07-24-2012, 05:56 PM | #1 |
Readaholic
Posts: 255
Karma: 1058454
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Swindon, UK
Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)
|
Homer's Odyssey
I'm a compulsive reader of contemporary fiction, who has generally struggled with "The Classics". It's a question of style, rathat than content or comprehension - I just find most classical translations are a slog, rather than a pleasure to read. That said, I recently completed (and mostly enjoyed) Samuel Butler's translation of The Iliad. Next step, The Odyssey!
However, I have recently been totally blown away by Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles, and that set me wondering whether there might be a translation out there that's suited to my reading tastes. I know this is an easy question to ask and almost impossible to answer blind, but I'd appreciate any suggestions for a translation that a reader of contemporary fiction (both genre and literary) is likely to find amenable. I guess I'm looking for a version in a modern prose style, but that's about as far as I've got. All suggestions gratefully received! TIA, Ian |
07-24-2012, 06:06 PM | #2 | |
MR Drone
Posts: 1,613
Karma: 15612282
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: DRONEZONE
Device: PB360+, Huawei MP5, Libra H20
|
I am sure Harry T. will chime in as he is one of the resident experts on Greek Classics at MR.... I would Recommend T.E. Lawrence's translation:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Odyssey-Ho.../dp/0195068181 It's excellent and it may help one who prefers to read contemporary novels instead of the classics. I read this version on my second reading of the Odyssey and enjoyed it quite a lot. One tip, if it bogs you down read it in tandem with another book ans slowly slog through it. I did this with War and Peace and other classics that I had to struggle with. Quote:
|
|
Advert | |
|
07-24-2012, 06:22 PM | #3 |
Now what?
Posts: 58,853
Karma: 135181808
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Durham, NC
Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!
|
Try and compare several different translations - for a very modest price:
http://delphiclassics.com/shop/?p=722 Epub here: http://delphiclassics.com/shop/?p=2625 |
07-24-2012, 06:28 PM | #4 |
o saeclum infacetum
Posts: 20,226
Karma: 222235366
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: New England
Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5
|
You might be interested in this thread, which has some discussion of translations:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=175779 |
07-24-2012, 06:34 PM | #5 | |
Omnivorous
Posts: 3,281
Karma: 27978909
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Rural NW Oregon
Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1
|
And of course there's a modern adaptation - Spin the Sky by Katy Stauber.
Quote:
|
|
Advert | |
|
07-24-2012, 06:50 PM | #6 |
Wizard
Posts: 3,117
Karma: 9269999
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: UK
Device: Sony- T3, PRS650, 350, T1/2/3, Paperwhite, Fire 8.9,Samsung Tab S 10.5
|
|
07-25-2012, 08:44 AM | #7 |
Readaholic
Posts: 255
Karma: 1058454
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Swindon, UK
Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)
|
Thanks for all your contributions - one thing I love about this site is people's generosity in sharing their experiences.
hidari - the Lawrence translation certainly sounds appealing. I found Seven Pillars of Wisdom surprisingly readable, if that's anything to go by. poohbear - thanks for the link. At that price, the epub version will be making its way to my reader for evaluation! jgaiser - hmm, interesting, but I think I'll leave it until I'm more familiar with the original. Having said that, as a fan of science fiction I'm sure I've read several books that were dervied from The Odyssey in some way! |
07-25-2012, 11:02 PM | #8 |
Wizard
Posts: 2,986
Karma: 18343081
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sudbury, ON, Canada
Device: PRS-505, PB 902, PRS-T1, PB 623, PB 840, PB 633
|
Margaret Atwood wrote "The Penelopiad" as part of Knopf's Myths Series. It tells of Odysseus' homecoming from Penelope's point of view. It's short and written with a light touch; something to augment the other story, rather than replace it.
|
07-26-2012, 01:46 AM | #9 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
My personal favourite translation is Richard Lattimore's, which is available as an ebook. Robert Fagles' translation is also good, and is also available as an ebook (it's the Penguin Classics one).
|
07-30-2012, 03:14 PM | #10 |
Readaholic
Posts: 255
Karma: 1058454
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Swindon, UK
Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)
|
Thanks for that suggestion - I've added it to my list, but think I'll leave it until after the main event.
|
07-30-2012, 03:15 PM | #11 |
Readaholic
Posts: 255
Karma: 1058454
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Swindon, UK
Device: Sony PRS-T2 (previously 505 and 650)
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Poetry Homer: Odyssey (Greek) | PiVi1962 | Kindle Books | 3 | 01-03-2012 12:32 PM |
Poetry Homer: Odyssey book 1 (Greek). v1. 20 Aug 2010 | Rosen | Kindle Books | 0 | 08-20-2010 04:14 PM |
Other Non-Fiction Snider, Denton J.: Homer's Odyssey - A Commentary. v1, 12 Aug 2008 | HarryT | Kindle Books | 0 | 08-12-2008 09:00 AM |
Other Non-Fiction Snider, Denton J.: Homer's Odyssey - A Commentary. v1, 12 Aug 2008 | HarryT | BBeB/LRF Books | 0 | 08-12-2008 08:59 AM |
Homer: Odyssey, Book 1 (Ionic Greek). v1. 14 Jul 07 | HarryT | BBeB/LRF Books | 11 | 11-20-2007 04:20 AM |