take it; of Penelope, a wise but vulnerable woman in a world were voth aren’t to be trusted. Add the gods and goddesses who use them all in a huge game of chance, and that’s the daytime serial called “The Odyssey of Homer”. And thanks is a large part to a woman professor who spent years pouring over other translations, this is the most accessible translation out there.
I can’t remember when I first read/heard The Odyssey; but I do remember when it first captured me. In a class called “The Bible as Literature” in college we read both the Iliad and the Odyssey in a much more accessible form: a prose version which until probably 5 years ago was still available through Barnes and Noble publishing/ I became enamoured with the soap opera feel of the story and the morality it supported (or didn’t). That class gave me my still favorite book, and I have collected/read many riffs on it since in books like Katenzakas’ version, Fagles’translation, “Cold Mountain”, “Life of Pi”, “Graffiti Bridge “, “Ithaca”, and others including the book “Circe” from 2019.
This is a much longer review, and more personal than I am wont to right. I hope it reflects both my love of the poetry and story, and my respect for Emily Wilson. I am so glad to finally get this book to add to my collection, for the introduction and maps alone. Highly Recommended 5/5
This is supposed to be the best English translation of the timeless epic poem. As in reading The Bible, 1001 Arabian Nights or Don Quixote; The Oddysey echoes with us all as we find the origin of so many stories that we have learned of from other media. It is also a testament to the themes that humankind has faced since times immemorial: loyalty, betrayal, ambition, perseverance, faith, etc.
it was awesome
New translation by Emily Wilson brings this classic to life with accessible language in iambic pentameter. A friend recommended revisiting Homer by listening on Audible while following along in print. I’m very pleased that I followed his recommendation. It’s become my morning “story time” with my favorite cup of fine coffee.
This new translation of one of the canons of Greek mythology was a treat to read. I read most of it out loud as the poetry is amazing to hear. Ms. Wilson’s translation follows the same rhythms and structure as the original Greek. You’re probably thinking that you know this story so well, why bother reading a new version? First, once you read this, you’ll realize the truncated version we all know some details about doesn’t tell the full story. It’s really fun to reacquaint oneself with this epic tale and seeing how it originally was told. The characters are so fun to immerse in – from the mythological to the human. Sometimes the oldest tales are the best to revisit; Ms. Wilson more than proves that even the oldest tales can be engaging and entertaining to the 21st century reader. The book also includes a glossary so you don’t have to guess about how to pronounce all the Greek names.
Finally! A translation of the Odyssey that reads like a novel in iambic pentameter. I wish I had this in school so many years ago. But it’s great to go back and read the classics — nothing new under the sun!
I did a podcast ep about it! https://www.bonkersbook.com/blog/2018/8/15/episode-5-the-odyssey