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!

Oh, and I've also heard good things about Peter Green's translation, although I haven't read that one myself.

@cassandre so cool that you know Emily Wilson! I was amazed at the work and skill that must have gone into her translation, and as you say, her introduction is great - so interesting and wide-ranging. What is the plan re. reading introductions for the readalong - do them at the end and compare notes on the intros to the different versions, or what?

@DuPainDuVinDuFromage I was in awe of her then and I'm even more in awe of her now!

I think I've posted this on mn before but you can watch Emily Wilson in conversation with Kamila Shamsie about her translation of the Odyssey on the Hay festival book club site. You have to register but it's not too onerous. I watched it live and it was a fascinating event.

www.hayfestival.com/p-22485-hay-festival-august-book-club-the-odyssey.aspx

Hello, would love to join please! I have the cloth bound edition.

Welcome newbies and @cassandre of course you can lurk ! And please set us right if we get something wrong!

@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).

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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’ve listened to the Wilson first two books on audio but stopped there. I haven’t read the Rieu yet

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.

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!

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

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 ?

@SerendipityJane I have listened to the first two books of the Clare Danes / Emily Wilson it’s very accessible

@Hoolahoophop Everyone welcome convening at the end of the month!

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