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Original poster

MN Readalong : Homer’s The Odyssey in 2026

280 replies

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 31/12/2025 14:16

Proposing 2 chapters a month so for January

  1. Athene Visits Telemachus
  2. The Debate In Ithaca

Convening at the end of each month

Everyone welcome!

OP posts:
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8
ShackletonSailingSouth · 31/01/2026 11:44

I've really enjoyed coming back to the Odyssey and have loved Wilson's translation. A couple of things struck me.
One is how much ground Homer covers in the first few lines of the poem - giving us a quick summary of Odysseus's situation and then summarising the fate of Agamemnon - before zooming in on Telemachus back at Ithaca. It reminds me of something Emily Wilson said on the excellent zoom event someone posted here, which is that just because the epic is old, it doesn't mean it is unsophisticated. Starting the poem like this (and, spoiler, not having Odysseus appear in person for quite a while yet) is a deliberate decision by the poet.

Second, Telemachus comes across so young and immature! He must be at least 19/20 (not sure if the epic ever tells us exactly) but seems a lot younger.
Maybe that's why he says that about his mother, I'm not sure. However, in contrast to the suitors, when Athene arrives he does correctly follow the rules of Xenia ( guest-friendship) which is a theme throughout the book.
Looking forward to hearing others' views.

SheilaFentiman · 31/01/2026 11:32

I need to go back and read the intro.

Can’t believe one of the first things Telemachus says to a “stranger” is that his mum might have put it about and he might not be Odysseus’s son. Ungrateful wretch.

I agree the translation was easy to follow. Enjoyed Claire Danes reading to me and also read the 2 books on Kindle.

(Off topic - @ShackletonSailingSouth i watched the documentary about finding your boat Endurance last night, it was excellent- I cried!)

ÚlldemoShúl · 31/01/2026 11:27

I loved Wilson’s intro- how she sees Odysseus not as a hero entirely which I completely agree with. Her translation is easy to follow but loses some of the majesty and drama of some of the earlier translations I’ve read (bits of Rieu, all of Fagles) With The Iliad Lattimore worked best for me. I would love to try and get his translation of The Odyssey (assuming there is one)

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 31/01/2026 11:24

Morning ! I got on well with the Wilson for this! Thought it was very straightforward

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 31/01/2026 08:10

Morning Odysseyians! Who wants to join me in giving Telemachus a Paddington Hard Stare?

ÚlldemoShúl · 30/01/2026 20:07

I did two- looking forward to the chat tomorrow

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/01/2026 17:41

I’ve listened to the Wilson, first two, haven’t touched the Rieu

OP posts:
RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 30/01/2026 17:38

Oh thank goodness, ive only read two as well 😀

SheilaFentiman · 30/01/2026 17:33

Two it is 😀

(I have read 2)

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/01/2026 17:32

Yes you’re quite right @RufustheFactuaIReindeer sorry it’s a bit confused

OP posts:
RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 30/01/2026 17:18

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/01/2026 17:39

Hmm we seem split, maybe keep the discussion to two each month but people are welcome to read ahead

This is what you said earlier

RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 30/01/2026 17:17

Thought it was 2

there did not seem to be a definite for 4,

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/01/2026 16:58

I only did 2, I forgot! I can do 2 more before tomorrow just in case!!

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 30/01/2026 13:36

I am confused, are we doing 4 or 2 books?

JustPlainStanfreyPock · 30/01/2026 13:27

Hi, I've only managed 3 and a half books and have a workshop all day tomorrow (get those excuses in!) so will catch up with you when I can & look forward to sharing your collective wisdom.

RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 30/01/2026 11:16

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/01/2026 11:12

Bumping just to remind everyone that it’s discussion day tomorrow. Good that it falls on a Saturday - I might try to get every discussion day to fall on a weekend

Thats a good idea, i am enjoying this one more than the illiad 😳

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 30/01/2026 11:12

Bumping just to remind everyone that it’s discussion day tomorrow. Good that it falls on a Saturday - I might try to get every discussion day to fall on a weekend

OP posts:
Frannyisreading · 28/01/2026 22:45

I've now read the introduction and the translator's note of the Emily Wilson edition and found it enlightening and helpful. I feel more prepared now to understand the poem as a whole, to recognise the context in which it was written, and to appreciate the translation choices. I was feeling quite daunted before so this is a positive development!

DuPainDuVinDuFromage · 19/01/2026 19:12

Thanks @SheilaFentiman! Will watch the recording.

ÚlldemoShúl · 19/01/2026 18:49

Thanks @SheilaFentiman

SheilaFentiman · 19/01/2026 18:42

tumbletoast · 19/01/2026 17:56

Good find.

Show quote history

Sometimes the algorithm Knows Its Stuff!

TheTreeTinBow · 19/01/2026 18:26

I’m in. Thanks

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 19/01/2026 18:03

Thanks @SheilaFentiman

OP posts:
tumbletoast · 19/01/2026 17:56

SheilaFentiman · 19/01/2026 15:00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sea-of-homer-live-conversation-with-emily-wilson-tickets-1980494624736?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

Free, Friday evening. Watch live or register for recording.

Good find.

ShackletonSailingSouth · 19/01/2026 17:13

SheilaFentiman · 19/01/2026 15:00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sea-of-homer-live-conversation-with-emily-wilson-tickets-1980494624736?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

Free, Friday evening. Watch live or register for recording.

Looks great, thank you!

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