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woweyer's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
sltah's review against another edition
5.0
Four stars are for the poem itself, and the additional star is for Wilson's introductory essay-not that the translation itself isn't brilliant-but because I have the habit of reading the introduction after the main body of text, the revelation brought to me maintains particular clarity. Ok now onto Fagles' The Iliad!
ranam's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It pulled me in at first, but it started becoming slow-paced about a quarter of the way through. It's an epic poem so there's a lot of literary techniques like rhythm, rhyme, repetition, similies and personification, even in translation. Poseidon was the only god I didn't like because he held a grudge against Odysseus for gouging his son, the man eater, in his one eye.
unviincible's review against another edition
5 stars for the translation, about 4 for the story only b/c odysseus will go on these super long tangents making up his entire backstory when he's pretending to be someone else. which is very funny as a character but it does go on an excruciatingly long time
smaxbee52's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
askaglassofwater's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
emily wilsons translation of the odyssey is beautiful in how clear and simple it is, my favourite definitely
tristansreadingmania's review against another edition
4.0
Like a bolt of lightning striking a tree, [b:The Iliad of Homer|11054461|The Iliad of Homer|Homer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344674047s/11054461.jpg|3293141] set my cranium alight when its sheer incantatory power first washed over me. It's an astonishing work, brutal and violent, while at the same time deeply affecting, brimming with incisive insights into human nature.
Odysseus and crew, having taken precautions to not be lured by the Sirens' song, sail past them.
Homer's subsequent epic poem I was less enraptured by because of its lack of focus, even though it is unquestionable that it represents a high-water mark in the Western canon; its qualities as a narrative - and influence - can't be overstated. Similar to Odysseus, I was fervently hoping for a homecoming of some kind ( in my case back in the hands of the master poet ) but the return gave credence to the age-old adage that you truly never can come home again. That first, visceral contact spoiled me, proved to be much too potent for [b:The Odyssey|1383|The Odyssey |Homer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1425062193s/1383.jpg|3356006] ever to be able to compete with.
Odysseus reveals himself and deals with the suitors.
Do I love it? No, but I coldly admire it from a distance, and as such hold it in great respect. More than likely I'll never get to a point of "intimacy" with it, in a manner of speaking.
Expansive reviews of this and [b:The Iliad of Homer|11054461|The Iliad of Homer|Homer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344674047s/11054461.jpg|3293141] will probably follow in the future, when I decide on re-reading them, probably in different translations from the Richmond Lattimore one (which I highly recommend, especially for the latter).
Odysseus and crew, having taken precautions to not be lured by the Sirens' song, sail past them.
Homer's subsequent epic poem I was less enraptured by because of its lack of focus, even though it is unquestionable that it represents a high-water mark in the Western canon; its qualities as a narrative - and influence - can't be overstated. Similar to Odysseus, I was fervently hoping for a homecoming of some kind ( in my case back in the hands of the master poet ) but the return gave credence to the age-old adage that you truly never can come home again. That first, visceral contact spoiled me, proved to be much too potent for [b:The Odyssey|1383|The Odyssey |Homer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1425062193s/1383.jpg|3356006] ever to be able to compete with.
Odysseus reveals himself and deals with the suitors.
Do I love it? No, but I coldly admire it from a distance, and as such hold it in great respect. More than likely I'll never get to a point of "intimacy" with it, in a manner of speaking.
Expansive reviews of this and [b:The Iliad of Homer|11054461|The Iliad of Homer|Homer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1344674047s/11054461.jpg|3293141] will probably follow in the future, when I decide on re-reading them, probably in different translations from the Richmond Lattimore one (which I highly recommend, especially for the latter).
jvsaucceda's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. This was an epic read. It was intriguing to hear the cultural references and the life breathed into this old story. It was difficult to get through the prologue, but it was worth it to have a better grasp on the translation and the story elements. I’m glad to have this one under my belt.