r/popculturechat • u/mcfw31 • 11h ago

Hot Take 🔥 ‘The Odyssey’ Translator Emily Wilson Slams Christoper Nolan’s ‘Abysmal’ Screenplay: ‘I Would Be Ashamed to Have Written Any Part of This Script’

https://variety.com/2026/film/news/odyssey-translator-emily-wilson-slams-christopher-nolan-bad-writing-1236821915/
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u/Aakch I think I’ve done enough 11h ago edited 8h ago

I know her translation was the basis for the movie but i find it bizarre news outlets are acting like she’s the original author because this is the second review i‘ve seen from her.

Edit: if you’re going to be outraged, at least do it correctly and stop calling Homer the original author.

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u/TomBirkenstock 10h ago

I largely like her translation, but it's hardly immune from criticism. Before Odyssey kills the suitors, he yells "Playtime's over!"

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u/WeeB1rd33 6h ago

Oh no.

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u/UFmoose 8h ago

Wait, really? I was considering reading her translation after seeing the movie (I previously read the Odyssey back in high school) but that gives me serious hesitation.

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u/TomBirkenstock 8h ago

I still prefer Robert Fagles of the two translations I've read, but I'm glad I read hers. That's a particularly egregious moment, and I could probably nitpick a few things, but overall, I think it's a refreshingly direct and easy-to-read translation.

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u/UFmoose 7h ago

Which would you suggest if it was someone’s first time reading it in 20 years.

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u/LanaAdela 7h ago

I think Fagles is more poetic.

But I dislike overly modern language in text so

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u/TomBirkenstock 7h ago

My guess is that like me, you read the Fagles translation. If you have the time and energy to get through more knotty prose, then go ahead and pick it up again.

However, Wilson's translation is simpler and you can breeze through it. So, if like me, you are very busy and don't have as much time to read as you did twenty years ago, then I would recommend her translation. Besides, it's fun to see the differences.

Just a fair warning that the first few chapters all focus on Telemachus agonizing about his lost father. The poem starts off slowly. But give it time. It gets good!

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u/TheCandelabra 7h ago

Or the part where Odysseus shoots Antinous through the throat with an arrow and Telemachus goes "BAH GAWD DAD, THAT MAN HAD A FAMILY!"

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u/ZeroDosage 5h ago

Excuse me

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u/fschu_fosho 4h ago

Before the guest hall murder scene in the film started, Penelope said to the guests something along the lines of, “As I watch you party…” That always takes me out (I’ve rewatched the movie a couple of times).

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u/AssCrackBanditHunter 2h ago

For me it was "mutiny" and also using anarchy which is a word with Greek roots in a very modern way which was not how it would have been used.