The Odyssey

I had read The Odyssey in college, but that was longer ago than it took Odysseus to make his way home after the Trojan war. Loved this version of the book. Liked the fact that it was translated by a woman. Loved the translator's summaries and notes. Loved the introduction. I couldn't finish the book before I had to return it to the library, so I went and bought my own copy of it. I plan to pass it on as a gift to my son.

Reading this spectacular saga reminded me once again why I love long-winded outrageous yarns. Surely this has to be the tall tale to top them all! No wonder parts of it have become the basis for countless films, operas, essays, poems over the centuries. Completely engrossing; and this translation is wonderful.
Living in the western world it's impossible not to be exposed to some or many of the elements of this story in one form or another and I had paid several less than heroic visits in the past, stopping off at various ports along the way, led by a succession of troubadours beginning with Chapman taking up Homer's tale; but I had never finished the entire journey. None of those interpreters struck me as having captured the true spirit of the age or fleshed out Odysseus' persona as I had hoped. This time, I was happily swept along with Mr. Eagles all the way back to Ithaca. He captured the spirit and rhythm of the tale so well that I was at times tempted to rise out of my silent chair to declaim passages aloud; surely a great achievement when translating from ancient Greek to modern vernacular English.
One is reminded at times that this began as an oral tale, more or less formally set in regular hexameter; accordingly, there are passages that repeat, almost like a refrain punctuating episodes in a long ballad. Far from holding up the progression as one might expect, these interludes serve to raise the tale off the printed page into the immediacy of a verbal performance. All it needed for full effect was the strumming of a lyre and the smell of the wine-dark sea.

Eminently readable new translation of the ultimate adventure tale.

I love everything about this translation, and Wilson's introduction and author's note to the text are some of the most fascinating and thoughtful pieces of literary analysis I've read in ages.

The deviousness and frailty of gods and humans abound. I loved the first three books, the final books, and Athena and Telemachus, but it’s great to have the whole adventure on the seas in ready English syntax.

This is a nice contemporary translation of Homer. Homer translated as verse is almost always better than not and this doesn't disappoint.

The contemporary word use will hopefully get Homer a wider audience, however I suspect the shelf-life of this translation will be relatively short.

This classic poem will not disappoint! I encourage readers to read it for pleasure and not for school. It is more enjoyable then the Iliad. Fully deserves 4.5 stars!!!

This book is awesome! For everyone from age 7 to 85. A great family read.

A classic- the original " road story ".

This (the Martin Hammond translation) is a great translation that's EASY to read, unlike some others I have tried. You can enjoy this epic much more if you actually understand what's going on without having to read each line 3 times over.
Thank you, Mr. Hammond!

Odysseus faces many challenges when traveling back home after fighting in the Trojan war for 10 years. This is one of my favorites because I always loved reading about the monstrous creatures of Greek Mythology and this book consisted of some of my favorites such as sirens and the Cyclops.

Michelle

One of my favorites because I love reading about the monstrous creatures of Greek mythology and this book consisted of some of my favorites such as the sirens and the cyclops

-Michelle; Teen Volunteer

Homer’s Odyssey is one of the greatest masterpieces ever written. It chronicles the voyages of Odysseus as he makes his way home after the Trojan War. Meanwhile his home has been overrun by suitors for his faithful wife. Not only is the Odyssey a great story, it is also foundational to understand many other great works of literature. Of the translations I’ve read (Fitzgerald, Mandelbaum and parts of Pope and Dryden) Fagels’ is by far my favorite. The introduction by Bernard Knox is also superb.

Written in a slow and tedious style.

I prefer the robert Fagles translation if given a choice.

Fagles' translation attempts to reflect the contemporary vernacular the original Greek was written in, rather than seeking to elevate it to a more formal, "epic" tone. The effort is appreciated, but he does tone down a great deal of the more disturbing elements, and the "vernacular" can get downright "folksy".

I cant wait to read this book this year for class #pirates

"The Odyssey is the tale of what happens to a great hero, Odysseus, after the apocalypse of Troy. The poem opens 10 years after the end of the war, when Odysseus is still trying to find his way home to Ithaca. The story shifts back and forth between Odysseus being cast adrift at sea, facing mythic dangers beyond measure, and the efforts of his wife Penelope and son Telemachus to ward off violent suitors and keep their home together until Odysseus' return. Eventually Odysseus returns home in the guise of a beggar, and plots the deaths of the suitors who are destroying his house. The poem portrays a world very different from that of The Iliad, and a hero, Odysseus, who is very different than Achilles. The Odyssey focuses more on issues of cunning intelligence, justice, endurance, home, and family. It is the perfect counterpart to The Iliad, both reflecting and criticizing the values portrayed in the other poem." Annotation by Professor Walter Englert.

This book is great for readers who love adventure.

I love Odysseus.

A Classic. One of the best books I have ever read. however, the book can get a little boring sometimes because you already know what is going to happen before it happens, but that is also the same thing that keeps you interested. It is like watching an opera for the first time but you know all the songs.

Very enjoyable to read.

"The Odyssey is the tale of what happens to a great hero, Odysseus, after the apocalypse of Troy. The poem opens 10 years after the end of the war, when Odysseus is still trying to find his way home to Ithaca. The story shifts back and forth between Odysseus being cast adrift at sea, facing mythic dangers beyond measure, and the efforts of his wife Penelope and son Telemachus to ward off violent suitors and keep their home together until Odysseus' return. Eventually Odysseus returns home in the guise of a beggar, and plots the deaths of the suitors who are destroying his house. The poem portrays a world very different from that of The Iliad, and a hero, Odysseus, who is very different than Achilles. The Odyssey focuses more on issues of cunning intelligence, justice, endurance, home, and family. It is the perfect counterpart to The Iliad, both reflecting and criticizing the values portrayed in the other poem." Annotation by Professor Walter Englert.

It is a compelling and brillant book.

Stanley Lombardo's translation is very readable. An excellent version for modern audience.