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sofrosune's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Epic story with slaves, deception, sadness, slaves, rage, murder, slave killing, revenge, joy. Also, Odysseus cheats on her wife Penelope and no one gives a damn. And Penelope does the opposite.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Slavery
michaelpdonley's review against another edition
5.0
Great modern translation, great reader in Claire Danes.
axeborn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
chris_dech's review against another edition
5.0
The Odyssey is one of the most well-known works of literature in all the world, and for good reason. A truly timeless story of grief, faith, vengeance, and a strong affirmation of the human spirit. Easily, easily a perfect story.
viryr's review against another edition
3.0
Igual que la Ilíada, la Odisea la leí por mis clases de Historia Universal y el culpable de la fascinación por la fantasía, ya que estos libros estaban llenos de referencias a Dioses, su benevolencia, su desinterés y muchas veces admiración o repugnancia por los humanos. La aventuras de Odiseo inteligente y astuto.
“Porque un amigo de corazón comprensivo no vale menos que un hermano”
“Porque un amigo de corazón comprensivo no vale menos que un hermano”
t0astghost's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
marsius's review against another edition
5.0
It's difficult to separate reviewing Emily Wilson's translation qua translation and the underlying work. The worthiness of the underlying work I'll leave to others. Personally, I think it's an important part of the canon, but also that, like Don Quixote, the techniques developed since result in substantially better works. It's a worthwhile read at least once in one's life if nothing else but to understand later works, but it's also frustrating in the ways that only a 2900 year old work can be.
The translation, on the other hand, is unquestionably brilliant. Eminently more readable than the version I was forced to slog through in school, and the fidelity to the text seems quite good. Wilson has managed to thoroughly modernize the language and phrasings without sacrificing the underlying work, and that's quite the achievement. Five stars for the translation, and I'll leave others to review the work itself.
The translation, on the other hand, is unquestionably brilliant. Eminently more readable than the version I was forced to slog through in school, and the fidelity to the text seems quite good. Wilson has managed to thoroughly modernize the language and phrasings without sacrificing the underlying work, and that's quite the achievement. Five stars for the translation, and I'll leave others to review the work itself.
wuthrinheights's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
This long, arduous book entailing 20 years of Odysseus's life felt like it took me two decades to finish it too, despite being read within a month. My life force is depleted, I am crawling on the floor in exhaustion and insanity. An epic? I'm afraid not.
From the start, the book was unbelievably slow. From CliffsNotes, I was expecting it to jump into a crazed adventure once Odysseus was introduced. But again, it fell flat. The interesting parts of his Odyssey were briefly mentioned, while the boring parts were stretched on for so long, my eyes kept threatening to shut itself.
I felt nothing for the characters (apart from the mini cameos of Achilles/Patroclus in the Underworld), and I couldn't even root for the hero(es). Odysseus, so charming and intelligent in The Iliad, was bland, aggravating, and promiscuous in his own book. I was excited to love him but I certainly did not the longer I spent time with him.
Athena was endlessly devoted to Odysseus, fluttering by his side, encouraging him, using her godly powers to do makeovers (I told my reading buddy that there should be a drinking game because of her. To take a shot every time she did a makeover in this book). Was she trying to be Aphrodite?
I expected a book full of action and adventure, a tale of cunning and brave heroes, a love story so strong, it never wavered for decades. But instead it was dull, foolish, and disloyal. I can't even rate it 2 stars.
Truly disappointing work with an even dumber ending that felt like a high school girl putting herself in between brawling boys fighting over her attention. I am so glad I finished this so I never again have to wonder about Homer's sequel.
From the start, the book was unbelievably slow. From CliffsNotes, I was expecting it to jump into a crazed adventure once Odysseus was introduced. But again, it fell flat. The interesting parts of his Odyssey were briefly mentioned, while the boring parts were stretched on for so long, my eyes kept threatening to shut itself.
I felt nothing for the characters (apart from the mini cameos of Achilles/Patroclus in the Underworld), and I couldn't even root for the hero(es). Odysseus, so charming and intelligent in The Iliad, was bland, aggravating, and promiscuous in his own book. I was excited to love him but I certainly did not the longer I spent time with him.
Athena was endlessly devoted to Odysseus, fluttering by his side, encouraging him, using her godly powers to do makeovers (I told my reading buddy that there should be a drinking game because of her. To take a shot every time she did a makeover in this book). Was she trying to be Aphrodite?
I expected a book full of action and adventure, a tale of cunning and brave heroes, a love story so strong, it never wavered for decades. But instead it was dull, foolish, and disloyal. I can't even rate it 2 stars.
Truly disappointing work with an even dumber ending that felt like a high school girl putting herself in between brawling boys fighting over her attention. I am so glad I finished this so I never again have to wonder about Homer's sequel.
chawthorne's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
dekaj's review against another edition
3.0
If someone struggles to get through this book, I highly reccomed trying the audio book narrated by Sir Ian McKellen. He truly manages to give this story and the characters within the gravitas they deserve, which helped make the story feel more real.