Emily Wilson Announces Ground-Up Retranslation of The Odyssey Amid Controversy
Emily Wilson has announced a complete, ground-up retranslation of Homer's The Odyssey, distinct from a revision of her 2017 edition. This move follows the massive sales surge triggered by Christopher Nolan's film adaptation and Wilson's subsequent public critiques of the movie. While Wilson embraces the controversy as part of her public role, critics like Joyce Carol Oates have condemned her previous remarks as disrespectful to the film's creators.
Key points
- Wilson is undertaking a 'complete retranslation' rather than a revision, a move she described as 'very controversial' with her publisher.
- Her 2017 translation sold over one million copies and was cited by Christopher Nolan as an inspiration for his film adaptation.
- Wilson previously criticized Nolan's film, calling it comparable to Die Hard and accusing actors of color of playing stereotypical roles, though she later rescinded the latter criticism.
- Joyce Carol Oates publicly criticized Wilson's stance, arguing that translators should be more respectful of others working in good faith.
- Wilson stated that the recent discourse illustrates her lack of control over public reception and that she must accept being misunderstood or disliked.
Background
Wilson's 2017 translation became a best-seller and gained further visibility after Christopher Nolan cited it as an inspiration for his film adaptation. This led to a nationwide surge in interest in Homer's works, with Wilson's edition leading sales. The current retranslation announcement follows a period of intense public debate involving Wilson's critiques of the film and counter-critiques from literary figures like Joyce Carol Oates.
How outlets are covering it
The AV Club highlights Wilson's resilience and the publisher's belief that her new approach will be 'thrilling,' while noting the rarity of a complete retranslation. AP News focuses on the fact that this is a fresh translation rather than a revision. Joyce Carol Oates, as reported by the AV Club, criticized Wilson's previous public statements as beyond the pale, arguing that Wilson, as a translator, should show more respect for others. Wilson herself, in interviews with AP, framed the controversy as a reminder of the powerlessness that comes with public awareness of being misunderstood, and she expressed no fear of the backlash.
Why it matters
The announcement of a complete retranslation by a best-selling translator signals a significant shift in how classical texts are approached in the modern era. It also highlights the complex relationship between literary scholars, film adaptations, and public discourse, where academic authority and popular culture intersect in often contentious ways.
What to watch
Wilson's new translation is expected to be released in the future, though no specific date has been mentioned. The public and critical reception of this new edition will likely continue to be a topic of debate, especially given the previous controversy. The publisher's confidence in the 'thrilling' nature of the new approach suggests that the market is ready for a fresh interpretation of Homer's epic.
- Unfazed by discourse, Emily Wilson is translating The Odyssey , again A.V. Club
- The ‘Odyssey’ Scholar Emily Wilson, a Critic of the Movie, Is Redoing Her Translation The New York Times
- Emily Wilson's 'Odyssey' became a cultural flashpoint. Now, she's retranslating the whole thing AP News
- For Emily Wilson, Translating the Ancients Requires a Dash of Cardi B The New York Times
- Books Odyssey Translator Bedford Gazette
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