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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
There are so many reviews of this book and this one likely only has value for someone like me who has no real interest in the classics and only decided to read the Odyssey in my retirement just because I thought I should. This is certainly not the type of book I typically read but I thought it was time to broaden my horizons, encouraged to do so my a former workmate.
I have no idea about any of the other translations of this story but this one was excellent for a non-scholar of this genre like me. I felt a bit daunted by the 90+ pages of the introduction and author’s notes but they certainly helped set the stage for me. In fact I will likely read those sections again now that I have read the story.
In regard to the story itself, wow! So much violence yet so much crying. That was a weird dichotomy but it is a very old so who am I to judge. I throughly enjoyed it.
I picked this translation randomly and I think it was perfect for me. Will I read the author’s translation of the Iliad next? Probably not, but it will be on my list.
I have no idea about any of the other translations of this story but this one was excellent for a non-scholar of this genre like me. I felt a bit daunted by the 90+ pages of the introduction and author’s notes but they certainly helped set the stage for me. In fact I will likely read those sections again now that I have read the story.
In regard to the story itself, wow! So much violence yet so much crying. That was a weird dichotomy but it is a very old so who am I to judge. I throughly enjoyed it.
I picked this translation randomly and I think it was perfect for me. Will I read the author’s translation of the Iliad next? Probably not, but it will be on my list.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Me fue más sencillo leer La Odisea que La Iliada por alguna razón, quizá porque ya estaba más familiarizada con el tipo de narración en estos poemas épicos, pero sin duda, esta historia es una qué todo el mundo debe leer al menos una vez en su vida.
La historia de Odiseo añorando su patria y a su familia, sin duda se preserva a lo largo de los años, independientemente de su "fidelidad" porque sobre todo, es la historia de un hombre que a pesar de todo, quiere volver a casa, y creo es algo que la mayoría comprende.
La historia de Odiseo añorando su patria y a su familia, sin duda se preserva a lo largo de los años, independientemente de su "fidelidad" porque sobre todo, es la historia de un hombre que a pesar de todo, quiere volver a casa, y creo es algo que la mayoría comprende.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Slavery
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Slavery, Death of parent
3.5 Fue mejor que la Iliada, pero,esperaba mucho más. Esperaba un viaje insoportable para Odiseo, con eso de que por esta obra se creo la frase "mi odisea" no paso por tanto para el significado que le damos a la frase.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
slow-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:
Yes
This was such a mixed bag for me. Slight spoilers.
Books 1-13 varied from fun to brilliant (namely 4, 6, 9 and to an extent 11; the section of Achaean wives was pretty dull but the section with the heroes was great).
Books 14-19 were a complete slog. Nothing occuring within the narrative or characters interested me at all aside from Odysseus having to quell his bloodlust at night.
Odysseus himself was not as I expected at all. He is often lorded as the most virtuous of mythological heroes, but this seemed slightly off the mark to me. Fagles naming him "the man of twists and turns" was awfully apt in identifying not just the cunning of Odysseus, but also his nature and desires.
Ironically, the virtuous reputation that seems to have fallen upon Odysseus feels like the last, and most brilliant, of his many schemes. He has duped those who live over 2000 years after his journey concluded into believing he was a simple man who wished only for home. A really cool idea, I think.
It did get very boring in parts but it's like 2000 years old so I'm not going to judge it too harshly.
A cool story, high peaks and low troughs.
Also, Menelaus. Just wanted a brief note for him because he seemed cool as fuck.
Books 1-13 varied from fun to brilliant (namely 4, 6, 9 and to an extent 11; the section of Achaean wives was pretty dull but the section with the heroes was great).
Books 14-19 were a complete slog. Nothing occuring within the narrative or characters interested me at all aside from Odysseus having to quell his bloodlust at night.
Odysseus himself was not as I expected at all. He is often lorded as the most virtuous of mythological heroes, but this seemed slightly off the mark to me. Fagles naming him "the man of twists and turns" was awfully apt in identifying not just the cunning of Odysseus, but also his nature and desires.
Ironically, the virtuous reputation that seems to have fallen upon Odysseus feels like the last, and most brilliant, of his many schemes. He has duped those who live over 2000 years after his journey concluded into believing he was a simple man who wished only for home. A really cool idea, I think.
It did get very boring in parts but it's like 2000 years old so I'm not going to judge it too harshly.
A cool story, high peaks and low troughs.
Also, Menelaus. Just wanted a brief note for him because he seemed cool as fuck.
the perseverance i had to get through this book paid off
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Better than its companion epic and instrumental for Western literature for years to come. Problem is translations apparently wring out the pathos and leave it overly formal.