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Homer-Haunted: The Many Afterlives of an Ancient Poet
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 12, 2026
I would have given this 5 stars, but I knocked a star off for the fact that every male translator discussed here gets a chapter to himself, but the three female translators in the final chapter have to share one between them.
July 14, 2026
4.5/5 but rounded up to 5
This was such a fun and enlightening read. Through every page you can tell the deep research that Henry Power undertook to write such an engaging book that explains just how much Homer has impacted writers and poets through the ages. This compilation of English translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey through many years starting from the very first person, George Chapman in 1611 is such an interesting subject read about. I will say I do think it is very helpful and useful to have read both the Iliad and the Odyssey to get a better understanding of the changes that were made by each writer’s interpretation of events and attitudes.
Power’s writing style is easy to read and entertaining. I found myself adding a few of these translations to my ever growing tbr because their interpretations were so interesting. So many thought provoking moments throughout this book.
Thank you, Henry Power and Bloomsbury USA for providing this e-ARC via NetGalley for review.
This was such a fun and enlightening read. Through every page you can tell the deep research that Henry Power undertook to write such an engaging book that explains just how much Homer has impacted writers and poets through the ages. This compilation of English translations of the Iliad and the Odyssey through many years starting from the very first person, George Chapman in 1611 is such an interesting subject read about. I will say I do think it is very helpful and useful to have read both the Iliad and the Odyssey to get a better understanding of the changes that were made by each writer’s interpretation of events and attitudes.
Power’s writing style is easy to read and entertaining. I found myself adding a few of these translations to my ever growing tbr because their interpretations were so interesting. So many thought provoking moments throughout this book.
Thank you, Henry Power and Bloomsbury USA for providing this e-ARC via NetGalley for review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Henry Power's "Homer-Haunted" is a lesson in excellence. Using incredible close-reading skills, Power guides us through the Iliad and the Odyssey through the lens of the many "poets, politicians, lunatics and lovers" that have been fascinated by Homer's heroes. This was an incredible read - unputdownable for anyone fascinated by the ancient poet.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews