The Iliad

I received a copy of this book for free from Oxford University Press via NetGalley.

This is the only version of The Iliad that I have ever read. (Somehow, I missed that boat in high school.) Therefore, I cannot compare the translation difference, but I can just give you my honest opinion.

The story is a classic. Everyone knows it at least from seeing a movie or reading a synopsis or from history class in high school. I decided it was time to become enlightened and actually read the book. I chose this one because it is a new version. Honestly, I felt like I was reading the equivalent of the King James version of the Bible. The translation is supposed to be one of the most literal translations from a lifelong scholar, Barry Powell. There's a lot to be said for all of his hard work at this literal translation, but it really isn't as easy to follow as I thought it would be. I had to re-read a lot of parts.

But... the introduction that he provides is very lengthy and interesting. It goes into the history of the Greeks and Homer and the Iliad itself - a lot that I have never spent much time learning about. Also, there are footnotes as you are reading that are extremely helpful and insightful.

I would recommend this version of The Iliad to people who are interested in history and who are interested to specifically study the Iliad and the meanings behind the story.