The Iliad /

Merrill's new verse translation of the Iliad is the equal of Richmond Lattimore's poetic version (1951) and even Martin Hammond's prose edition (1987) in its fidelity to the sense of Homer's words. Read (preferably aloud) for the quality of its verbal music as a poem in English, it is on a par with Lattimore and with the more beautiful renderings of Robert Fitzgerald (1963) and Robert Fagles (1990). And for sheer readability, it matches Stanley Lombardo's lively translation (CH, Dec'97, 35-1954) while conveying a sense of antiquity through deft, sparing use of archaisms (e.g., "scion"). But what particularly distinguishes Merrill's version is its resourceful approximation in English of the rhythms of the Greek dactylic hexameter. Only Merrill's Odyssey (CH, May'03, 40-5063) and, to some extent, Edward McCrorie's Odyssey (CH, Nov'04, 42-1388) are as effective in this regard. Another plus is the consistent replication of Homer's formulaic repetitions. To vary these, as do most other verse translators, falsifies the true aesthetic power of Homer's epic. In sum, Merrill has succeeded better than anyone since Lattimore in retaining the meaning of Homer's words while ingeniously suggesting the effect of their metrical and formulaic rhythms. A sensitive introduction, bibliographic guidance, and a glossary of names complete the volume. Summing Up: Essential. All readers, all levels. J. P. Holoka Eastern Michigan University

Why another Iliad? Just as Homer's work existed most fully in its performance, so the Homeric texts call periodically for new translations. With this in mind, Fagles offers a new verse rendering of the Iliad. Maneuvering between the literal and the literary, he tries with varying degrees of success to suggest the vigor and manner of the original while producing readable poetry in English. Thus, he avoids the anachronizing of Robert Fitzgerald's translation, while being more literal than Richard Lattimore's. Fagles's efforts are accompanied by a long and penetrating introduction by Bernard Knox, coupled with detailed glossary and textual notes.-- T.L. Cooksey, Armstrong State Coll., Savannah, Ga. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.