Scan barcode
cosmo_naut's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Emily WIlson has created a beautiful translation of the Odyssey that is both easily understandable and yet allows for poetic verses.
The introduction and translator's note were engaging and a great overview on Wilson's approach to translating a classic that has been translated countless times before.
The story itself is a classic and I can see why. It's gripping and it's fast paced and it deals with some universal human emotions of grief, home sickness, courage and want for revenge. From a modern lense I don't particularly like Odysseus (or most of the other characters). He seems to be incredibly arrogant for someone who is always called clever but rarely genuinely is clever without divine intervention. Most of his problems seem to be of his own doing. However, I'm aware that this is a text that was written in the 8th century BC and follows a general tradition of heroic journeys in a society with different values and morals. That certainly explains why walking up to a stranger and casually telling them you killed someone is not really a problem in the Odyssey.
The introduction and translator's note were engaging and a great overview on Wilson's approach to translating a classic that has been translated countless times before.
The story itself is a classic and I can see why. It's gripping and it's fast paced and it deals with some universal human emotions of grief, home sickness, courage and want for revenge. From a modern lense I don't particularly like Odysseus (or most of the other characters). He seems to be incredibly arrogant for someone who is always called clever but rarely genuinely is clever without divine intervention. Most of his problems seem to be of his own doing. However, I'm aware that this is a text that was written in the 8th century BC and follows a general tradition of heroic journeys in a society with different values and morals. That certainly explains why walking up to a stranger and casually telling them you killed someone is not really a problem in the Odyssey.
queenofthenightdreams's review against another edition
I’ll just say right off the bat that the translation was fine. It was poetic (if not slightly repetitive) and got the job done. For some reason, I just couldn’t get into it.
fairytalesfolkloreandfantasy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
book_busy's review against another edition
4.0
Long. But also rather epic. Love the motto of , "when outnumbered, lie". So much beef eaten, so many gods displeased. Good fun written well and a nice insight into Ancient Greek customs, too.
ritaralha's review against another edition
5.0
Ele começou por contar como primeiro venceu os Cícones
e chegou depois à terra fértil dos Lotófagos.
Também tudo o que fez o Ciclope, e como pagou o preço
pelos corajosos companheiros, que devorara sem piedade.
E também como chegou a Éolo, que o acolheu de modo
gentil, mas não era ainda o seu destino regressar à terra
pátria; pois de novo uma tempestade o arrebatara
e levara pelo mar piscoso, com gemidos de lamentação.
Também como foi ter a Telépilo dos Lestrígones,
que lhe destruíram as naus e os companheiros de belas
joelheiras, salvando-se só Ulisses na sua nau escura.
Falou-lhe dos dolos e variados artifícios de Circe
e do modo como chegou à mansão bolorenta de Hades,
para interrogar o fantasma tebano Tirésias, na nau
de muitos remos; falou-lhe de ter visto os companheiros
e a mãe, que o deu à luz e criou quando era criança.
E ainda de como ouviu a voz das Sereias (enxame de cantos!),
e de como chegou às Planctas e à terrível Caríbdis
e a Cila, da qual nunca os homens fogem ilesos.
Contou-lhe como os companheiros mataram os bois
do Sol e como Zeus, que troveja nas alturas, arremessou
contra a nau um relâmpago candente, perecendo todos
os companheiros, ao passo que só ele escapou ao destino.
E ainda como foi ter à ilha de Ogígia e à ninfa Calipso,
que o reteve, ansiosa que se tornasse seu marido,
nas côncavas grutas, tratando dele e prometendo
que o faria imortal, livre para sempre da velhice.
Mas não logrou convencer o coração no seu peito.
E assim chegou aos Feaces, padecendo muitas dores,
que o honraram como se ele fosse um deus
e lhe deram transporte numa nau até à terra pátria.
Frederico Lourenço: “A ‘Ilíada’ e a ‘Odisseia’ são dois grandes tratados sobre a natureza humana”
constancelee's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, so it wasn't this edition. Can't find the one I'm looking for. It was put out by Harvard Classics but was a young reader's edition. The set came along with out Collier's Encyclopedia set. There were actually quite a few good books in that series I wish I could get my hands on today.
cbeltran's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0