it's not my summer reading list but i have heard it's THE big book to read this summer after east of eden. looking forward to reading your thoughts as you get through it.:)
I’m also working through The Odyssey, but I’m reading E.V. Rieu’s translation, since I heard it was the translation that read the most like a novel rather than a poem.
Excited to hear your thoughts on Mendelssohn, because I’ve read several books of Wilson’s translation but none of his.
I’m on Book 7 right now, so we’ve just reached the King that Odysseus is recounting his journey too. Those first 8 books are a struggle because of that long lead-up to the proper journey, so I’m really trying to power through those to get to the good stuff lol. So far I like the translation in that it is not as flowery as the true poetry (I struggle with poetry in general, so it’s a huge barrier for me). I hope I will fall more in love with it as the pace picks up, but we’ll have to see with that.
Planning on rereading Wilson's translation of the Odyssey before the movie comes out. I also picked up Crossing the Wine Dark Sea by Emily Wilson, and I'm excited to start reading that as well.
Ooooo this sounds like a great bunch to keep you occupied over the summer! Will be cool to read along together! I’m keen to see what the different translations do to the story…
I can't speak for other translations (though I'm pretty sure I picked up another translation on my Kindle at some point) but Wilson's translation of the Odyssey (and the Iliad) reads really well. I finished the Odyssey in no time, as it was such an engaging story, which really surprised me. Last year I read the Aeneid and it took me months of slogging through it. Pious Aeneas really did my head in, LOL.
I remember Wilson wrote the intro but I believe the translation was by someone else? And the translation was well done, I think, but the poem just didn't hook me like the Iliad and the Odyssey did. But loads of people love the Aeneid, so I guess it just wasn't for me.
Perhaps this one? That's the one I have. It's definitely pretty and the translation reads well, it's just the story I had difficulty with. If you ever get to reading it, I'd be interested to know what you think of it!
it's not my summer reading list but i have heard it's THE big book to read this summer after east of eden. looking forward to reading your thoughts as you get through it.:)
Amazing! Can’t wait to get stuck in!
My big one for this summer is also East of Eden (and finally finishing Lonesome Dove)!
what did you think of lonesome dove? My hubby just finished it and loved it
Would love to know how you divide your reading of this one so I can follow along!
I’m thinking of doing a weekly post on it? I ran a poll on the gram and that’s what people seemed to want…I’ll ask in the chat!
I’m also working through The Odyssey, but I’m reading E.V. Rieu’s translation, since I heard it was the translation that read the most like a novel rather than a poem.
Excited to hear your thoughts on Mendelssohn, because I’ve read several books of Wilson’s translation but none of his.
Ooooo I’ve not heard of that translation but then again there are so many!! How are you finding it?
I’m on Book 7 right now, so we’ve just reached the King that Odysseus is recounting his journey too. Those first 8 books are a struggle because of that long lead-up to the proper journey, so I’m really trying to power through those to get to the good stuff lol. So far I like the translation in that it is not as flowery as the true poetry (I struggle with poetry in general, so it’s a huge barrier for me). I hope I will fall more in love with it as the pace picks up, but we’ll have to see with that.
Let me know how you get on! I’m diving in to them over the weekend!!
Will do! Excited to hear yours too!
Planning on rereading Wilson's translation of the Odyssey before the movie comes out. I also picked up Crossing the Wine Dark Sea by Emily Wilson, and I'm excited to start reading that as well.
Ooooo this sounds like a great bunch to keep you occupied over the summer! Will be cool to read along together! I’m keen to see what the different translations do to the story…
I can't speak for other translations (though I'm pretty sure I picked up another translation on my Kindle at some point) but Wilson's translation of the Odyssey (and the Iliad) reads really well. I finished the Odyssey in no time, as it was such an engaging story, which really surprised me. Last year I read the Aeneid and it took me months of slogging through it. Pious Aeneas really did my head in, LOL.
Hahahaha did you read Wilson’s version of Aenaid?
I remember Wilson wrote the intro but I believe the translation was by someone else? And the translation was well done, I think, but the poem just didn't hook me like the Iliad and the Odyssey did. But loads of people love the Aeneid, so I guess it just wasn't for me.
I think she recently came out with a translation? I feel like I saw a hardback of it recently…I haven’t read it personally but want to…!
Perhaps this one? That's the one I have. It's definitely pretty and the translation reads well, it's just the story I had difficulty with. If you ever get to reading it, I'd be interested to know what you think of it!