The Iliad

This edition of Homer's The Iliad comes with a beautiful cover and deckled edging, translated by Emily Wilson, perhaps my favourite translation of The Iliad.

A brilliant recent translation of a work that is at the very beginning of western literature. Emily Wilson is just about the best translator working today. This volume has a very useful introduction with notes and maps. It reads smoothly.

On my bookshelf, I probably have most translations of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey and they are all very good, though some perhaps better than others depending on who you ask. However, these two recent translations by Emily Wilson are absolutely fabulous; beautifully written in a language that is modern and for me captures the essence of the original works. They are also highly attractive texts. Both I have enjoyed reading and both I would recommend. I hope you find my review helpful.

Well wrapped and delivered promptly. A good read and a lovely book on the shelf.

Beautiful work, anyone interested in Homer’s masterpieces can now enjoy reading it!

previously ordered paperback, but print was virtually unreadable it was so small. This is somewhat better, but when compared to The Odyssey, not as large. Also need to be aware (yes, I know, large book) that it is super heavy. Not for those with weak wrists.

First- this is a beautifully bound and presented book, a delight to hold and read. The print is clear and the maps well laid out. The notes and glossary useful and readable. Second- Oh boy, what a struggle! I read a similar sized book about the Dissolution of the Monasteries in two weeks. I started the Iliad at the beginning of December and still haven’t finished. Don’t get me wrong, the descriptive prose is amazing and the interaction with the gods explains a lot of what happened, I’m not new to Greek mythology been reading it since a child, “The Tanglewood Tales” for one. But, the endless lists of names, the anatomical descriptions of killing strikes, and if I have to read another “well made spear/sword/ ship” I think I’ll scream. Yes I get it was meant to be recited, where repetition is key. But it just becomes tedious in this case. I so wanted to like The Iliad after reading all the positive reviews and press comments. But, sorry just not for me.

In the introduction Emily Wilson explains the reasoning behind her translation: “Many modern English translations of Homer use contorted, unnatural language that seems to me quite alien to the experience of the Greek. Many versions create a reading experience that mirrors how first-year language students labor valiantly through each word, but have only a foggy notion of what it all means.” Emily Wilson's Iliad is a translation for the modern reader making it accessible to everyone, especially those who would have loved to read Homer but as she points out been put off by the archaic language of previous versions. There are also extensive notes, a glossary and an introduction well worth reading. It is also beautifully presented with 'French flaps' and 'deckled edging' giving it an antiquarian look and feel. (It isn't as some reviews have presumed just badly cut pages.)

Calidad del papel mala, como en estos tipos de libros en inglés, eso me lo esperaba, pero cortado sin guillotina, lleno de rebordes, con varias paginas dobladas que al abrirlas eran más grandes y que el libro cerrado se parecía a la foto de otro que también lo devolvió, como yo. ¿Sería ese el mismo libro que me enviaron después de rechazarlo él por defectuoso?

A leitura é suave, gostosa e muito direta, sem prejudicar o conteúdo e a proposta original da obra. Melhor tradução disponível!

Very nice. Must have in the shelf

Tutto perfetto

Emily Wilson’s translation of The Iliad in hardcover delivers something that a lot of versions miss—it lets the story feel immediate without sanding down its brutality. The first thing that stands out is how controlled and deliberate the language is. Like her Odyssey, the verse is clean and readable, but here it carries a heavier weight. There’s a steadiness to the rhythm that fits the subject matter—war, pride, grief—and it builds a kind of pressure as you move through the text. Nothing feels ornamental for the sake of it. What I appreciated most is how human the characters come across. Achilles isn’t just a legendary warrior; he’s volatile, wounded, and often difficult to sympathize with. Hector feels grounded in responsibility and inevitability. Even smaller characters are given just enough clarity that their deaths don’t blur together. The violence isn’t glorified—it’s specific, physical, and often uncomfortable to sit with. Wilson also does a strong job with the emotional undercurrent of the poem. The grief runs through everything, and it’s not treated as an afterthought. Moments of mourning, rage, and exhaustion feel just as important as the battles themselves. It gives the whole work a kind of gravity that lingers even in quieter scenes. Another thing worth noting is how she handles repetition and epithets. Instead of feeling redundant, they come across as intentional, almost ritualistic, reinforcing the structure of the poem without dragging down the pacing. The hardcover edition itself is solid. Good weight, durable binding, and a layout that supports the verse rather than crowding it. It feels like a book you can sit with for a long time without it becoming physically tiring to read. If you’ve found The Iliad difficult or distant in other translations, this version makes it far more accessible without simplifying it. And if you already know the text, it’s still worth reading for how clearly it brings out the psychological and emotional stakes behind the conflict. Overall, this is a powerful, grounded translation that treats the epic not as a distant legend, but as a deeply human story shaped by anger, loss, and consequence.