Post #2100148

Within the past few days, you may have seen my toot about finishing #EmilyWilson’s amazing translation of Homer’s “The Odyssey.” The truth is, I still wanted *more* … and today, the mailman delivered Wilson’s translation of Homer’s “The Iliad,” which Wilson worked on during the six years following publication of “The Odyssey.” I haven’t started in yet, but there’s no question that I am indeed getting the “more” I asked for … her Iliad is a substantially lengthier volume than her Odyssey. She makes no bones about her personal inclinations: “I’m an Iliad person. For sure.” I’ll share some quick stats comparing the two. Both books are published by W. W. Norton & Co., with *very* similar layouts. Here’s the page count for each: The Odyssey: 592 pages The Iliad: 848 pages Each book includes (in addition to the poem) the following: Introduction Translator’s Note Maps Notes Glossary Acknowledgements and The Iliad also provides a Genealogies section. The Iliad’s page count for the poem alone (610 pages) is almost 50% higher than The Odyssey’s (420 pages), and its pages are significantly denser, and a bit less easy on the eyes – if The Odyssey is set in 10 point text, The Iliad is set at roughly 9.6 points. The leading is tighter, as well …  one column in The Odyssey has 34 lines, while the same column height in The Iliad fits 38 lines. Longer, denser, and a bit closer to Wilson’s heart; I can’t wait to get started. I’ll keep you posted in the weeks and months to come.