Philadelphia‑based classicist Emily Wilson, whose 2017 translation of Homer’s Odyssey became a bestseller and a flashpoint in cultural debates, announced that she is undertaking a full retranslation of the epic. In a Zoom interview with the Associated Press, Wilson explained that the new project is not a revision but a completely fresh rendering, and that she is about halfway through the manuscript.
Why a New Translation?
Wilson said that the passage of time has allowed her to see shortcomings in the earlier work. She noted, for example, that she had over‑used the term “slave” where ancient Greek distinguished among several categories of enslaved people. The upcoming edition will be longer and will aim to better represent the distinct social worlds depicted in the poem.
Scholarly Context
Translators rarely start over on a full‑length text within a decade of publishing an earlier version. Kate Deimling of the American Translators Association said such a move is unusual, noting that most translators make only minor corrections in later editions. Wilson’s decision, however, has been described as “very controversial” by her publisher, Liveright Publishing, which acknowledges the challenges the dual editions may pose for educators.
Reception and Cultural Impact
Wilson’s 2017 translation was praised for making the ancient epic feel modern and accessible, yet it also attracted criticism from some online commentators who labeled it “woke.” The book has sold more than a million copies, and the translation was cited by filmmaker Christopher Nolan as an inspiration for his recent adaptation of the Odyssey. Wilson, however, described Nolan’s film as grandiose, superficial, and at times incoherent.
Beyond the Odyssey
Alongside the new translation, Wilson is releasing a collection of essays titled Crossing the Wine‑Dark Sea. The volume includes assessments of other modern translations, a discussion of the “slut‑shaming” of Helen of Troy, and reflections on how famous quotations—such as those by Robert F. Kennedy after the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.—have been shaped by earlier misinterpretations.
Personal Views
In the interview, Wilson expressed skepticism about the security offered by philosophy, noting that she has little control over how readers receive her work. She also criticized Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series for promoting an ideology that she finds historically questionable, and she linked contemporary pop culture references, such as Cardi B’s “WAP,” to ancient Greek comic poetry to illustrate the timelessness of certain themes.
Looking Ahead
Wilson hopes the new translation will provide educators and readers with a more nuanced understanding of Homer’s world while acknowledging that any translation reflects the translator’s own time and perspective. The project underscores the ongoing conversation about how classic literature is presented to modern audiences.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
