A review by billyjepma
The Odyssey by Homer

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This was an interesting read for me. I’ve never read a translation of The Odyssey, but I have always been familiar with the story (because who isn’t?), and the news of Christopher Nolan tackling an adaptation seemed like a good excuse to dive in. I question whether Wilson’s translation was the best one to start with, though. As much as I admire and even applaud the approach she took, the accessibility of her language lessened the grandeur of the storytelling somewhat. She makes note of that in her (excellent) introduction and explains that making a story sound “old” doesn’t actually make sense, and I agree! But I think I would’ve enjoyed the storytelling more if the presented used were as dramatic as the content it’s describing. There are still some beautiful turns of phrase here, of course, and Wilson’s commitment to the verse gives her translation a rhythm that helps the more modern-sounding language flow better as I read. 

What makes me think this translation would’ve fared better for me if it weren’t my first official experience with it comes down to how Wilson uses her translation to critique and de-sensationalize the story itself. I unabashedly love how often she reminds us that Odysseus sucks—he’s not a good guy, and Wilson keeping that fact front and center for the entire story gives it an edge of modernity and commentary that made me want to engage with it from a more analytical, academic headspace. On the flip side, as much as the language makes this an approachable gateway for modern readers, the way it reckons with the legacy of the story and its other translations makes me wish I had more experience with those versions before getting into this one. Regardless, I’m very glad to have read this, and I appreciate how Wilson framed/reframed the story for a contemporary audience.