
The Odyssey
Reviews

« now goddess, child of zeus, tell the old story for our modern times. find the beginning. »
i have always been a homeric child, i have been passionate about homer's works for as long as i can remember and while i loved the odyssey i was always an iliad girl at heart and forever will be.
i have read a few odyssey translations both in english and french and having read her iliad i really wanted to finally tackle emily wilson's. which i thoroughly enjoyed (so easy to enjoy when you don't have random twitter users screaming kicking and crying in your ear about her translations).
my guy odysseus just wanted to get home to his wife and son and honestly i relate to him as someone who is very notoriously cursed with public transport. i just want to get home to my wife (my bed) and son (my stuffed animals) but the gods (belgian train services) have other plans in store for me. truly, i get odysseus.









Highlights

‘Cyclops, you asked my name. I will reveal it: then you must give the gift you promised me, of hospitality. My name is Noman. My family and friends all call me Noman.’

He was seized by sweet desire / to weep, and in his heart he knew them all.

He saw them fallen, all of them, so many, / lying in blood and dust, like fish hauled up / out of the dark-gray sea in fine mesh nets; / tipped out upon the curving beach’s sand, / they gasp for water from the salty sea. / The sun shines down and takes their life away.

If we are cruel, everyone will curse us during our life, and mock us when we die. The names of those who act with nobleness are brought by travelers across the world, and many people speak about their goodness.

In my heart I do know right and wrong. I used to be a child; I am not now. But I cannot even afford to think my own heart’s thoughts.

These nights are magical, with time enough to sleep and to enjoy hearing a tale.

Gods give, gods take away, as is their will; to gods all things are possible."