The Odyssey: The Fitzgerald Translation

by Homer

Genres: Classics, Mythology, Fiction, Poetry, Fantasy, Audiobook

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

[Kelly Freestone]

Read this translation if you enjoy having to translate your translation from spellings such as ”Akhaians”, “Klytaimnestra”, and “Nohbdy”, and from antiquated Britishisms such as “luggers” and “beeves”, into something recognizable, or if you want to hear various gods call Odysseus a “ninny” and a “great booby.”

Otherwise, spare yourself and read Fagles.

(I actually did enjoy reading it but good grief.)

[⋆˚꩜｡ ☆ 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 🫢

[Matthew Orvek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that is a good story.

[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.

[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.

[Sam Miller]

WHO UP SLAYING THEIR SUITORS???? THIS BOOK ENDED MY READING RUT!! I haven’t been able to fully finish a fiction book in so long. Feels good :) thank you, Homer.

[Andrew Kochamba]

My favorite thing about this book is how much crying there is

[Benni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, there's a good reason why the Fitzgerald translation is still being recommended...this was so poetic and such a pleasure to read. Of course, there are still some choices I didn't love, like "beeves" for "cows." First-time readers may also be a little confused when he uses shifting terms to refer to gods (Hermes / Wayfinder; Hephaistos / Great Gamelegs). But this translation, along with Fitzgerald's postscript, was excellent.

I have a few editions of this translation. The 1992 Seamus Heaney intro was fine but very skippable IMO.

The 1998 D.S. Carne-Ross intro was exceedingly long and boring (as it's primarily a dry-ish summary of the entire book), and I was annoyed that he didn't even reference or take into account Fitzgerald's postscript.

The 2026 Laura Slatkin intro is barely an upgrade, and only an upgrade in the sense that it's shorter. But just as infuriatingly, she also fails to reference or take into Fitzgerald's postscript. The new afterword by A.E. Stallings is fine but nothing to write home about.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was intimidated by this book when I began, but Fitzgerald's translation was not difficult to understand, and the audio version by Dan Stevens was so well done that I couldn't stop listening.

The story seemed pretty straightforward, but it was only after I listened to Elizabeth Vandiver's lectures (part of the Great Courses), that I understood many of the important themes. I look forward to re-visiting Homer's Odyssey in the future.

[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.

[Ashleigh McKown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took my marked-up copy from high school along for our family trip to Greece. Perfect reading material! It was inspiring to see the seas and sights described in this classic. I had forgotten how vivid descriptions of the natural world and of action are in this tale. Can’t wait to see Christopher Nolan’s interpretation of the story, even if I suspect it won’t come close to matching this translation.

[Joshua Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounced around a couple of translations before landing on this one. I’m so glad I did. The poetry really shines through in this version and from my research before picking this one that’s its strength. Enjoyed every page of it and couldn’t put it down at times.

[Wade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird to rate an ancient text on Goodreads, but here I am. My initial thought is that Christopher Nolan structured the movie perfectly given the material. I mostly was ready to be done by the end. Excited to move on to things from this century.

[Alex Danos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just keep thinking about a meme online that said Percy Jackson had this accomplished in a week.

[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.

[Sara Bielamowicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, not my cup of tea. I only read, actually listened, to it because I was seeing the movie. If I had actually read it, maybe it would have been more enjoyable, but I was on a time crunch. I can say though, after seeing Christopher Nolan’s version of The Odyssey, that he missed out of some great parts of the story. (Even crucial parts, if you ask me.) I’m mixed between giving this 3 and 4 stars, but I’m leaning towards 3.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Lattimore translation in high school, and this translation in college. I remember loving the vividness and strong rhythms of Fitzgerald’s blank verse. This summer’s epic film and all the contradictory reviews I heard of it made me want to revisit this epic after over 40 years. I listened to this translation read by actor Dan Stevens—a magnificent performance. Every great book grows as the reader matures. This is no exception.

[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

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it much more than the Iliad, where I also read the Fitzgerald translation.

I'm hoping to follow up with a different translation down the road.

[Michael Rawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Would like to read again and check out another translation, though I thought this one was good. What an epic story, credit Percy Jackson for me understanding a lot of the mythology behind this.

Would love to dive more into some of the themes here

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! Read it just in time to see the movie. Loved that as well.

[Ana]

Beautiful and interesting end note from Fitzgerald

[Juno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this translation loved the grandeur.

Not much else to say. It is The Odyssey.

[Caitlin Hussey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels inadequate to call it a page turner but truly was racing to finish when I know the ending! 2800 years old and still hits

[Omar Amat · Rating 5 out of 5]

masterpiece by Homer and Masterpiece by Fitzgerald, have to check out his Iliad as well

[Sam Sciarrotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wanted to reread so I listened on audio, because I could not resist Dan Stevens narrating this