Reviews

The Iliad and The Odyssey: Butler Edition by Homer

snowlessknitter's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

3.25

I want to eventually try reading these again in verse form.  Samuel Butler’s prose translation reads kind of tedious at times.  The tediousness showed in the Iliad, although the Odyssey seemed to read a little faster, even with the incredibly slow Victorian prose.

hermit_lantern's review against another edition

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5.0

This is one of the best stories ever written, it has everything. I may be biased, since I read this when I was very young, but there is a reason that it is still popular to this day. I can never recommend this enough.

zoetuitreading's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

occupydeepspace's review against another edition

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Emily Wilson’s translation was more engaging. 

bunnieskissing's review against another edition

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4.0

Lots of meanies in these stories.

talentedcain's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

dragonessreads's review against another edition

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5.0

I have read the Odyssey a few times, but this is the first time i have read the Iliad. I like it so far.

iamjudgedredd's review against another edition

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5.0

I've studied The Iliad in two separate classics classes, and absolutely love it. There's so much to unpack here, and it's obviously wildly influential. If you've ever watched the film Troy there's basically only one part that's any kind of accurate to the book. That's not a detraction from the fun film, but rather an admonition to give The Iliad a read as well because it's so rich with mythology. Get yourself an annotated version, and take the time. Then read The Odyssey!

The Iliad is wiiild Greek propaganda, but reading it through that lens is well worth it. I'd also recommend following it up with a book called Memorial, which is a testament to all the unnamed people that are killed in The Iliad. It's a sobering reminder that behind propaganda is genuine tragedy.

m_allardyce's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

fouroffivewits's review against another edition

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3.0

My rating isn't a reflection of the story, as it deserves five stars, but of the edition. Specifically the prose version of The Odyssey.