The Odyssey: The Fitzgerald Translation [Paperback] [1998] (Author) Homer, Robert Fitzgerald, D. S. Carne-Ross

by Homer

Genres: Classics, Mythology, Fiction, Poetry

Paperback

Published January 1, 1998

About the author

Homer (Greek: Όμηρος born c. 8th century BC) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the most revered and influential authors in history.
Homer's Iliad centers on a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles during the last year of the Trojan War. The Odyssey chronicles the ten-year journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, back to his home after the fall of Troy. The poems are in Homeric Greek, also known as Epic Greek, a literary language which shows a mixture of features of the Ionic and Aeolic dialects from different centuries; the predominant influence is Eastern Ionic. Most researchers believe that the poems were originally transmitted orally. Despite being predominantly known for its tragic and serious themes, the Homeric poems also contain instances of comedy and laughter.
Homer's epic poems shaped aspects of ancient Greek culture and education, fostering ideals of heroism, glory, and honor. To Plato, Homer was simply the one who "has taught Greece" (τὴν Ἑλλάδα πεπαίδευκεν). In Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, Virgil refers to Homer as "Poet sovereign", king of all poets; in the preface to his translation of the Iliad, Alexander Pope acknowledges that Homer has always been considered the "greatest of poets". From antiquity to the present day, Homeric epics have inspired many famous works of literature, music, art, and film.
The question of by whom, when, where and under what circumstances the Iliad and Odyssey were composed continues to be debated. Scholars remain divided as to whether the two works are the product of a single author. It is thought that the poems were composed at some point around the late eighth or early seventh century BC. Many accounts of Homer's life circulated in classical antiquity; the most widespread account was that he was a blind bard from Ionia, a region of central coastal Anatolia in present-day Turkey. Modern scholars consider these accounts legendary.

French: Homère, Italian: Omero, Portuguese, Spanish: Homero.

Reviews

[lilyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

well homer definitely gave it the right title bc that was definitely an Odd Sea

[⋆˚꩜｡ ☆ Sophiii ☆ 𝜗ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

NO BONE IN MY BODY WANTS TO GIVE THIS BOOK LESS THAN FIVE STARS. WHAT A FUCKING ETERNAL MASTERPIECE 🫢

[Katharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should probably read another translation of this at some point but I can’t imagine liking another one as much as Fitzgerald’s version. Never studied Greek so I can’t judge it as a translation, but it could be the worst translation of Homer ever and it would still be worth reading, it’s so beautifully composed.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fucking bro. Goes off to battle, dominates, gets held back by fine women at every turn to just hang out, out-wits a cyclops (which are poseidons kids, i guess), gets a curse from poseidon for this and can't go home for a hot minute because the seas don't fw him.
"Wine dark" sea.
Argos, his dog, dies after seeing him and is the only one who recognizes him.
He just kills like 20 people and the handmaids for fucking them.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a fake Greek myth girlie because all of my knowledge of Greek myth comes from the Percy Jackson series and various other retellings. But I have finally read the OG (I guess I will need to read The Iliad next?) and you know, these so-called “great” men being not-so-great is not a new phenomenon apparently.

[Matthew Kindzerske · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prose, poetry, and journey is very enjoyable. If I was assigned this in high school I would have hated it, but reading this later in life along with a chapter guide made it an excellent read.

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

He is his father's son.

I recently re-read (or rather, re-listened to) The Odyssey alongside my 13-year-old as part of his English class. The last time I read it was in college, and I've always enjoyed it a bit more than The Iliad (looking at you, Catalogue of Ships). This re-read/listen was a welcome return to a story I've always loved.

Odysseus's ill-fated attempts to return home after the Trojan War, combined with his wife Penelope's efforts to fend off numerous suitors vying for her hand and taking advantage of her home's hospitality, create a compelling dual narrative. What I had forgotten was how central Telemachus is to the story and how much attention he receives. His journey to learn about his father, his travels, and their eventual reunion were elements I glossed over in my first read-through, being more captivated by the "fun" parts like the Cyclops, the Lotus-Eaters, Calypso, Scylla, and Charybdis.

While those adventurous set pieces remain entertaining, the larger themes of homecoming and the satisfaction of revenge resonate more deeply with me now. And my kid enjoyed it too.

[Fatima Sheriff · Rating 5 out of 5]

unfamiliar with the style of the epic, I loved the episodic nature with the side quests and the prophecies. The paralleled framing of the narrative of Telemachus on the search and Odysseus telling his tale after leaving Calypso felt very slick. will probably read the Wilson next year to refamiliarise with the story and compare translations, I'm fascinated how Odysseus will come across in that version and in the film because sure he's cunning, noble and brave but he's also bloodthirsty, jealous, proud, and I liked not liking him.

[Katelyn Wo · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was nice. I love the cyclops he’s so cunty. Thanks lit charts part 2

[John Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great story, I cant be more excited for this movie and love that Christopher Nolan is directing it. The movie has big shoes to fill! What a great book filled with adventure

[Alicia Heskin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homer's Odyssey is truly a classic tale. I've always had a love for Greek mythology (I was raised on Percy Jackson) and this book is a great start to reading more classic styles. I decided to read it because of my current hyper-fixation on EPIC the Musical: a concept album based on the story of the Odyssey and I'm glad that I did. I've always struggled to read classic-style writing, but I was able to understand this, so I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take a stab at reading classic novels. The Odyssey is an Epic style poem that tells the story of Odysseus of Ithaca, as he struggles to return home to his wife after fighting in the Trojan War. You learn of his many adventures and problems along his journey, from gods to monsters, to mutiny. I truly did love this book, if you are able to commit to it, I highly recommend it.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think as is obvious from the fact that this took me four months to read, I was not terribly gripped by this translation. Odd amounts of slut shaming and women throwing themselves at Odysseus’ feet. I did enjoy Penelope’s exchange with Odysseus before she trusts that it’s him though. I also loved the continual dedication to describing hospitality practices and obligations.

I think this is something I’d have to sit down and study to fully appreciate perhaps.

[David Shane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, what point in reviewing a 3000 year old work of literature known by all, indeed! So I'll just say that I often enjoy old books (including the Bible) for the fact that the humanity found in these ancient men and women is the same as our humanity. These inclinations and feelings we also know well - first of all, in this story, the longing for home. If I may:

"Where shall a man find sweetness to surpass
his own home and his parents? In far lands
he shall not, though he find a house of gold."

I also noticed, stressed over and over again, the importance of hospitality (and inasmuch as Athena often disguises herself, one thought of Paul's comment about entertaining angels unawares), the praising of women for their beauty (so that hasn't changed) and their weaving (OK, a little less common today). Only the modern world suffers from the confusion that men and women are the same. And just to give you one snip, indeed this also is still true today:

"Of mortal creatures, all that breathe and move,
earth bears none frailer than mankind. What man
believes in woe to come, as long as valor
and tough knees are supplied to him by the gods?
But when the gods in bliss bring miseries on,
then willy-nilly, blindly, he endures.
Our minds are as the days are, dark or bright,
blown over by the father of gods and men."

Per the Greek religion depicted in the book, I have to also say... as a Christian, of course I must say that in many respects this religion was wrong. And yet, even though it was to the gods and not to God, it seems psychologically healthier to me to be thanking the gods for the good in your life instead of thinking it all just chance, or your own doing.

Anyway, an excellent story with many lines that will stick with you.

[Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe it is the consensus in academia, but I could really feel the difference in style between the Iliad and the Odyssey. As I predicted, I prefer the Odyssey for its whimsy and camp over what I would imagine is a more traditional (although of course exemplary in its own right) war poem in the Iliad.

Just like the Lombardo translation I read for the Iliad, the Fitzgerald translation of the Odyssey was great-- only a few words or phrases that felt out of place/time.

[Emma Lu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the hardest fucking book to get through. Im sorry. Middle was good and interesting but literally the back half of the book was odysseus being like who can i trust im gonna play tricks on all of you who’s loyal. So annoying. Honestly pissed me off. Excited for the movie as long as it doesnt follow the like length of scenes that the book does. Otherwise we are gonna have a whiny ass matt damon.

[Jordan Fenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good but a bit slow at times. This was a re-read for me and this time around the theme of grief stood out more than I remember. I also like that the story is largely being recounted orally. fitting as that's how it was originally shared. I'm sure this was way ahead of its time, but reading it now, nothing stands out as terribly unique or ground breaking. if I'd heard it 2,000 years ago I'm sure it would have blown my mind.

[JAYME · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is because it gets hard to read at some points. Even when I was EXTREMELY focused, I still had to reread some parts because it is a tad bit convoluted.

That being said, I love Greek mythology and I loved all the adventures Odysseus had to go through. I don’t see myself willingly reading the Iliad though, SORRY.

[gretagoose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly not as boring as some people say! It feels kind of like a superpower when I read a couple sentences of this text and my brain switches into the dialect. Do I hate Odysseus or do I want to be him? Penelope deserved better.

[Winter Briscoe Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed. Very epic, not so poetic. Written normal style, more digestible but not so beautiful.
Great story, fun to compare modern and ancient society. Highlights what makes us human, what sticks around.

[shriya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fitzgerald Oedipus Rex was gas, and this is no exception. Better than Fagles? I think? I really liked how simple Fagels’ was, but as I get more familiar with the text, good lyricism has been standing out to me. Also, Fitzgerald is alluded to in the Secret History. 😎

[Mackenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great translation for high school. I only read this to prep to teach an upcoming Odyssey unit.

Would I go out of my way to read a classic text, absolutely not. BUT this translation is easy to follow and understand.

[Nathaniel]

Another classic. Though somewhat inferior in my opinion to the Iliad, what the Odyssey has in its favor is its exceptional quotability. It is a goldmine for the reader who wishes to meditate on laconic bits of ancient wisdom. Like the Iliad, read THIS translation.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the poetry of this translation. Even after all this time, it still feels like a rich mine of unexplored depths of meaning.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading again after 40 years and still enjoying the classic tales of men and gods from Greek antiquity.

[Asher Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah it was really good but not the most amazing thing ever. I know it’s a classic and has lasted for centuries, but LOTR and the Chronicles of Narnia are better.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still my favorite. It's been too long since I was in this world...such a great story.

[Jamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw how Homers work was the ancient form of fan fiction , squeezing in many islands and Gods into one story to make it a universal read

[Margaret Cathcart · Rating 4 out of 5]

rip Odysseus, you would have loved wasteland baby by hozier

[Odonchimeg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an amazing read. I don't know why I've waited so long.

[Mads · Rating 2 out of 5]

White men in the 60s are probably not the best translators is all i'm gonna say for now, but an actual review will be coming soon