The Odyssey

In this fresh, authoritative version–the first English translation of The Odyssey by a woman–this stirring tale of shipwrecks, monsters, & magic comes alive in an entirely new way. Written in iambic pentameter verse & a vivid, contemporary idiom, this engrossing translation matches the number of lines in the Greek original, thus striding at Homer’s sprightly pace & singing with a voice that echoes Homer’s music.

Wilson’s Odyssey captures the beauty & enchantment of this ancient poem as well as the suspense & drama of its narrative. Its characters are unforgettable, from the cunning goddess Athena, whose interventions guide & protect the hero, to the awkward teenage son, Telemachus, who struggles to achieve adulthood & find his father; from the cautious, clever, & miserable Penelope, who somehow keeps clamoring suitors at bay during her husband’s long absence, to the “complicated” hero himself, a man of many disguises, many tricks, & many moods, who emerges in this translation as a more fully rounded human being than ever before.

A fascinating introduction provides an informative overview of the Bronze Age milieu that produced the epic, the major themes of the poem, the controversies about its origins, & the unparalleled scope of its impact & influence. Maps drawn especially for this volume, a pronunciation glossary, & extensive notes & summaries of each book make this an Odyssey that will be treasured by a new generation of scholars, students, & general readers alike.