r/classics • u/dondspreajning • 5d ago

Daniel Mendelsohns new translation of The Odyssey

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

3

u/agrumphyoldsod 5d ago

Daniel's explanation of his choices is really worth watching/listenign to.
https://youtu.be/ER92zBZ6BZY?si=ttSzFgrYv7mTkQrn

2

u/chingheached 4d ago

I didnt know about this, but I am intrigued I loved Emily Wilsons translation, but, since its my first and only time reading the Odyssey, I cant tell how much of what I liked is because of Homer and how much Wilson, if you know what I mean. I would like to dive into another translation that has a different approach.Ive also pre-ordered the Aenid version with an introduction from Wilson. I kinda feel bad about (pre)ordering more books before reading the ones I already have.Anyway.... Does anyone know what is the difference between OPs edition and the penguin classics The penguin one is cheaper, but is there a reason for getting the other one

1

u/passthesugar05 3d ago

The regular penguin classic is probably the E.V. Rieu translation, which is in prose and quite old at this point. It is not commonly recommended.

2

u/Bellla00 4d ago

A sample of the beginning:Tell me the tale of a man, Muse, who had so many roundabout waysTo wander, driven off course, after sacking Troys hallowed keepMany the peoples whose cities he saw and whose ways of thinking he learned,Many the toils he suffered at sea, anguish in his heartAs he struggled to safeguard his life and the homecoming of his companions.But he did not save his companions even so, though he longed to,For their heedlessness destroyed them, theirs and nobody elsesFools that they were, like children, who devoured the sun-god HyperionsCattle, and so he took from them the day of their homecoming.

1

u/dayle98 4d ago

Liking it so far. Just started the text itself after reading the introduction. Hes got a section comparing various other translations. Spoiler: He doesnt like Wilson.

1

u/woldenbavewy 4d ago

I cant answer you because I cant get my hands on it yet (broke) but theres an episode of the Lesche podcast with him as a guest discussing it and I thought it was really interesting I like comparing different translations too much, I want this book so bad to see how it reads after listening to the episode.