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The Odyssey
The Odyssey | Homer
The Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of every man's journey through life. In the myths and legends that are retold here, renowned translator Robert Fagles has captured the energy and poetry of Homer's original in a bold, contemporary idiom and given us an edition of The Odyssey to read aloud, to savor, and to treasure for its sheer lyrical mastery. This is an edition to delight both the classicist and the general reader, and to captivate a new generation of Homer's students.
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mariaku21
The Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

Book no.11 of the year!
I've read a different version of Homer's work but I was intrigued by this one and I have to say that I do love Wilson's translation of this epic poem.
Her use of modern language and choice of iambic pentameter for her translation felt new and contemporary and it was easier to read and visualize for me. This alone was a challenge as she managed to keep the same number of verses from the original Greek! Kudos Wilson 🎉🎉

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Susanita
Odyssey | Homer
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Either Genesis or Homer‘s Odyssey (the real one)
#sundayfunday

Leniverse Same. Unless the Iliad was earlier. Wait... where does Gilgamesh fall on the timeline? 😂 3w
Susanita @Leniverse I haven‘t read Gilgamesh 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3w
Leniverse It was compulsory reading in uni. Not that I remember much of it. Just checked and it's considered the oldest. Sometime between 2100-1400 BCE 3w
BookmarkTavern I still need to read the Odyssey! Thanks for posting! 3w
Susanita @BookmarkTavern I had to read it for English class. Senior year I think? 3w
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BC_Dittemore
The Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

First time reading The Odyssey (I only bought this set like 15 years ago 🙄). I guess I always felt intimidated by it; oddly a 500 page poem sounds like more work than a 500 page novel. But Fagles‘ translation is quite accessible, tending toward prose over verse, which I‘m sure made a daunting task not so daunting.

Still, what can one say that hasn‘t already been said? It‘s The Odyssey and it‘s worth the effort.

dabbe Fagles also translated THE ILIAD, and I was able to finally be able to read all of it and understand it! 🤩🤩🤩 6mo
BC_Dittemore @dabbe I have that one too. I will probably start it next month after I get through my spooky season reads🎃. I know I technically read them out of order but… I had my reasons. 6mo
dabbe @BC_Dittemore I think they both stand separately regardless of which one was written first. I have to admit, I prefer Odysseus over Achilles. 🤩 6mo
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Roary47
The Odyssey | Homer
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Well, I didn‘t read except for audio and a chapter during my oldest‘s cheer practice. So I‘m doing a lot of catch up today. Officially, caught up on Serial reads. Hopefully, I can get more of my reading goals caught up by this evening. #JubilantJuly @Andrew65

Andrew65 These are great ways to read some of the classics. 8mo
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kelli7990
The Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

Here‘s my review for another book I just finished reading.

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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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TuesdayReviews
The Odyssey | Homer
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Classic Christmas reading

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stevenngo18
Mehso-so

This book was midtier

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vjay
The Odyssey | Homer
Mehso-so

Good book! Great tell of events in every chapter.

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CohenReads
The Odyssey | Homer
Mehso-so

Translated by Emily Wilson

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Roary47
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So my July #roll100 books are ready to go… sort of. I found out that the two on the left are the third books in their series so I‘ve actually got their first books ready to go. 😅 Plus I finally get to read The Odyssey! Sweet! @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper 👍👍 2y
dylanisreading Out of curiosity, what is #roll100? 2y
Roary47 @dylanisreading at the beginning of the year we write down 100 books we would like to get to within that year. Our host @PuddleJumper then rolls numbers for us each month. The number that is selected corresponds to one of your 100 that you listed in numerical order. 2y
dylanisreading @Roary47 Sounds fun! Thank you for explaining. 2y
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Madelpadel
The Odyssey | Homer
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"For nothing could be better than when two love in one house, their minds in harmony, husband and wife. Their enamora are jealous, their friends delighted, and they have great honor."

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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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alanholland
The Odyssey | Homer

This is an allusion to the Trojan War, which the Greeks waged against the Trojans following Paris of Troy's abduction of Helen. This is an allusion to Helios, the Greek god of the sun.

TheMrsShaw Don't forget to include the quote you're talking about. Because an entire book can't be an allusion. The title can be, or a quote, but not the entire work.

2y
4 likes1 comment
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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ravenlee
Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

I‘m a longtime fan, so it‘s no surprise I enjoyed this. Wilson does a great job maintaining the feel of the poetry using accessible language. I recommend this edition - and the 91 pages of introductory material is pretty awesome, too.
#roll100 #24 @PuddleJumper

PuddleJumper Sounds really interesting! 2y
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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ravenlee
Odyssey | Homer
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Whew, made it! 91 pages of introduction and translator‘s notes! What a cool closing paragraph, though. And it gets even better - the next section has four really cool maps! Yes, four!

But for now I‘m setting it aside and working on #1619ProjectRead - which I believe is my last weekly read to catch up on. Then back to this one (or, equally likely, on to something shiny).

rwmg Who is the translator?
2y
ravenlee @rwmg this edition is translated by Emily Wilson. 2y
rwmg Ah, thank you 2y
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ravenlee
Odyssey | Homer
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I‘ve (over)committed to some buddy reads/challenges, but I didn‘t set a numeric goal. I just want to enjoy my reading.

Persistence

I am, though I‘m still wading through the introduction and translator‘s notes. It‘s taking me back to undergrad with my favorite professor of all time, and my favorite class of his.

#ThoughtfulThursday @MoonWitch94 thanks for the tag @RaeLovesToRead

Tagging

RaeLovesToRead I've also totally overcommitted 😁 I just get excited at all the new challenges! 2y
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ravenlee
Odyssey | Homer
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Who started this edition without realizing the introduction and translator‘s notes are 100 pages long? That would be me. Don‘t get me wrong; I‘m finding it all fascinating so far (I am a big Odyssey nerd), it‘s just more than I expected. I should have, though, as the whole thing is massive.
#Roll100 #24

RaeLovesToRead Nice edition! 2y
ravenlee @RaeLovesToRead thanks! I have a collection of Odyssey translations - I think six so far, including a graphic novel version. I‘ve only read two so far, though. 2y
rabbitprincess I have that edition too! 2y
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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Thus spoke Athene, and Odysseus obeyed her gladly. Then Athene, in the form and with the voice of Mentor, presently made a covenant of peace between the two parties.
#TheOdyssey #Homer #lastline #closingline #book #books #bookhoarder #bookhoarders #bookhaul #bookhauler #bookholic #bookholics #bookheaven #bookjunkie #bookjunkies #bookjunky #bookjacket #bookjackets #bookjacketdesign #bookjacketdesigner #Classics #Fiction #Poetry #Mythology 💟💟💟💟

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thepostman96
The Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

I absolutely loved this translation of The Odyssey. Emily Wilson did such a good job modernizing the language while still retaining some lyricism by writing the verses in iambic pentameter. I also appreciate that she broke free from the language commonly used in past translations that was influenced by sexism and colonialism. The introduction and note at the beginning were fascinating. Just everything was overall enjoyable and easy to read. 4⭐️

readingjedi This sounds like a translation I need to read. 3y
thepostman96 @readingjedi This will now be the only translation I will recommend. I really appreciated that Wilson made the language accessible instead of stuffy and pretentious so that anyone can enjoy it. 3y
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literateBee

I've read it twice so far. I only wish I'd read it first when I was much younger.

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pr.alm
The Odyssey | Homer
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“Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier;
I have seen worse sights than this.”

Gissy That phrase goes with you. 👌As I see you are in the armed forces🤗 3y
pr.alm @Gissy thank you!! And I see you enjoy running.. that‘s awesome! I ran a half marathon yesterday 😅 3y
Gissy @pr.alm Congratulations in that half marathon! I always ask myself what I‘m doing when I am in that start line,, but then everything is forgotten at the finishing line😊The worst part is the training. We are in that process right now. Today we did farleks, tomorrow 7 miles, Thursday-hills (14 times running that hill) and Saturday 12 miles😅But I‘m not a fast runner, I‘m just a finisher because...Run is cheaper than therapy😃 3y
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sherri
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1. Athena
2. Currently reading The Odyssey for the first time! Most recent before that was an ARC of Circe by Madeline Miller.

@TheSpineView @Bette #TwoForTuesday but on a Wednesday.

TheSpineView Loved Circe! Thanks for playing! 3y
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sherri
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Never read this in school. Now, many years later, I have been getting hints from the universe to give it a try. When I saw this beautiful edition on a poetry table right next to the door upon walking into my local bookshop, I took it as a final sign and brought it home with me. Loving it so far from just the introduction and very beginning passages.

SamAnne I‘ve read before but I really want to read this translation. This year for sure! 3y
sherri @SamAnne So far, this translation is easy to understand. It also has maps in the front and summaries, notes, and glossary of names and places in the back. Very helpful! 3y
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nightvalelibrarian
The Odyssey | Homer
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a new friend for my antiques collection 🥰

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WanderingBookaneer
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Buchbeeg 😆 3y
sarahbarnes 😂😂😂 3y
Caroline2 😆 3y
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Addison_Reads
The Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

#AmongTheGods @AkashaVampie @BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

I'm so glad I revisited these books. I think between this and The Iliad, this one is my favorite. 💚 I've always been a huge fan of anything dealing with Greek Mythology and rereading this just made all the classic stories so vivid in my mind.

AkashaVampie yay!!! glad u are liking it! 3y
Becker I love this pair as well. ❤️ 3y
SamAnne I‘m planning a reread of Iliad and Odyssey this year. ReAlly looking forward to Caroline Alexander‘s translation of the Iliad. 3y
44 likes4 comments
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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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vivastory
Odyssey | Homer
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Litsy, I need your help! I was listening to a lit podcast about Homer's epics on my drive home. I have read both of them but it has been several years & now I have an overwhelming desire to reread them. When it comes to epics, translation matters. A LOT. I read & loved the Christopher Logue cinematic translation adaptations of Iliad which have now been collected under one volume titled War Music, Simon Armitage's versions for BBC Radio👇

vivastory & Robert Fagle's faithful yet energetic versions. What are your recommendations? I am very curious about Emily Wilson, but I am planning on also rereading the Iliad & as she only translated Odyssey it would be a bit jarring to read them back to back by 2 diff. translators. I noticed that there's a new Peter Green translation which has me very curious as well. Please tell me your opinion! Please note that I am not opposed to rereading (edited) 3y
vivastory a translation that I have previously read. However, when it comes to The Iliad & The Odyssey it is very rare for a translator to tackle only one. I don't know if Wilson currently has plans to tackle Iliad, but I'd be surprised if she didn't. Although tbf Christopher Logue never tackled Odyssey. Still, vast majority of Homer translators eventually translate both. 3y
readordierachel I can't speak to any other translations, as I've only read Wilson's Odyssey, but I did read that she's working on the Iliad. No idea how far along that is. 3y
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vivastory @readordierachel Did you like it? I just looked at a sample online 3y
Tamra I‘ve read the Pinsky, but not Wilson‘s. I‘d like to though. 3y
vivastory @Tamra Pinsky's Inferno is def one of my fave translations of an epic 👍 3y
readordierachel I liked it a lot. She uses modern language and includes a fascinating note about the how and why of her choices. It made it very interesting and accessible, I thought. 3y
vivastory @readordierachel I will def keep it in mind. Thanks for the info! 3y
Tamra @vivastory I need to give that translation a go! 3y
batsy I wish I could help, but I've only read The Odyssey in Fagles' translation (and loved it). I'm looking forward to tackling the Wilson. 3y
vivastory @batsy I decided on Caroline Alexander's transaction for The Iliad & Stephen Mitchell's for The Odyssey. Once Wilson completes Iliad I will probably read her versions back to back. 3y
vivastory @batsy *translation 3y
batsy @vivastory Nice! I have Alexander's translation of the Iliad that I want to get to, as well. I meant to do a "women's translation project" of both and read Wilson's Odyssey and Alexander's Iliad back to back. Hopefully this year ?? 3y
vivastory @batsy That'd be really interesting comparison! I read a few pages of the Alexander & it looks fantastic. I'm really looking forward to it. 3y
LeahBergen I did a bunch of Classics courses in university and I read (and loved) both The Iliad and The Odyssey in the (very old school) Richmond Lattimore translations. As far as translations go, they are supposedly the closest to the original in meter. But you may be looking for a more modern interpretation? 3y
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S.Web
The Odyssey | Homer
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this new translation be Emily Wilson. It was very readable. There was also a very helpful introduction that puts the Odyssey into context of both Ancient Greece and modern classical studies.

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Hestapleton
The Odyssey | Homer
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Mehso-so

I didn‘t LOVE this, mostly because classical lit isn‘t my thing, but the audio was pretty enjoyable. I really appreciated Wilson‘s thorough introduction and translator‘s note as it gave me a way to ground myself and have things to look for in this SUPER long poem. Glad I read it, but probably wouldn‘t pick it up again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
+21 for #teamreadnosedreindeer and my last book for #readharder20 the first year I finished the challenge!!

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WellReadCatLady
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Happy thanksgiving! Winding down the festive day with a tea latte and a classic.

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VioletMoonBooks
The Odyssey | Homer
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Settings
The Odyssey | Homer
Pickpick

Read excerpts of this in high school - wrongly expected Odysseus's journey to be the bulk of it. Lots of the famous stories are not given very many lines.

Incredible stories - much more interesting imo than The Iliad even though I think the Iliad has better characters.

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allusory
The Odyssey | Homer
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Getting some help from Oliver. #deweys24hrreadathon #readathon #catsoflitsy

Leftcoastzen 😻 3y
CoverToCoverGirl 🤩😻 3y
13 likes2 comments
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allusory
The Odyssey | Homer
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Working my way through Emily Wilson‘s translation of The Odyssey during #deweys24hrreadathon! #readathon