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Cover of Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature

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Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature

What changes when an ancient poem arrives in modern English? Emily Wilson explores that question through essays on Greek and Roman literature and the decisions that shape its afterlives. Moving among epic, tragedy, comedy, and lyric, she examines how translators handle rhythm, obscenity, gender, violence, and cultural distance. Helen of Troy, Aristophanes, and Roman adaptations of Greek writing become occasions to reconsider familiar assumptions about the classics. Drawing on her own work with Homer, Wilson invites readers to notice what each translation reveals, reshapes, or leaves out.

Publisher: Liveright Publishing Corporation
Publication date: 2026-09-01
Format: Paperback
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9781324099406

Subjects

Literary Criticism Literary Criticism: Ancient and Classical Language Arts & Disciplines: Translating & Interpreting History: Ancient – General

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Interview with the Author

8 available interview links

1. Vibe Check — The Ancient Greeks Would Have Loved WAP (with Emily Wilson)Checked

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2. Free Library Podcast — Emily Wilson | Crossing the Wine-Dark SeaChecked

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3. Commonwealth Club of California Podcast — Emily Wilson, Translotor of the Iliad and the Odyssey: Crossing the Wine-Dark SeaChecked

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4. Politics and Prose Presents — Emily Wilson — Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature - with Claire CatenaccioChecked

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5. NPR's Book of the Day — 'Odyssey' translator Emily Wilson on her book of essays 'Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea'Checked

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6. Poured Over — Emily Wilson on CROSSING THE WINE-DARK SEAChecked

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7. Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews — Ep 493: Emily WilsonChecked

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8. The Book Club — Emily Wilson: Journeys Through Ancient LiteratureChecked

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