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Original poster

MN Readalong : Homer’s The Odyssey in 2026

292 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
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!

ÚlldemoShúl · 15/01/2026 21:53

I’ve listened to the two books now. Looking forward to the discussion at the end of the month- especially about translations.

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 14/01/2026 20:08

I’ve also done the intro and translators note of the Wilson @ÚlldemoShúl I have done the first two books, but I want to do the Rieu as well

OP posts:
PermanentTemporary · 14/01/2026 20:01

Joining a bit late to the party, I have this gathering dust on my TBR pile.

ÚlldemoShúl · 14/01/2026 19:56

I’ve listened to the introduction and translator’s note in the Emily Wilson. Really gel with Emily Wilson’s views on The Odyssey and Odysseus himself. (I’ve read the Fagles translation before). Looking forward to getting into the poem itself this week.

rivierliedje · 14/01/2026 18:05

May I join? We have the Emily Wison somewhere (moved recently) which i can dig out. Should be able to keep up with two books per month

tumbletoast · 13/01/2026 12:51

JustPlainStanfreyPock · 13/01/2026 12:31

I'll try 4, but it might be a bit much for my senior brain to hang on to all the detail for discussion.
Have now found my Penguin Classics version and the chapters we read in Greek at school are helpfully circled in pencil, 7, 11 and 12!
I also remember enjoying reading about how the recurring phrases showed the oral origin of the stories eg the wine-dark sea etc.

Looking forward to the discussion!

Oh yes and the epithets to help you keep track of who's who.

JustPlainStanfreyPock · 13/01/2026 12:31

I'll try 4, but it might be a bit much for my senior brain to hang on to all the detail for discussion.
Have now found my Penguin Classics version and the chapters we read in Greek at school are helpfully circled in pencil, 7, 11 and 12!
I also remember enjoying reading about how the recurring phrases showed the oral origin of the stories eg the wine-dark sea etc.

Looking forward to the discussion!

andIsaid · 12/01/2026 22:29

Hello.

I would love to join.

I am a first timer - on Homer, and on participating on one of these threads.

I do lurk though.

As I have too many demands on Time, I will have to do an audio book.

I started the other day, and am captured! Confused, but captured. 😁

Thank you

RufustheFactuaIReindeer · 12/01/2026 21:45

Ive just started the illiad….i did not read the intro cos i wanted to finish the main story before starting the odyssey

i am happy to read 2 or 4

tumbletoast · 12/01/2026 20:39

Frannyisreading · 12/01/2026 16:48

I'd probably choose 2 a month personally to give time to discuss and digest but if people prefer 4 that's ok.
I'm mostly daunted by the 100 or so pages of intro in my edition!

I think the intro is worth it if you haven't read it before.

Original poster
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

OP posts:
ShackletonSailingSouth · 12/01/2026 17:16

I'd prefer to stick with 2 a month as well to fit in around other things and allow discussion and thought over each section.