The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson
by Angel DiGianivittorio (Librarian’s Assistant)
About the Book:
“Composed at the rosy-fingered dawn of world literature almost three millennia ago, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty and power; about marriage and family; about travelers, hospitality, and the yearning for home. This fresh, authoritative translation captures the beauty of this ancient poem as well as the drama of its narrative. Its characters are unforgettable, none more so than the “complicated” hero himself, a man of many disguises, many tricks, and many moods, who emerges in this version as a more fully rounded human being than ever before. Written in iambic pentameter verse and a vivid, contemporary idiom, Emily Wilson’s Odyssey sings with a voice that echoes Homer’s music; matching the number of lines in the Greek original, the poem sails along at Homer’s swift, smooth pace. A fascinating, informative introduction explores the Bronze Age milieu that produced the epic, the poem’s major themes, the controversies about its origins, and the unparalleled scope of its impact and influence. Maps drawn especially for this volume, a pronunciation glossary, and extensive notes and summaries of each book make this an Odyssey that will be treasured by a new generation of readers.”
– Provided by Publisher
About the Translator:
Professor Emily Wilson serves as the Department Chair and the Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. With a B.A. in Classics, a M.Phil. in Renaissance English Literature, and a Ph.D. in Classics and Comparative Literature, Wilson explores the many nuances within “the epic” through her translation of Homer’s The Odyssey. Before the story even begins, Wilson takes the time and care to acquaint readers with her experiences dissecting The Odyssey. She familiarizes her audience with sociological, geological, historical, political, mythological, and etymological contexts surrounding Homer’s lyrics. Loyal to accuracy, Wilson becomes a conduit for the love, loss, and conflict that The Odyssey was meant to portray.
Her expertise does not stop at The Odyssey. Wilson has also translated The Iliad, has published four books on ancient literature and multiple essays and articles, and has contributed many translations to the ancient literature/philosophy world.
Genre/Form: Poetry
Subject(s): Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Mythological Character)
WTPL Call Number: 883.01 HOM
Copies Available for Check-Out: 1
Availability on Libby: English audiobook (different translator), English E-Book (same translator)
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