MN Readalong : Homer’s The Odyssey in 2026

[EineReiseDurchDieZeit]

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!

We are in the same boat with the Irish Catholic upbringing so I’m glad to hear that helps!

I'm in but thought it was next weekend. Will try and read some tomorrow!

Next weekend is May! @Stowickthevast

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit I just needed a break from the Russians! (the Tsar has abdicated - spoilers - so I’m nearing the end). I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how readable the old Rieu translation is. I may get the Emily Wilson version to compare.

Having read this last year I’m just dipping back in each time there is a thread deadline. I liked books 8 and 9 - a demonstration of what guest-friendship should look like and how hosting should be done (in comparison with what we know is happening at Odysseus’ home). Then we have the story of Aphrodite and Ares, which is again a contrast with Odysseus’ circumstances but this time it’s showing us how virtuous Penelope is despite her husband’s long absence - more faithful than a goddess. And finally we get to the beginning of the real meat of the story - what happened to Odysseus after Troy fell, and before we met him on Calypso’s island?

Thanks for that summary @DuPainDuVinDuFromage

Thanks @EineReiseDurchDieZeit ! I noticed I’ve referred to the wrong books - should be 7 and 8, as per the timetable 😆 so no spoilers!

Really enjoyed book 7-8 and am loving the Wilson translation, it really sparkles. The descriptions of the palace at Phaeacia are lovely, all the gold and silver and the springs and orchards. Obviously Arete being married to her uncle is gross and disturbing but this did happen in real life in the ancient world.
I don't know if anyone has any views on Odysseus' reception at the palace. He sits down among the ashes ( a gesture of mourning) and it seems odd that no-one speaks to him right away or asks for his name, since I thought exchanging names was a key element of Xenia. probably just the dramatic irony of not revealing who he is until after Demodocus has sung about him. And also riffing on the theme of him being "nobody" that we'll hear about later.
Parts of book 8 are a bit of a slog, the games are always tedious for me in Greek epic, I guess the ancient audience was getting something out of this. The story of Ares and Aphrodite is good value and I imagine was a huge crowd pleaser at the time. And the ending is great, the song about the Trojan horse. Really interesting that we get one of the few extended similes here ( compared to the Iliad which has so many) which describes Odysseus weeping like a woman watching her husband die after a battle injury, and being taken away into slavery. I'd forgotten about this. What is going on here? This fate is exactly what Odysseus and the other Greeks inflicted on the women of Troy! What are your thoughts @EineReiseDurchDieZeit @RomanMum?

I’m a bit frustrated @ShackletonSailingSouth I keep waiting for it to get going there’s been a lot of build up

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit never fear, we'll be hearing all about the Cyclops and Sirens before long!

Wilson covers this passage, and the way it describes exactly what he did in Tory, in the introduction. I'm afraid i can't remember exactly what she says about it but I remember it was interesting!

I do find it odd that on some islands Odysseus expects guest friendship, while on others he just sacks the place and takes the women as slaves (I remember this being a throwaway couplet about one place he visited, but might be in a later book as I've read ahead). Is it just he seems some as more useful to him through guest friendship, and others through sacking?

The story of Ares and Aphrodite must have been well-known enough at the time that it could be performed publicly and audiences would follow it. I’ve heard it before: I don’t know if it appears in different sources or whether all retellings originated from The Odyssey.

Thanks @AndresyFiorella I must read the intro, thanks for the reminder! Yes that rings a bell athat Odysseus does go and sack a place instead of expecting xenia. I don't know the answer but yours sounds plausible. Are we meant to be fully with Odysseus no matter what or are we meant to feel critical of him? He maanaged to get all his men killed for a start!

@EineReiseDurchDieZeit what date for books 9-10?

30th May!

I've finally caught up. Not a great deal of action but a lot of hospitality, Greek life - games, baths and gifts - and poets. It's interesting how praised the poet is and Odysseus gives him his best meat. Also how emotional Odysseus gets, I guess most of the Greeks are dead now.

Looking forward to the action hotting up on the next book, it's the one I did for Greek GCSE so may have to dig it out and see if I can still read any of it!

I'm also going to try and read the Iliad this month as I'm doing The Son of Nobody, Yann Martel's new book, which is set in Troy for a book club read. Not sure if I'll manage it but am planning to read a chapter a day.

Just caught up.

I did notice that Athena used the Mist to get Odysseus into the city - the Mist gets mentioned a lot in the Percy Jackson books.

New book on translation by Emily Wilson reviewed in the Guardian, thought of you all!

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2026/may/26/crossing-the-wine-dark-sea-by-emily-wilson-review-a-masterclass-in-translation

Just a reminder that Saturday is approaching. I’m actually busy on Saturday so I probably won’t post. Do feel free to discuss in my absence

Thank you @BookEngine

@BookEngine that looks really interesting, thanks. Another one for the list!
I'm really enjoying books 9-10, looking forward to hearing people's thoughts.

Just finished book 10... we're really getting into the proper adventure now. As mentioned up thread, I did book 9 at school for Greek GCSE. I think it's one of the more famous stories showing Odysseus as cunning but also rather foolish for telling Polyphemus his name as he left, which then enrages Poseidon.
Book 10 was newer to me, I didn't know that all the ships were lost to the man-eating giants. I also quite liked the jealousy of the men releasing the "treasure" which turns out to be the wind. Was unsure why Aeolus was quite so annoyed with him when he came back, but maybe just thought he'd wasted his hospitality.
Circe's story is more familiar. Odysseus again gets to get his end away for a year on his way home. Will Eurylochus appear again? He was quite strong minded but then seemed to be punished by Odysseus. And poor Eleanor, living my fear every time I go up to our loft!

Looking forward to hearing everyone else's thoughts, and our upcoming trip to the underworld.

These two chapters were certainly action packed, and more familiar stories. One thing that shocked me was the description of Polyphemus eating Odysseus’ men – graphic stuff. And yes, a lapse of common sense on Odysseus’ part in telling Polyphemus his name – what was he thinking, surely he would have some idea of the consequences of bragging to his defeated foe? I guess for the plot the Cyclops had to know in order to fulfil his prophesy, but would he have figured that out when Odysseus blinded him in the first place? Again, is there more Cyclops backstory that has not survived? Perhaps the legend of the prophesy was independently known about so that readers/listeners would be aware of this and join the stories together?

Regarding the discussion on another thread about colours I note that when the Cyclops threw a rock at Odysseus when he was escaping it missed the “blue-painted ship”. I wonder if this is poetic license from the translator.

I’d half forgotten about some of the other people Odysseus meets, the Lotus-Eaters and Aeolians. There was also a passing mention of mass incest among the luxuriant Aeolian royalty, hmm. Then back to familiar territory with Circe and the pigs. Looking forward to The Book of the Dead next time – not the Egyptian version. I vaguely remember the next part, tissues at the ready.

So, I am really struggling. I think it’s because I find Clare Danes narration quite monotone/expressionless

Maybe go back to the written text @EineReiseDurchDieZeit? I’m starting again this week to coincide with my reading of Ulysses with my book group so will cross over with you guys at some stage