Good translation of the Iliad?

[badmouse]

I'll go see troy, but I feel like reading the book. I remember reading it back in school, a LONG time ago, and it was pretty hard to follow - but I understand that there have been some new, better translations since then.

Anyone have recommendations?

No, I can't read the original Greek, thanks.

 

[skace]

From what I've heard, if you are going to see the movie, you will enjoy it much more if you HAVN'T read the book recently. Read the book after if you want..

No recommendations for the book...

 

[nickdakick]

Originally posted by: skace
From what I've heard, if you are going to see the movie, you will enjoy it much more if you HAVN'T read the book recently. Read the book after if you want..

No recommendations for the book...

Yup don't read it before you go watching. The movie does not stick very much to Homer(no, not Simpson).

Maybe afterwards
you search here

 

[badmouse]

Well, as I remember it from the old days, it's not a book that you can read thru quickly, so there's no danger of reading it before seeing the movie this weekend.

I was thinking more along the lines of something to read at bedtime, to put me to sleep.

 

[dr150]

Cliff Notes

 

[Paul Ma]

the translation by Fagle is one of the best.

 

[BD2003]

If youre going to actually read it, make sure you get the translation by robert fagles. Its by far the best one.

But its still not light reading, because its not a book that's meant to be read. It was meant to be heard, as sang/chanted by a professional, of which we obviously do not have anymore.

If youre looking for something to put you to sleep, the iliad is it. You have to really WANT to read it to get through it. Its gory as hell, but the vast majority of the book is just grisly details of killing that get old quick and anecdotes that youre not even going to be able to begin to relate to. Basically a lot of filler to very little plot, but what can you really expect from something written so long ago.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140275363/qid=1084858388/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-5964119-9796900?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

 

[csf]

Man I've heard the movie is HORRIBLE and makes a complete joke of the epic and its story... do yourself a favor and read the book instead; Fagles is the favored one, as people here have recommended.

 

[DaWhim]

Originally posted by: BD2003
If youre going to actually read it, make sure you get the translation by robert fagles. Its by far the best one.

But its still not light reading, because its not a book that's meant to be read. It was meant to be heard, as sang/chanted by a professional, of which we obviously do not have anymore.

If youre looking for something to put you to sleep, the iliad is it. You have to really WANT to read it to get through it. Its gory as hell, but the vast majority of the book is just grisly details of killing that get old quick and anecdotes that youre not even going to be able to begin to relate to. Basically a lot of filler to very little plot, but what can you really expect from something written so long ago.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0140275363/qid=1084858388/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-5964119-9796900?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

that's what I heard
cheer!

 

[slydecix]

The Lattimore translation isn't too shabby either... my freshman honors greatbooks prof really advocated it

 

[bleeb]

I bought the Barnes and Noble edition of the Iliad... this sucker is a TOUGH read.