In the process of rereading Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey, I’ve been puzzling over the nature of the goddess Athena, one of the more intriguing conundrums of ancient Greek mythology.
Continue reading “What’s at stake in ancient representations of Athena?”
Recently, I’ve had multiple requests for book recommendations from readers who are new(ish) to Greek mythology. What’s a good entry point? they asked. My brain immediately exploded with possibilities, of course, but after I reassembled it, these five came floating to the surface.
Continue reading “5 Nonfiction Books for Readers New to Greek Mythology”
Recent reads:
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
Homer: The Resonance of Epic by Barbara Graziosi and Johannes Haubold
Since the title explains the purpose of this piece, I’ll jump right in with my four personal favorite elements in contemporary novels that revisit ancient Hellenic mythology: Continue reading “4 Things I Love in Hellenic Myth Retellings”
You may have noticed that Greek mythology is having a bit of a moment lately. Several acclaimed novelists have produced fiction inspired by or in conversation with ancient literature…and have been nominated for awards. Continue reading “10 Contemporary Novels (and one Poem) and their Classical Sources”
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)”
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”
One of my favorite stories from Greek mythology is the popular version of Perseus and Andromeda’s myth.
It’s one of the few I can recall in which the hero does NOT come to grief. Perseus does NOT enrage the gods via a fit of hubris. He does NOT suffer a tragic punishment. He fulfills his quest to chop off Medusa’s head, marries Andromeda, and they live happily ever after in the stars. Literally. The gods immortalize them as the constellations Perseus and Andromeda. Continue reading “Why is Medusa’s sad backstory so rarely told in Greek myth retellings?”
