The Odyssey: A New Translation by Daniel Mendelsohn

Daniel Mendelsohn, a best-selling author and classicist, presents a momentous new translation of Homer's epic poem, The Odyssey. This version is lauded by classicists and poets alike, aiming to stand alongside esteemed translations by E. V. Rieu and Robert Fagles. Mendelsohn eschews modernizing approaches, instead meticulously recreating the formal qualities of the original, including meter, enjambment, alliteration, and assonance, to restore the archaic grandeur of Homer's masterpiece. His expansive six-beat line, closely mirroring the original, allows for a line-by-line rendition that preserves the amplitude and nuances of Homer's verses. The result is a rich, precise, and musical English translation that captures the oral poetics of the work while vividly bringing to life the gripping adventure, profound human insight, and powerful themes that continue to resonate centuries after its composition. This edition is further enhanced by an extensive introduction and the most comprehensive notes and commentary available, positioning it as the authoritative English-language version of this endlessly enjoyable classic.

Key Features/Benefits:

• A new, authoritative English translation of Homer's The Odyssey by Daniel Mendelsohn.
• Faithfully reproduces the formal qualities of the original epic, including meter, enjambment, alliteration, and assonance.
• Features an expansive six-beat line that closely follows the original verses.
• Rich, precise, and musical rendition that conveys oral poetics.
• Brings to life the adventure, human insight, and resonant themes of the epic.
• Includes an extensive introduction and comprehensive notes and commentary.
• Shortlisted for the Anglo-Hellenic League Runciman Award 2026.

Specifications:

• Author: Homer
• Translator: Daniel Mendelsohn
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English, Ancient Greek
• Print Length: 576 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Publication Date: April 23, 2026
• Edition: 1st
• ISBN-10: 0241733596
• ISBN-13: 978-0241733592
• Item Weight: 500 g
• Dimensions: 15.2 x 3.3 x 23.3 cm

This edition of The Odyssey offers a deeply engaging reading experience for both seasoned scholars and new readers, providing unparalleled access to one of the foundational works of Western literature.