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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
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.

SheilaFentiman · 12/01/2026 16:59

@Frannyisreading I have skipped most of the intro

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!

dudsville · 12/01/2026 16:35

I would also be really happy to do 4 books a month, might be able to do more. I didn't know a film was coming out, off to Google!

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/01/2026 16:29

Yeah I started it because I wanted to reread before the film

OP posts:
FiveGoMadInDorset · 12/01/2026 16:28

Also happy to read 4, don’t realise there was a film coming out but good to finish it before July then

ÚlldemoShúl · 12/01/2026 16:25

I’m happy to do 2 or 4- whatever suits the majority.

CrystalSingerFan · 12/01/2026 16:15

@Onceuponasunflower

Ooh, translation theory. Bet that's interesting. I'm a Rilke fan and cannot believe how much difference the translations make to the poems.

Are peeps allowed to join in the readalong if they use one or more ancient Project Gutenberg translations? So far I've found William Cowper, 1791, (English blank verse) and Samuel Butler, 1900, (English prose). I might get my local library to order in a more up-to-date translation if necessary.

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/01/2026 16:09

I’ll wait for a consensus and see what people say

OP posts:
SheilaFentiman · 12/01/2026 15:48

I'm happy to read 4 a month

Original poster
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 12/01/2026 15:28

Stowickthevast · 12/01/2026 15:15

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I wonder if we should move at a slightly faster pace as the chapters are quite short?

do we know when the film is out?

Yes perhaps?

what does everyone think ?

4 a month?

Film is July

OP posts:
ÚlldemoShúl · 12/01/2026 15:17

I think the movie comes out in July.

Stowickthevast · 12/01/2026 15:15

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I wonder if we should move at a slightly faster pace as the chapters are quite short?

do we know when the film is out?

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