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cunningba's review against another edition
5.0
I know I read this Lattimore translation my freshman year at MIT.
It really is beautiful, if a bit gory at times. The huge number of names, oblique name references, and mythological and geographical references do make reading difficult, but I was in no hurry this time and was using the notes in Willock's excellent Companion, so I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I don't remember and can't help wondering now if I got as much out of it as a freshman as I do now. I have a lot more background knowledge of Greek mythology, history, and geography now than I did then. But, even as a freshman, it was not my first exposure to Homer: I remember buying and reading the Classics Illustrated version of The Iliad in elementary school, as well as reading the Rouse translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey when I was in high school. I must have liked it my freshman year though because I remember reading a lot of the followup Greek dramas outside of class because I liked them so much.
Anyway, I decided to pick up The Iliad again because I recently read Madeleine Miller's The Song of Achilles, which I loved for her lyricism, and Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, which I really liked for her storytelling. I wanted to see how much they were retconing Homer. The answer is, quite a bit, but they can stand on their own. Nowhere near as bad as the movie Troy.
Anyway, I can recommend the Lattimore translation as one of the most readable and lyrical. It's most enjoyable if you take your time and lookup or figure out all of the references.
I'm sure there are other fine translations out there and opinions and preferences may vary. John Keats wrote an excellent favorable review of Chapman's translation some time ago.
It really is beautiful, if a bit gory at times. The huge number of names, oblique name references, and mythological and geographical references do make reading difficult, but I was in no hurry this time and was using the notes in Willock's excellent Companion, so I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I don't remember and can't help wondering now if I got as much out of it as a freshman as I do now. I have a lot more background knowledge of Greek mythology, history, and geography now than I did then. But, even as a freshman, it was not my first exposure to Homer: I remember buying and reading the Classics Illustrated version of The Iliad in elementary school, as well as reading the Rouse translations of The Iliad and The Odyssey when I was in high school. I must have liked it my freshman year though because I remember reading a lot of the followup Greek dramas outside of class because I liked them so much.
Anyway, I decided to pick up The Iliad again because I recently read Madeleine Miller's The Song of Achilles, which I loved for her lyricism, and Pat Barker's The Silence of the Girls, which I really liked for her storytelling. I wanted to see how much they were retconing Homer. The answer is, quite a bit, but they can stand on their own. Nowhere near as bad as the movie Troy.
Anyway, I can recommend the Lattimore translation as one of the most readable and lyrical. It's most enjoyable if you take your time and lookup or figure out all of the references.
I'm sure there are other fine translations out there and opinions and preferences may vary. John Keats wrote an excellent favorable review of Chapman's translation some time ago.
achillesheeled's review against another edition
4.0
There are no binding oaths between men and lions—wolves and lambs can enjoy no meeting of the minds—they are all bent on hating each other to the death.
it took me... a very long time to get through this. i still liked it a lot and thought that the translation was well done easy to understand. im planning on starting the odyssey soon!
it took me... a very long time to get through this. i still liked it a lot and thought that the translation was well done easy to understand. im planning on starting the odyssey soon!
rattledragons's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
4.25
callieju's review against another edition
4.0
made me extra sad because all o could think of during the death of Patroclus was the song of achilles
thesimplereader's review against another edition
2.0
Freshman Year. AP English read.
Interesting for how old it is.
Interesting for how old it is.
hjb_128's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Incest and Sexual violence
samcibula's review against another edition
Not adding a star rating because it feels weird to rate the Iliad. But I will say that this translation, as with Emily Wilson's Odyssey, is compelling, crisp, and readable. Honestly given the way some of you talk about this poem I thought it would be way more gay than it was. Lots of guys getting absolutely wrecked though.
deargwen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0