The Odyssey

In high school and college, I had been assigned extracts from Homer, translated in stiff and stuffy styles. I was not impressed. I did not pursue his books further further until I read about this new translation by Emily Wilson. It was worth the wait. Wilson’s text reads well while retaining a poetic style in translation, a major achievement in itself. Even better, she does so while avoiding the masculine-centered assumptions of other translators. This does not mean changing Homer, who wrote in and about a patriarchal world, but instead trying to see the women as Homer did, and not as a Victorian Englishman would. (I exaggerate, but you get the idea.) You can see Wilson’s perspectives in her extensive introduction, most of which you can see in Amazon’s “Look Inside!” feature. Unfortunately, you can’t preview her “Translator’s Note,” which explains her decisions about style and other matters. The introduction includes passages from her translation, so read those and see what you think. I read the book on Kindle, and it worked well as an epic narrative. Some reviewers object to Wilson’s style because they don’t like how it sounds when read aloud. Sample some excerpts on the page and out loud and see what works for you. Wilson’s translation is grammatically simpler than those in the critical reviewers’ preferred translations, so try comparing those. The style feels somewhat like a Germanic epic to me, which suggests connections to a shared Proto Indo-European style lost to history. It’s possible that the critical reviewers prefer stuffy translations, and they may prefer them as a matter of English style or as a matter of Homeric Greek (which I don’t read). Read some of the three-star reviews before making a decision. I certainly found this translation a great read.

I read this last month and found it the most readable version/translation I have ever approached. I noticed so many differences! If you have ever read the Odyssey, or if you haven’t, pick THIS ONE up and read it now. You will not regret doing so.

I didn’t read this in school, but I don’t think I would have appreciated it as much as I do now. The theme of “Xenia” — the love of the stranger stood out to me as one of the greatest themes of the story. I think that this is one of the reasons the story of Odysseus has been passed down through the ages.

This modern translation of a great epic pulsates with tension to its bitter bloody end, keeping the reader enthralled. The translation from ancient Greek strips all verbosity and in economical verses moves the story along swiftly, vividly bringing to life the story of Odysseus and the Bronze Age coastal world he lived in. It limns a portrait of Odysseus as a man determined to get home to his beloved wife and kingdom using only his wits, shrewdness, courage and resourcefulness. The last few chapters that culminate in a horrendous bloodbath feature an equally strong, courageous and shrewd Penelope and his son Telemachus.

Despite being classic literature, which I once thought was only enjoyed by elitist academics, I found it to be really interesting even exciting. Wilson's translation doesn't rely on using 18th-century language in a misguided attempt to capture a feeling of antiquity, which really helps. The book starts with a lenghty but interesting discussion of the how and why of her translation as well as sharing many insights into the nature and characteristics of the gods and people portrayed. If you were expecting a dull and boring story think again.

It is a very intriguing story of the Man / God like ‘Odysseus’. His success’s and failures along his journey to war and then returning to his home.

An interesting tale but not edifying.

I only read this in prep for the movie. I don’t think I would have ever enjoyed the regular story. I hated it when I originally read it, granted it was for school and I was a freshman in HS. (I’m going to my freshman year of college next year) Books aren’t my thing but I enjoyed this

Lo estoy leyendo actualmente y me parece formidable. La traducción de Emily Wilson es muy buena y amena.

Thank you gods and Wilson for this amazing book !! If not for this translation I wouldn't have lasted the first round in the battle of reading homer!

Das beste an diesem Buch sind aus meiner Sicht die Hintergrundinformationen der Autorin (Übersetzerin) zur Entstehung der Geschichte, div. Hinweisen warum sie welches Wort auf eine bestimmte Art übersetzt hat, etc.

Très intéressante traduction en anglais de l'Odyssée. Je ne la trouve pas du tout féministe comme cela a été rapporté. Cette traduction a le mérite de respecter l'écriture en vers du poème original. Une très longue introduction explique les choix faits par la traductrice, c'est toujours intéressant. Le plus marquant La lecture est assez agréable.

A wonderful translation. Totally gripping.