The Odyssey Paperback – Deckle Edge, 6 Nov. 2018

Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey is a remarkable achievement. Not only is it the first English version by a woman, but it also captures the beauty, complexity, and diversity of Homer's ancient poem. Wilson uses clear and elegant language, and a rhythmic iambic pentameter that echoes the original Greek meter. She also preserves the number of lines in each book, making her translation faithful to the structure and pace of the original.Wilson's Odyssey is a creative and insightful interpretation. She brings out the nuances and ambiguities of Homer's characters, especially the "complicated" hero Odysseus, who is both a cunning trickster and a suffering wanderer. She also pays attention to the perspectives and voices of the women, slaves, and foreigners in the poem, who are often marginalized or silenced in other translations. She challenges the traditional readings of the poem that glorify violence, patriarchy, and colonialism, and instead highlights the themes of hospitality, justice, and identity.This book will enrich the understanding and appreciation of Homer's masterpiece for modern readers. It is a work of art that deserves to be read and enjoyed by anyone who loves literature, poetry, and adventure. I highly recommend this translation to anyone who wants to experience The Odyssey in a new and refreshing way.

A wonderful translation. Totally gripping.

The transation that I've read

I hate to write this as a Classicist and as a Homerist but my book arrived not fully cut, the pages are rough and I haven’t seen a book as unfinished as this before. Initially I thought it was deliberate until a friend and avid reader explained why it looked that way.In terms of Wilson’s work and translation, I used this as one of many translations for my Master’s Dissertation and having translated the Ancient Greek myself, it is very true to the original as well as Homeric verse. I have been studying Homer’s Odyssey for nineteen years now and I don’t care which copy you pick up, as long as you read it but you can’t go wrong with Wilson.Overall 5 stars for content but 3 stars for quality.

And I have been reading The Odyssey for a long time. It was the third great Epic poem I read, and the first of the 'Western' cannon. Emily Wilson's version in iambic pentameter is just... I don't know... almost too beautiful for words.If you're only going to read English translations of The Odyssey or The Iliad once in your lifetime, my recommendation would be to read Wilson's (for both).To Tamsin Alsbury (another Amazon UK reviewer below), the style of page edge design (see photo) in these Wilson editions brought out by W W Norton, is known as "deckled edges". Yes, it is deliberate. Because it is beautiful. Because it recalls another time, when beauty and quality meant a great deal. Like Homer’s epics and Wilson’s translations.

Amazing audio book with captivating narration. The contemporary language makes is accessible and relatable.

This book is gorgeous... I love just picking it up and flicking through the pages!The double-edged binding gives the pages a real sense of a dusty old folio, being passed on down the ages. Makes me Inner bookworm go 'squee!' 😅There's a fascinating introduction and translation notes to help immerse you in the history of the work, and a lovingly laid out retelling in iambic pentameter that eaisly keeps the flow and drive of Homer's epic.Very pleased with this purchase!

Long fascinating introduction .Anyone put off by an “ academic” essay should read it. An essential guide to the poem itself, which is as compulsive as the best modern TV dramas. Poetic fast paced and in parts moving