- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; Reissue edition (30 April 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060904798
- ISBN-13: 978-0060904791
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.5 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
220,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #44 in Books > Study Books > Undergraduate & Postgraduate > Arts & Humanities > Classics & Ancient History > Ancient Greek
- #69 in Books > Poetry, Drama & Criticism > History & Criticism > Literary Theory & Movements > Medieval
- #98 in Books > Fiction > Poetry & Drama > Poetry > Genres > Myths
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Description
Review
"The best...translator of Greek poetry into English is Richmond Lattimore...This is the best Odyssey in modern English" Gilbert Highet "In this Odyssey, Professor Lattimore has achieved his chef d'oeuvre as a translator...A dazzling and well-nigh flawless performance... Here is a master in perfect control of his medium...A landmark in the history of modern translation...It would be a crime to underestimate the miraculous and self effacing artistry with which Professor Lattimore has reanimated Homer for this generation, and perhaps for other generations to come... Times Literary Supplement "Lattimore's translation of Homer's Odyssey is the most eloquent, persuasive and imaginative I have seen. It reads as if the poem had originally been written in English." Paul Engle
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Book Description
‘The best living translator of Greek poetry into English is Richmond Lattimore…. This is the best Odyssey in modern English.’ – Gilbert Highet
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First Sentence
Tell me, Muse, of the man of many ways, who was driven far journeys, after he had sacked Troy's sacred citadel. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
Tell me, Muse, of the man of many ways, who was driven far journeys, after he had sacked Troy's sacred citadel. Read the first page
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Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Filled with noun epithets and other Homeric figures of speech that could only be brought out in verse. So it's very good if you are studying Homer.
I read it in prose the first time when I was younger not knowing that there was verse translations.
With Lattimore's version you get a sense that you are actually reading somrthing that is as close to the original as you're gonna get.
I read it in prose the first time when I was younger not knowing that there was verse translations.
With Lattimore's version you get a sense that you are actually reading somrthing that is as close to the original as you're gonna get.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There's a confusing choice of translations of The Odyssey available on the market; some are wonderful, and some are frankly torrid and almost impenetrable even to a reader who is educated in and familiar with the classics.
Although some of the prose translations may initially seem to offer an easier route into the marvels of Homer, don't be fooled! Lattimore has produced a translation that is sparkling in its imagery and is therefore in many respects a far easier read than many prose versions.
Quite simply, as the blurb on the cover states: you'd be excused for thinking that The Odyssey was actually originally written in English!
For a verse translation of Homer's Odyssey, you won't go wrong with Lattimore.
Although some of the prose translations may initially seem to offer an easier route into the marvels of Homer, don't be fooled! Lattimore has produced a translation that is sparkling in its imagery and is therefore in many respects a far easier read than many prose versions.
Quite simply, as the blurb on the cover states: you'd be excused for thinking that The Odyssey was actually originally written in English!
For a verse translation of Homer's Odyssey, you won't go wrong with Lattimore.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When I was at school we studied the Rieu transalation of The Odyssey so when I revisited the epic as part of my university course I was reluctant to switch to the recommended Lattimore version. I eventually overcame my fear of change and am pleased to report that the Lattimore is the most faithful and accurate translation that I have encountered. It also makes a great study aid when refering back to the original ancient greek sources.
While Lattimore or Rieu are both suitable for those of us with slight scholarly inclinations - I understand that beginners might be better with a prose translation such as Shewring. I will still keep my Rieu translation on the bookshelf out of fondness!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Story - Good; Quality - Bad
I have still given this a good rating because the quality of the words is excellent.
My complaint is about the texture and quality of the paper. Read more
My complaint is about the texture and quality of the paper. Read more
Published 15 days ago by R. Chrichlow
Brilliant Translation
I have only tried three different translations of The Odyssey so I can't claim to be an expert. One was a Victorian version which is a difficult read, one was a modern English... Read more
Published 12 months ago by writer christopher
Brilliant!
I'm a student, and I attempted to read the E.V.Rieu translations of Homer's works and suffered- it was so dull!
Lattimore's version brings the story to life, it reads well. Read more
Lattimore's version brings the story to life, it reads well. Read more
Published 13 months ago by N.S.
A fine verse translation
This translation was first published in 1967. Every generation needs a new translation. I thought so until I read this version. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Ian.S.
good translation - poor formatting on the kindle
The book is fine but on the kindle it does not format the text properly. Margin numbers are mixed with the body of the text. Paragraphs are almost random. Poorly formatted. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Bobby Hundreds
Outstanding
The best translation I have ever read. It is a verse translation, not prose & so is as close to the original that you can get in English - yet it somehow it still manages to be a... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Cinders
I predict this author will go far
It seems impertinent to review the Odyssey, so I will just say that the translation is very readable
Published 19 months ago by Timothy R. Armstrong
Supposedly the best version of Homer's Epic
I am reading this version of Homer's Epic poem as a set text for my degree in classical studies. It is supposed to be the best version to read as it is meant to be as close to the... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Vicki Mint
Good translation
Course material for O.U A219. A bit of a heavy read if you are only interested in the outline of the story. But rewarding for the more committed.
Published on 13 May 2010 by tessa sanderson
Odyssey of Homer
I read this book at school many years ago and it caught my imagination then.
The notes to this book are very useful if,like me you are now studying the classical periiod this... Read more
The notes to this book are very useful if,like me you are now studying the classical periiod this... Read more
Published on 29 Sep 2009 by David Chandler
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