As promised in my last post: Two ancient Greek concepts that play a significant role in both The Odyssey and Harry Potter are xenia and suppliants. Continue reading “Homer & Harry Potter: Xenia and Suppliants”
Since beginning my “reading all the Odysseys” project, I’ve been finding Odyssean echoes in books that otherwise have nothing to do with Homer. Without my intending it to, The Odyssey has become an interpretive lens through which I read books of all kinds. Continue reading “Homer and Harry Potter”
Pardon me as I clear out the cobwebs… Continue reading “Samuel Butler’s Odyssey and more summer reads”
Lately, I’ve been fascinated by classical reception in children’s literature, especially in books for young readers ages 9-12. Continue reading “The Adventures of Ulysses (and more May reads)”
About a month ago, I decided I want to read all the English translations of Homer’s The Odyssey. Given the dozens in existence, “all” will probably be interpreted loosely. But that is not the subject of today’s discussion. Today, I want to talk about, well, what the title of this piece says. Continue reading “Why I’m reading all the English translations of The Odyssey”
Have I ever done a tag here before? Sam from Spines in a Line kindly nominated me for this one, and I could not resist. Thank you, Sam! Continue reading “In which I am tagged”
My April reads, in one handy place. *smiles, waves, blows kisses* Continue reading “Hesiod’s Theogony and more April reads”
Current reads:
The Odyssey by Homer, translated by E. V. Rieu
Helen and Trojan Women by Euripides
The Poems of Hesiod, translated by Barry B. Powell
Current thoughts:
Lately, I’ve been thinking about my first response to the first line of Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey: “Tell me about a complicated man.” Relief. It was a feeling similar to when you have a word on the tip of your tongue but can’t recall it. It’s maddening. For a second, you think you have it, but it slips away. And then someone says it. They give you the word, and now you can relax. Continue reading “Status of the universe: It’s complicated”
Ooops … time got away from me, and it has been too long. But here I am again with two months worth of reading adventures, including what I’m confident will be my favorite read of 2018: Emily Wilson’s translation of The Odyssey. Continue reading “The Odyssey and more February and March reads”
As February is slipping away, it’s past time to revisit my excellent January reads. So with no further preamble…
The Oresteia: “Agamemnon,” “Libation Bearers,” and “Eumenides” by Aeschylus
The Oresteia follows Agamemnon’s return from Troy, his murder at the hands of his wife (Clytemnestra) and lover (Aegisthus), his son Orestes’ revenge killing of them, and Orestes’ murder trial.
Continue reading “The Oresteia by Aeschylus and more January reads”
