Play Book Tag discussion

Fabulous translation - give it 10 stars!

This was not my first reading as I read it first in college (not including a few times reading excerpts like the Cyclops story while in junior and senior high school literature classes)- the Richard Lattimore translation - and have dipped into periodically over the decades, primarily the Fagles translation. Yes, I own 3 separate translations of this -- and other of the Greek Classics. Translations vary so much that reading a new one can be an experience similar to reading it for the first time. That's for sure what this experience was, reading Emily Wilson's translation of this epic adventure poem, the first woman to have an English translation published. [Aside - I don't believe for a second that there haven't been women translating this into English as long as men have been - they just haven't been published].

It's written to be read and enjoyed by all as an adventure story, a fantasy, historical fiction, coming of age story, all of the above. It's poetry, yes, but reads like prose. There is wit, humor, cliffhangers. There are sections that rile one up about the treatment of women and slaves, has one thinking about what made a hero then vs.now. Wilson provides fantastic notes and there is a lengthy introduction filling in history, choices Wilson made in translating, etc.

Wilson has made it so accessible - to all, young and old.

In meantime, check out Emily Wilson's YouTube videos reading - or really performing - sections; it shows just how approachable Wilson finds this epic poem and how it can appeal to all today.

I read this - have a hardcover first addition - but I used an audible credit to buy the audio version, Claire Danes reading, as I just didn't have time to read the long introduction and wanted to do so. I listened to Danes reading the introduction as I folded and put away laundry a few times and liked her clear spare reading of the introduction - it was like a lecture. I did not listen to her reading the epic itself although others in my discussion group complimented it.

I’m so glad you posted this review! I was looking at reading both The Odyssey and The Iliad this year and the number of translations a to choose from is a bit overwhelming.

Have you read Wilson’s translation of The Iliad? I have Fitzgerald’s translation on hold at my library because it’s an audio copy, but I’m wondering now if I should switch to Wilson and read a physical copy.

I have not read the Wilson The Iliad yet though I do own it - and also the Fagles translation and probably at least one other.

I will say that the discussion group I participated in reading The Odyssey had a number of people comparing Fitzgerald, Fagles, and Wilson -- very different language and style choices. All are respected translations. I have dipped into the Fagles and a client/friend of mine used it primarily for a one man show (performed Off Broadway) he put together. That was before the Wilson translation was published - he read multiple different English translations - has been reading them for years. His preference at that point was Fagles. He's been in Europe for a while so haven't had a chance to discuss it with him.

My suggestion: spend a few minutes at the library looking at a print copy of each -- read the first book - it won't take long - very fast reading - I think you will quickly decide which suits you more. For example, the opening line alone has different interpretations. Pick the one that reads most easily for you.

Anecdotally, a friend of mine who was in the discussion/reading group for the Wilson translation, enjoyed it but wasn't so entralled by the lean moderness of her translation - which I reveled in. She prefers more florid descriptive writing. All those wordy pages of description Victorian writers like Trollope, Hardy, Wilkie Collins. Oddly enough, she dislikes Dickens and I'm the opposite - while I certainly appreciate descriptive, romantic even a tad overblown writing, I dislike most of the Victorians except for Dickens!

I also really liked the fact that this did not read like poetry.

(The read along and discussion were on APS Together on Substack app - just ended but it was a free event/free app and you can access it still if you want to see the discussions in the first couple of days about different translations and reactions to this one. There has been talk among the readers that they want to read The Illiad and hope that a similar opportunity arises)

Thank You!! This really helps, I appreciate the time you took to write this all out.

I think my plan moving forward will be to keep my hold on the Fitzgerald copy of the audiobook and see how I like it. If I’m having a hard time with the audio copy, I may look for a written copy of both Fitzgerald and Wilson and see how I like the first book of each as you suggested.

Unfortunately my local library isn’t large enough to have multiple translations readily on hand. Thank goodness for inter library lending programs and Libby 🙌🏻

As to Victorian classic, I am also a Wilkie Collins fan and not a fan of Dickens. Not a fan of Hardy either though. Very much enjoy the Brontë sisters, but not a fan of Austin. I’m not sure where that lands me in terms of romantic vs strait forward writing styles but it’s interesting to compare. :)

Nicole wrote: "Thank You!! This really helps, I appreciate the time you took to write this all out.

I think my plan moving forward will be to keep my hold on the Fitzgerald copy of the audiobook and see how I l..."

I will be very interested to see where you land!