By Naomi
Christopher Nolan’s epic fantasy adventure movie adaptation of the epic The Odyssey is in cinemas on July 17th, 2026. It features an all-star cast, including but not limited to: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Zendaya.
The Odyssey is one of the oldest surviving works of literature, from the 8th century BC. Composed by Homer, it’s a sequel to The Iliad, which depicts the final weeks of the Trojan War. In The Odyssey, Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, must make his way home (a perilous journey of ten years) to his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. Meanwhile, Penelope is fending off suitors who are competing for her hand in marriage, since Odysseus is presumed dead.
There are, of course, many, many translations and editions of The Odyssey.
There’s the classic 1996 translation by Robert Fagles, which is more poetic than literal.
A recent translation, by Daniel Mendelsohn, reproduces The Odysses’s formal qualities, aiming to be more faithful to the archaic epic.
Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of The Odyssey is the first complete published translation of the epic into English by a woman. It is an accessible, simple translation and a fresh interpretation. Wilson’s translation is vividly written, using more modern, simple language. She also showcases Homer’s humor, while maintaining the gravitas of the story. Apparently, this translation is what Matt Damon, the actor portraying Odysseus in the 2026 movie, based his characterization in.
Stephen Fry’s Odyssey is the fourth and final installment in his series of Greek mythology retellings. It is best read after Troy, which tells the story of the Trojan War. Fry’s retelling is very readable, funny, and quite a page-turner, making it perfect for those who are just getting in to Greek mythology. As a bonus, Fry narrated the audio-books in this series himself, and they are excellent.
Considering that The Odyssey is millennia old (and thus in the public domain), it stands to reason that there are a lot of different editions of the epic. From simple to extravagant, below is just a selection of pretty editions! Click on the cover for more information about a particular edition.
For an inside look at the filming of The Odyssey, Filming The Odyssey will be published in August 2026. It offers exclusive behind-the-scenes, visuals from the film, concept art, research material, and interviews with the cast and director! You can pre-order a copy here.
