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adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
medium-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
Three stars for the story; five stars for the translation
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Torture, Murder
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Emily Wilson’s new translation of ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer uses plain language and straightforward sentences to make the epic poem accessible to all readers. The translation is fluid and easy to follow. Not once did I get a whiff of imposter syndrome or feel like the book was ‘not for someone like me’—a feeling I’ve certainly had when reading other, more elevated translations. However, sometimes the choice of word or phrase does feel a little anachronistic.
At the beginning of the book, Wilson explains her approach to the translation and also introduces the text. Both are informative, and not only give context to the text and this version of the translation, but also provide a jumping off point for further reading about Homer and The Odyssey. The notes at the end are helpful, too. Each book is summarised and notes are given to explain certain lines.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and enlightening read, and it proves that epic poems like ‘The Odyssey’ aren’t only for those who have studied Literature or Classics, but are something that can be appreciated by everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Misogyny, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Misogyny, Slavery, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Torture, Colonisation
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Torture, Violence, War
Moderate: Rape
informative
reflective
slow-paced
5 to translator, 3 to the book. The intro was really thorough and informative, I appreciate it more than the book itself. The Odyssey felt more like an ancient propaganda than a piece of art. But I'm also an average Joe, it is my personal unprofessional opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Murder
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Xeina - I would argue this is the main theme of The Odyssey with how much importance is emphasized on hospitality by the Gods, our main characters, and even the antagonists. I would argue most of my annotations were about xenia/xenos in the Odyssey. I really didn't expect this going into the story, but once you understand that xenia is a complex concept to the Greeks, you'll understand that the entire story resolves around it.
Unreliable Narrator - Listen. I really hope if you take anything away from the Odyssey, it's that “hero” does not equal “virtue.” The Greek translation of “hero” is literally closer to “warrior.” People can argue if Odyssey is a good man or not- I'm just gonna say he's an interesting narrator to follow. And that he's definitely a colonizer. Next.
Deceit - Take a shot everytime Homer and Wilson describe Odyssey as “cunning.” Ody lies, tricks, schemes, ect. It's no shocker that Athena shares this quality with him. I will say I found great joy in Penelope outwitting Odyssey with her own test in the end- she matches his freak…
Family/Home & Loyalty -
Penelope is such an interesting character with how much her story parallels Helen of Sparta. Although the Odyssey does provide enough context for the reader to understand how these two women resemble each other, I do want to read Wilson's translation of the Illiad in the future for a more in-depth analysis.
Telemachus is a wet tissue for most of this story, but wow does he try. It's interesting to see how much pressure he has as a “boy,” and what it took for him to “become a man” since his journey is the exact opposite of Odysseus’s journey.
Overall, I really like how Homer questions what exactly is a home and the relationships of family.
Gods/Mortals & Fate - Gods also ties in with xenia, but I wanted to focus more on the aspect that multiple characters knew that Odyssey's fate was to become cursed with eternal wandering?? Odyssey himself knew it would take him 20 years to comeback home before he left for troy!!! I was absolutely shocked. The concept of what is in people's fate and what isn't is such an interesting topic and I'm somewhat disappointed it's not fleshed out as much as other topics in the Odyssey… maybe because fate is just a given?
I could talk about the themes of gender, class, and power but then I would never get this review posted so I will continue rambling in my journal! Overall, I really enjoyed Wilson's translation of The Odyssey!!! I read a different translation years ago and this translation is not only more comprehensive, but has a certain rhythm that makes it feel like how Homer intended the story to be told.
Unreliable Narrator - Listen. I really hope if you take anything away from the Odyssey, it's that “hero” does not equal “virtue.” The Greek translation of “hero” is literally closer to “warrior.” People can argue if Odyssey is a good man or not- I'm just gonna say he's an interesting narrator to follow. And that he's definitely a colonizer. Next.
Deceit - Take a shot everytime Homer and Wilson describe Odyssey as “cunning.” Ody lies, tricks, schemes, ect. It's no shocker that Athena shares this quality with him. I will say I found great joy in Penelope outwitting Odyssey with her own test in the end- she matches his freak…
Family/Home & Loyalty -
Penelope is such an interesting character with how much her story parallels Helen of Sparta. Although the Odyssey does provide enough context for the reader to understand how these two women resemble each other, I do want to read Wilson's translation of the Illiad in the future for a more in-depth analysis.
Telemachus is a wet tissue for most of this story, but wow does he try. It's interesting to see how much pressure he has as a “boy,” and what it took for him to “become a man” since his journey is the exact opposite of Odysseus’s journey.
Overall, I really like how Homer questions what exactly is a home and the relationships of family.
Gods/Mortals & Fate - Gods also ties in with xenia, but I wanted to focus more on the aspect that multiple characters knew that Odyssey's fate was to become cursed with eternal wandering?? Odyssey himself knew it would take him 20 years to comeback home before he left for troy!!! I was absolutely shocked. The concept of what is in people's fate and what isn't is such an interesting topic and I'm somewhat disappointed it's not fleshed out as much as other topics in the Odyssey… maybe because fate is just a given?
I could talk about the themes of gender, class, and power but then I would never get this review posted so I will continue rambling in my journal! Overall, I really enjoyed Wilson's translation of The Odyssey!!! I read a different translation years ago and this translation is not only more comprehensive, but has a certain rhythm that makes it feel like how Homer intended the story to be told.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Misogyny, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Kidnapping
Minor: War
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I knew going in it would be an adventure, but I didn’t know the heart of the story was one person’s longing for family and love and the drive it can give a person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, War, Classism
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Murder
Minor: Rape, Slavery
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Classism
Minor: Infidelity