Homer Reading Schedule (Update)
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.*
Dear friends,
I sent this schedule out a few weeks ago, but since then, we have added several thousand fellow readers to our reading adventure. I wanted to make sure everyone is tracking the schedule. A number of people also asked for a printable version because it isn’t always easy to print from the website. So, I am including that printable version here as well. Everything else below this is the same email I sent a few weeks ago. I hope everyone has their copies and is ready to start our Homeric adventure in January!
(previous message sent on 29 November 2024)
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
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,
Hi Matthew, I have the Ennis Rees translation...will this suffice?
Mathew, I was not planning on reading Homer with you but adore your posts about it. They have inspired me to go back to my old days of no television and reading tons of books.
So even though I'm not joining the journey I am reaping the benefits of your intent!
THANK YOU! You are inspiring through your actions!!