A Guide To Reading Homer - The Iliad & The Odyssey

Thinking of tackling Homer? Look no further, in this video I will talk you through what these epic poems are, what to expect from different translations, some alternitive ancient literature to try and some retellings that I highly recommend.

Videos to check out next:

Channels Mentioned:

Books Mentioned:

The Iliad by Homer
The Odyssey by Homer
Medea by Euripides
Lysistrata by Aristophanes
The Aeniad by Virgil
Circe by Madeline Miller
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
The House of Names by Colm Toibin

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Lots of Love,

Gem xx

[bouquinsbooks]

Great video! I will definitely read some retellings, though maybe not right now. 😄

[AliceandtheGiantBookshelf]

Loved this video. It was great to hear the three translations back to back. I just read what I had, which was the Penguin same as yours. If I read it in verse one day, I plan to get the Fagles as I would like to experience that now I know the story. Enjoyed reading both of these with you and the group. I’m so glad to have read Homer and that it was nowhere near as difficult as I thought it might be. I will check out some of those recs. I found a book about the sacking of Troy the other day in the library by Simon Armitage, and I really wanted to read it but it’s a play and I just didn’t have time at the moment. Definitely going to read the Madeleine Miller books, and A Thousand Ships. I think you’d love The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker which is mostly about Briseis who was the ‘prize’ Agamemnon took from Achilles, but also about the other women in the camp. Have you read The Song of Achilles? Great video!

[novellenovels]

This is such a great video as I’ve not read Homer or the Iliad yet but will now love l for them 🥰

[spreadbookjoy]

This is an excellent video Gemma. It is really useful for anyone who wants to read the classics but is afraid to try! I have a recommendation for you and it is an older book by Marion Zimmer Bradley called The Firebrand. It is so little known in comparison to The Mists of Avalon but it is another of her attempts to put a feminist slant on a myth. This is all about Cassandra, daughter of Priam who was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo but, because she refused to be his lover, he cursed her so that she would always see the future but no-one would ever believe her. How bloody cool is that for a story? I think you'll really enjoy this Troy re-telling. It's not in any way literary, but it is a great book. I am linking your video in my one that comes out at 2pm today! I filmed it on Monday, so you are mentioned in the video, but not for this. But this is relevant!

[the_creepy_geek]

I don't think I'll ever read either of these but I loved hearing you talk about them! Great video sweet!!