Thoughts about reading fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books, new and old
My Really Old Classics Choices
4Oct2008 Filed under: Challenges Author: Rebecca Reid
I’m excited to delve into the world of Really Old Classics. By the end of next July, I hope to read five works. I don’t know what the others will be, but I intend for three of them to be:
- The Illiad by Homer
- The Odyssey by Homer
- The Aeneid by Virgil
Yes, the basics.
Want to read some too? Find out about the Really Old Classics Challenge here.
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- Really Old Classics Challenge Reviews
- Challenges, A Personal Challenge, and a Giveaway!
- Thoughts on Blogging and Reading + HTR&W Giveaway Reminder
- HTR&W Winner + BAFAB Week
- Fun Facts about Homer
- Lists and Challenges Updates
- Reading Journal, October 6
- The Iliad by Homer: The Story
- Tags: really old classics
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9 Responses to “My Really Old Classics Choices”
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About this blog
This blog is a collection of my thoughts about books and reading and reviews of books I've read. I'd love to hear your thoughts, too. Please share!
From October 2008-July 2009, I'm hosting the Really Old Classics Challenge.
Also, as an ongoing personal challenge, I'm reading all the works on the How to Read and Why reading list compiled by Harold Bloom. I'd love for you to either join me in this challenge or to follow along with me as I try to learn to read well.
Kathy
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 8:38 am
I would have to be in the right mood to tackle those!
Rebecca Reid
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Kathy, Yes, I’m intimidated. But that which does not kill you makes you stronger, right?
Chain Reader
Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I will probably read the Aeneid also. If it’s hard to get through, it may help knowing someone else out there is trying it too!
Rebecca Reid
Monday, October 6, 2008 at 4:38 am
Chain Reader, that’s one of the reasons I want to make it into a “challenge”! So we’re in it together.
Robert Burdock
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 10:54 am
Hi Rebecca,
Having read all three for a Classics module at university I’d definitely say that the Aeneid is by far the best of the three. That’s not saying that either of Homer’s classics are bad, because they’re certainly not. It’s more to do with Virgil’s classic being so good. So good in fact that it even made it on to my Books Through Time that Have Truly Touched Me list at Flashlight Worthy.
Anyway enjoy the challenge Rebecca. I look forward to following your progress.
Warmest
Rob
Rebecca Reid
Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Robert, Thanks for the insight! I think I’m going to start with Homer’s two first and then get to The Aeneid. Which translations did you read?
Robert Burdock
Friday, October 17, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Rebecca - Apologies for the delay in replying! Translations:
Aeneid - Penguin Classics (0140449329)
Illiad - Stanley Lombardo Translation (0872203522)
Odyssey - Stanley Lombardo (0872204847)
I have three different translations of Odyssey and Lombardo’s (the one recommended for the course, is by far the best)
Warmest
Rebecca Reid
Sunday, October 19, 2008 at 10:28 am
Robert Burdock, Thanks for the translation recommendations! I’m starting The Illiad first so I will make sure to find Lombardo’s translation!
Tuesday
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Rebecca - I loaned my library’s copy of The Aeneid yesterday, and I’m planning on starting it sometime today. I wish I’d done some research on translations beforehand! The copy I have with me now is (a dated) prose translation, which I don’t mind for now, seeing as I’ve never read Virgil before. Maybe I’ll try the Lombardo later on - I also want to read it in verse!