The Odyssey.
Homer's Odyssey has been called "the first novel," "the first expression of the mind in literary form," and "the best story ever written." Whether fans of suspense, fantasy or human drama, readers of all ages thrill to Homer's vibrant picture of Odysseus on his decade-long journey, as he meets the lotus-eaters, cunningly flees Cyclops, angers his gods, resists the sexy Sirens, narrowly escapes Scylla and Charybdis, averts his eyes from Medusa, docks in exotic cities--all the while struggling to make it home to his wife and son.
Stats for nerds
14recommend
28mentions
26people
2009–2026years
54% recommend46% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- Just finished re-reading Emily Wilson's translation of the Odyssey a few weeks ago.
If you haven't read the Odyssey before, I think her translation is accessible enough to just jump right in.
My favorite part of the story is how central luck is to everything.
The characters constantly accept the role of luck in what they do, and the potential of landing on the wrong side of it.
Few modern stories give luck and randomness such prominence, and downplay our own ability to entirely control outcomes.
- 2023 has been a good year with regard to reading. This has been year of History, Memoirs and Mythology. Some books I liked and would recommend are:
1) Nothing To Fear - This book is about the Great Depression in the USA and how president JFK took steps to bring the economy back.
2) Digital Minimalism - This is one book I would like to revisit every two years. About digital distractions and how to minimize it.
3) The Odyssey By Emily Wilson- This was a surprising easy read with author's notes on the backdrop. Helps you understand Greek mythology and some unraveling of human emotions. Pretty deep. Highly recommend.
4) Long Walk to Freedom - Autobiography of Nelson Mandela plus a good history of events in South Africa during his time.
5) Lies My Teacher Told me - This is about lies that usually are represented in US high school history and the author debunks some myths. This is also a USA history primer, but all the tones associated are negative.
6) India After Gandhi - Sneak peak into some Indian History and political environment after Independence, events leading to formation of states etc.
7) Lend Me Your ears: Great Speeches in History - This is a great collection of speeches grouped by events. Highly recommend. Nice way to learn some history through speeches.
- I can warmly recommend the new Iliad translation by Caroline Alexander as audiobook. Suberb! I understand the new translation by Emily Wilson (whose Odyssey was excellent) should be good as well.
The new translations really bring these old poems to life, and listening to them is at least for me the best way to consume them.
- Wait for Emily Wilson (due at the end of September). Her Odyssey is easily among the great classical translations.
- Check out Emily Wilson's recent translation of The Odyssey for a great read in contemporary English.
- I quite like Emily Wilson's recent translation of the Odyssey. I just wish she had kept "winged words" in, but that's a very minor thing.
For the Iliad, I have a preference for Richmond Lattimore. His is fairly true to the original and so it feels like an old story from far away, which I like. I think most people like Robert Fitzgerald better though?
