I'm in and thank you, Matthew, for leading this read.
FYI, I found a free pdf version here (my copy was not a Fagles translation) - file:///C:/Users/finds/Documents/Odyssey%20Robert%20Fagles%20Translation%20Numbered.pdf
Wonderful introduction, Matthew; thank you. I'll mainly be deep-reading the Wilson version, but also following along (for the sake of comparison) in the Fagles and Mendelsohn.
I am, however, late to this "Homer party," and - having read this introduction - I'm wondering if I should go back and reread the earlier entries on the Illiad first? Will your Illiad material continue to remain accessible on your Substack platform?
Thank you for providing this opportunity to deeply consider and enjoy these amazing works in company.
Cynthia, the essays and discussions on The Iliad will remain available for anyone. There is no need to go back and read the Iliad first unless you just want to. While the stories are related they can be read independently. So it is up to you on how you would like to approach the reading. The Wilson translation is beautiful so I know you will enjoy it.
Thank you for your response, Matthew, and for continuing to keep the Iliad commentary available. You did an exceptional job researching and writing about it, and I look forward to reading it in depth. I have read the Iliad, it has just been several years; I am looking forward to reading the new Wilson edition of that as well.
Odysseus has been my lifelong hero, perhaps because I was unfairly tagged as a brainy kid, and the Odyssey is the ultimate Revenge of the Nerds. Also, because he is an imperfect hero whose hubris after escaping Polyphemus sets the table for many of his subsequent woes. Superman never knew defeat and never lied, but only superheroes can be perfect. Odysseus has human imperfections. Certainly, as a captain of men, he is a total failure, unable to maintain discipline.
My experience with the Iliad some years back was pretty awful, so I did not tag along for a re-read from a different translator. I'm in for the Odyssey, though; my local library has the Wilson and I will pick it up shortly.
I loved the Odyssey, having only read it for the first time six months ago. Sad I’m not reading alongside you but definitely cheering on all the lucky readers who are!
I’m curious as to which translations people are reading!
I used the Wilson for our Iliad read and also have a copy of her Odyssey. I found the Wilson quite easy to read.
But I saw the new Mendelsohn version and got that one too. Now I don’t know which one to read. I’ve had a very quick look at the first few pages of both and can see they are quite different. Mendelsohn in his introduction is quite critical of Wilson’s approach which was interesting.
Any feedback on the Mendelsohn? Or should I stick with Wilson? Or try some completely different version 😀
He says that Wilson’s decision to write in fairly strict iambics produced a version that both critics and readers admired for its speed, vigor and clarity, but in his opinion her decision to create an Odyssey in English with exactly the same number of lines as the original has resulted in a version that has necessarily omitted much of what was in each line.
For example:
Mendelsohn:
Many the peoples whose cities he saw and whose ways of thinking he learned,
Many the toils he suffered at sea, anguish in his heart…
Wilson:
[Tell me]
where he went, and who he met, the pain
he suffered in the storms of sea
Mendelsohn feels that “where he went and who he met” doesn’t convey as much about what Odysseus experiences.
I ended up reading chapter one of both versions and have chosen the Mendelsohn. The Wilson is easier to read, but I feel like the Mendelsohn does have more depth.
I have to slow down the pace of the 🍓 voice lots of people don't like the us blueberry🫐voice Two nations divided by a common language according to Winston Churchill.
I'm in and thank you, Matthew, for leading this read.
FYI, I found a free pdf version here (my copy was not a Fagles translation) - file:///C:/Users/finds/Documents/Odyssey%20Robert%20Fagles%20Translation%20Numbered.pdf
Thank you Matthew for this journey's invitation.
I'm wondering if, in The Odyssey, we can compare the fate and the karma.
I'll be reading the book in French and I look forward for your posts.
Christine from Belgium.
I could not hang with The Iliad (wimp ). But I’m here to start the journey again with Odyssey.
What a great introduction to The Odyssey. I’m excited to follow along with you and reread this epic.
wow! I’m behind and still reading The Iliad but can’t wait to maybe catch up and join in real time, sounds amazing
Wonderful introduction, Matthew; thank you. I'll mainly be deep-reading the Wilson version, but also following along (for the sake of comparison) in the Fagles and Mendelsohn.
I am, however, late to this "Homer party," and - having read this introduction - I'm wondering if I should go back and reread the earlier entries on the Illiad first? Will your Illiad material continue to remain accessible on your Substack platform?
Thank you for providing this opportunity to deeply consider and enjoy these amazing works in company.
Cynthia, the essays and discussions on The Iliad will remain available for anyone. There is no need to go back and read the Iliad first unless you just want to. While the stories are related they can be read independently. So it is up to you on how you would like to approach the reading. The Wilson translation is beautiful so I know you will enjoy it.
Thank you for your response, Matthew, and for continuing to keep the Iliad commentary available. You did an exceptional job researching and writing about it, and I look forward to reading it in depth. I have read the Iliad, it has just been several years; I am looking forward to reading the new Wilson edition of that as well.
Odysseus has been my lifelong hero, perhaps because I was unfairly tagged as a brainy kid, and the Odyssey is the ultimate Revenge of the Nerds. Also, because he is an imperfect hero whose hubris after escaping Polyphemus sets the table for many of his subsequent woes. Superman never knew defeat and never lied, but only superheroes can be perfect. Odysseus has human imperfections. Certainly, as a captain of men, he is a total failure, unable to maintain discipline.
Lol "the Odyssey is the ultimate Revenge of the Nerds." Love it.
My experience with the Iliad some years back was pretty awful, so I did not tag along for a re-read from a different translator. I'm in for the Odyssey, though; my local library has the Wilson and I will pick it up shortly.
You've captured The Odyssey's soul as both epic and mirror. Great post.
I loved the Odyssey, having only read it for the first time six months ago. Sad I’m not reading alongside you but definitely cheering on all the lucky readers who are!
We are living an odyssey.
I’m curious as to which translations people are reading!
I used the Wilson for our Iliad read and also have a copy of her Odyssey. I found the Wilson quite easy to read.
But I saw the new Mendelsohn version and got that one too. Now I don’t know which one to read. I’ve had a very quick look at the first few pages of both and can see they are quite different. Mendelsohn in his introduction is quite critical of Wilson’s approach which was interesting.
Any feedback on the Mendelsohn? Or should I stick with Wilson? Or try some completely different version 😀
What sort of criticism did he have for Wilson? I haven’t picked up a copy of his yet, but I love the Wilson.
He says that Wilson’s decision to write in fairly strict iambics produced a version that both critics and readers admired for its speed, vigor and clarity, but in his opinion her decision to create an Odyssey in English with exactly the same number of lines as the original has resulted in a version that has necessarily omitted much of what was in each line.
For example:
Mendelsohn:
Many the peoples whose cities he saw and whose ways of thinking he learned,
Many the toils he suffered at sea, anguish in his heart…
Wilson:
[Tell me]
where he went, and who he met, the pain
he suffered in the storms of sea
Mendelsohn feels that “where he went and who he met” doesn’t convey as much about what Odysseus experiences.
I ended up reading chapter one of both versions and have chosen the Mendelsohn. The Wilson is easier to read, but I feel like the Mendelsohn does have more depth.
😊
This is an amazing explanation; thank you so much. I’ll definitely order the M to see what he has to say!
I'm in too. Our slow read of The Iliad was great, I'm looking forward to enjoying The Odyssey as well.
I came across this story about archaeological excavations at the site of Troy. I'm passing along the link for anyone interested.
Troy Excavations Resume to Uncover Trojan War Secrets - GreekReporter.com https://share.google/VcLtLCAzaRTade1lb
I have to slow down the pace of the 🍓 voice lots of people don't like the us blueberry🫐voice Two nations divided by a common language according to Winston Churchill.
https://open.substack.com/pub/grubstreetinexile/p/the-south-bank-show-special-the-strawberry?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=l1oox