Homer Reading Schedule

Beginning January 2025

Exploring Life and Literature

*Regular newsletters appear on Tuesdays. The Deep Reads Book Club newsletters appear on Fridays. You can find all the book club details at the link below.*

Deep Reads Book Club with Matthew Long

The editions I will primarily be using.

Dear friends,

This week, I am sending out the detailed reading schedule for our 2025 Deep Reads Book Club selections: Homer’s epic poems, The Iliad and The Odyssey. Last week, I provided an overview of the different translations available so you can have some idea of which one you prefer to read. This is a personal choice and is largely determined by the style that appeals to you and will make the experience enjoyable.

I will primarily work from the Fagles translation, which is widely accessible and considered one of the most readable in English. I will, at times, also use the Wilson translation, which is the most recent English translation and is considered quite exceptional. But regardless of which translation you choose, we will follow the same reading schedule and work our way through these great texts together.

The listed dates are the anticipated publication dates for the discussion article, so it is recommended that you complete the reading selection before the listed date. Of course, you are welcome to read at your own pace! Page numbers are from the Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition, translated by Robert Fagles (pictured above).

The Iliad

Week 1: An Introduction to The Iliad

Friday 3 January - optional reading pages 3 - 67

Week 2: Book 1 - The Rage of Achilles

Friday 10 January - pages 77 - 98

Week 3: Book 2 - The Great Gathering of Armies

Friday 17 January - pages 99 - 127

Week 4: Book 3 - Helen Reviews the Champions

Friday 24 January - pages 128 - 144

Week 5: Book 4 - The Truce Erupts in War

Friday 31 January - pages 145 - 163

Week 6: Book 5 - Diomedes Fights the Gods

Friday 7 February - pages 164 - 194

Week 7: Book 6 - Hector Returns to Troy

Friday 14 February - pages 195 - 213

Week 8: Book 7 - Ajax Duels with Hector

Friday 21 February - pages 214 - 230

Week 9: Book 8 - The Tide of Battle Turns

Friday 28 February - pages 231 - 250

Week 10: Book 9 - The Embassy to Achilles

Friday 7 March - pages 251 - 275

Week 11: Book 10 - Marauding Through the Night

Friday 14 March - pages 276 - 295

Week 12: Book 11 - Agamemnon’s Day of Glory

Friday 21 March - pages 296 - 324

Week 13: Book 12 - The Trojans Storm the Rampart

Friday 28 March - pages 325 - 340

Week 14: Book 13 - Battling for the Ships

Friday 4 April - pages 341 - 368

Week 15: Book 14 - Hera Outflanks Zeus

Friday 11 April - pages 369 - 386

Week 16: Book 15 - The Achaean Armies at Bay

Friday 18 April - pages 387 - 411

Week 17: Book 16 - Patroclus Fights and Dies

Friday 25 April - pages 412 - 441

Week 18: Book 17 - Menelaus’ Finest Hour

Friday 2 May - pages 442 - 466

Week 19: Book 18 - The Shield of Achilles

Friday 9 May - pages 467 - 487

Week 20: Book 19 - The Champion Arms for Battle

Friday 16 May - pages 488 - 502

Week 21: Book 20 - Olympian Gods in Arms

Friday 23 May - pages 503 - 519

Week 22: Book 21 - Achilles Fights the River

Friday 30 May - pages 520 - 540

Week 23: Book 22 - The Death of Hector

Friday 6 June - pages 541 - 558

Week 24: Book 23 - Funeral Games for Patroclus

Friday 13 June - pages 559 - 587

Week 25: Book 24 - Achilles and Priam

Friday 20 June - pages 588 - 614

Week 26: The Iliad Experience

Friday 27 June - concluding our read-through

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The Odyssey

Week 1: An Introduction to The Odyssey

Friday 4 July - optional reading pages 3 - 64

Week 2: Book 1 - Athena Inspires the Prince

Friday 11 July - pages 77 - 92

Week 3: Book 2 - Telemachus Sets Sail

Friday 18 July - pages 93 - 106

Week 4: Book 3 - King Nestor Remembers

Friday 25 July - pages 107 - 123

Week 5: Book 4 - The King and Queen of Sparta

Friday 1 August - pages 124 - 151

Week 6: Book 5 - Odysseus - Nymph and Shipwreck

Friday 8 August - pages 152 - 167

Week 7: Book 6 - The Princess and the Stranger

Friday 15 August - pages 168 - 178

Week 8: Book 7 - Phaeacia’s Halls and Gardens

Friday 22 August - pages 179 - 190

Week 9: Book 8 - A Day for Songs and Contests

Friday 29 August - pages 191 - 210

Week 10: Book 9 - In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave

Friday 5 September - pages 211 - 229

Week 11: Book 10 - The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea

Friday 12 September - pages 230 - 248

Week 12: Book 11 - The Kingdom of the Dead

Friday 19 September - pages 249 -270

Week 13: Book 12 - The Cattle of the Sun

Friday 26 September - pages 271 - 285

Week 14: Book 13 - Ithaca at Last

Friday 3 October - pages 286 - 300

Week 15: Book 14 - The Loyal Swineherd

Friday 10 October - pages 301 - 318

Week 16: Book 15 - The Prince Sets Sail for Home

Friday 17 October - pages 319 -337

Week 17: Book 16 - Father and Son

Friday 24 October - pages 338 - 353

Week 18: Book 17 - Stranger at the Gates

Friday 31 October - pages 354 - 374

Week 19: Book 18 - The Beggar-King of Ithaca

Friday 7 November - pages 375 - 389

Week 20: Book 19 - Penelope and Her Guest

Friday 14 November - pages 390 - 409

Week 21: Book 20 - Portents Gather

Friday 21 November - pages 410 - 423

Week 22: Book 21 - Odysseus Strings his Bow

Friday 28 November - pages 424 - 438

Week 23: Book 22 - Slaughter in the Hall

Friday 5 December - pages 439 - 454

Week 24: Book 23 - The Great Rooted Bed

Friday 12 December - pages 455 - 467

Week 25: Book 24 - Peace

Friday 19 December - pages 468 - 485

Week 26: The Iliad Experience

Friday 26 December - concluding our read-through

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Until next time,