Homer's Odyssey, narrated by Emily Wilson, has made this archetypal epic accessible to a new generation of audiences. For those who have read it a thousand times, she remains true to Homer's intent, despite decisions that frame word choice in a distinctly modern context, e.g. "Master" and "slave."
Wilson's exposition explains why she wrote it in colloquial language, in iambic pentameter, which flows so naturally that even a 12 year old could participate in the conversation. Her scholarly notes address structural and stylistic elements that enabled oral story tellers to transmit the story so faithfully over 2 millennium.
Homer's voice speaks once again, describing the character traits of the long-suffering, resolute Odysseus, through the clear passionate voice of the narrator, Claire Danes. The language is simple and lyrical and evocative of emotions to which every person can relate and recognize.
As an older reader, I shed tears when Odysseus' faithful dog Argos recognized him, gloried in the bloodlust of Odysseus's revenge on the suitors. I was surprised anew about how peace needed to be restored to Ithica after his palace had been fumigated to remove the stench of death, and the bodies of the sons of Ithica had been removed. The images of the Cyclops and the Scylla, which initiated me to these stories as a young child have been replaced by a fuller portrait of a man I have come to respect, and appreciate as a contemporary.
