MN Readalong : Homer’s The Odyssey in 2026

I've listened to my two chapters (books) now. I'll be honest, it didn't sound particularly poetic to me. I was expecting it to be Shakespearean somehow. Anyway, enjoyed the story so far.

Look forward to discussing it.

Emily Wilson has used a different rhythm to the original (because the rhythm that works in Greek doesn't work very well in English) but with the intention of being true to the experience of the original.

I do love the care and detail she puts into her translations.

Finally broke the seal on the audiobook (Claire Danes). Halfway through Chapter one ...

Not having looked at the actual print, am I correct in that it's a very "tight" translation ? There seems to be a very subtle rhythm ...

But very much enjoying it. 😀

Well as a result of listening to "Troy" I discovered i had "Odyssey" in my queue (a long way down).

I think I'll start the CD version so as not to confuse anyone. Especially myself. 😄

Stephen Fry hasn't done a translation AFAIK - he has written about the events/myths

Argh - behind already (have too many podcasts to catch up on).

Can anyone ahead of me comment on whether the Stephen Fry version is suitable ? I enjoyed Troy. However I also nabbed the Claire Danes version ... which to start ?

May I join, I have just reserved the Emily Wilson version from my local library. Hopefully it will come in soon.

Hi, I saw you message last night but I was already in bed, and that book is at the bottom of a dusty stack! I just checked and it's the same as my Odyssey, both are by Fagles. I'll have a think about a different edition, thanks!

Out of curiosity, which translation of The Iliad did you try? Emily Wilson has published her translation too now, which made me try it as I loved her translation of The Odyssey (and her introduction explaining the context and meanings).

Her introduction and translator's notes really helped me to understand and appreciate what I was reading. It is worth giving them the time.

The Iliad is really a poem about grief. If you're in the right headspace and know the context it can be both beautiful and cathartic.

I'd be curious to know what pace others are reading to, or if you're sticking to the 2 books a month. I've never done a readalong before.

I finally sat down to read the 2 books this evening. (Mental note to Google why they are called "books")

I didn't remember how gripping it is from the start. Maybe it's because my mind isn't meandering wondering how this or that bit is relevant, I can be quite a naive reader. Anyway, I'm back in love with Athena, and Penelope, and with a newfound respect for Telemachus!

I won't have time to read for the next 2 or 3 nights, but I know I'm not going to want to wait for February to read the next two books. I'm grateful though to be reunited with this story and will follow the thread to see how we all get on!

Just got my Emily Wilson edition and it has deckled edges! I was surprised and pleased by this detail. It makes it feel like an artefact that's been passed down over the years.

Thanks @EineReiseDurchDieZeit ! I'm no expert though! I did a classics undergrad degree and studied the Odyssey with a very inspiring tutor, but that was very far back in the mists of time.

@Onceuponasunflower we have the Armitage Odyssey as well! Just so you know, it's not actually a direct translation of Homer. It's an adaptation/retelling/reimagining of the story: a literary work and a piece of poetry in its own right. I would say it's very much worth reading, but it's much shorter than the original and leaves out a lot of great scenes.

The Rieu translation is pretty heavy. Richmond Lattimore’s translation is my favourite

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit and everyone interested, this version is available free, online (go to page 36 for main text, if you want to skip the intro)

Ooh I didn't know Simon Armitage did an Odyssey! I already have the Fagles and Wilson so probably shouldn't get another!

That's next! I'm watching them in order.

@dudsville Voyager would be more in keeping with the Odyssey theme 😊

I'm hopefully ready to start today. The thing that I had to finish was Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, just to lower the bar a bit. And the only reason I say "hopefully" is because I return to work today after quite an extended holiday period. Maybe thinking of Odysseus's plights will will boost me along 😂

That's interesting@cassandre!

I'm in, I have Simon Armitage's verse translation. I also have my childhood copy of Tony Robinson's Odysseus, does anyone remember that? 😄

I'm interested in translation theory so it's fascinating to join a group reading a few different translations.

@cassandre- thanks for the information about the different translations. That’s really helpful in choosing one (I’ve gone for the Emily Wilson one as I liked the sound of a verse translation).