I’ve longed to read the Greek epics. I first read some of Iliad translated by Samuel Butler some years ago, but it was terribly dry and plain, so I put it away. I sold it, and bought a copy of Odyssey I stumbled on in a secondhand bookshop. I’d picked a random page to read, and something about Fagle’s writing style made me feel immediately entranced.
My copy begins with an introduction by Bernard Knox of about 65 pages. I pushed through a few pages, but it seemed pointless to read much of it. When it comes to fiction, I often skip front-matter that is dull, because I’d rather read the book for myself and judge it’s own merits than read the exaltations of another ahead of time.
One point against the book is, mostly at the beginning, I disliked how many of these scenes took place at the dinner table, with details of the dinner preparations, the work of the servants. I didn’t generally dislike it, only at the beginning, up until we finally meet that Odysseus we’ve waited to meet. The audience knows well what to expect of the book, the conclusion is ever-present and inevitable; the fury of a man such as Odysseus could never fall short. Still, there is a magnificent tension built up through every chapter, frustrations piling on through emphasis by the repetitions of scenes and phrases. It all comes to a violent cartharsis once Odysseus reveals himself; the scene of his vengence is potent and inflaming.
The only other thing I’d say wasn’t to my liking, was a couple of the tangential stories felt out of place, and also the absolute final scene. How strange to leave it at Athena declaring the pact of peace; I forgive it because we at least saw Odysseus reunite with his loved ones, so there were no loose ends leftover.
Also, Fagle’s translation work is gorgeous. He retains a poetic form, but does not keep to the hexameter strictly — a good choice because the form cannot be but superficially rendered in English — and uses lines of varying length for poetic effect. His vocabulary is approachable, but rich and visually evocative.
As this is the first classical epic I have completely read, it has made a wonderful impression on me and makes me want to read more. Planning to read Fagle’s Iliad at the end of this year, and would like to look at Pope’s translation of Odyssey, as I’m fond of his poetry, about one year from now.