(Very) Old Poetry in New Translations
Anne Carson’s translation of the surviving work of the seventh-century poet, Sappho is absolutely brilliant. Carson’s skill as an award winning poet and classicist is on full display in these translations. As an added bonus, this edition is bilingual- altering pages between the Aeolic Greek text and Carson’s English translations. - BECCA
Emily Wilson’s Odyssey is by far my favorite translation of Homer. This version is infinitely more readable than any other that I’ve encountered. Translated in Iambic Pentameter, Wilson’s Odyssey really gets the poetry across. My favorite part of Wilson’s version, though, is the agency that her word choices afford the women of the piece. She remains true to the original text without mapping certain modern misogynies onto the text that other translators have. I can’t recommend her work highly enough. - BECCA
Maria Dahvana Headley, a science fiction and fantasy writer turned Old English scholar, has created a stunning new take on the Old English epic, Beowulf. Headley translates Beowulf as the ultimate tale of “bro-culture.” Through this lens, the nebulous “Hwæt!” (a notably difficult exclamation to translate) becomes “Bro!” Headley’s translation feels fresh and exciting--a welcome surprise for this story, whose original manuscript (though not original date of composition) can be placed between 975 and 1025 AD. - BECCA
Sarah Ruden is both an incredible and prolific translator. She’s also one of the only translators who could ever make me enjoy the Aeneid (a controversial opinion, I know.) The Revised and expanded edition comes with a great new introduction and some incredibly helpful notes. - BECCA