Daniel Mendelsohn Speaks to the Epoch Times About His Translation of The Odyssey
Daniel Mendelsohn and his translation of The Odyssey.
Charles Ranlett Flint Professor of Humanities Daniel Mendelsohn’s recent translation of The Odyssey was published last spring. Mendelsohn was interviewed about his translation process by the Epoch Times, discussing what it was like to translate a well-known poem with over 60 previous translations. He says that Homer’s works are “fundamental to our understanding of what it means to be human and understanding our own cultural traditions.” His translation, which matches the meter of the original poem, treats the story as “universal but [...] also the reflection of a particular moment, a particular language, a particular mindset.”
Mendelsohn’s previous book An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic, a memoir of teaching The Odyssey to his father, was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Newsday, Library Journal, and others. He teaches in Bard’s Literature program.
The Literature Program at Bard emphasizes cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity, challenging national, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries.
Post Date: 01-12-2026
Mendelsohn’s previous book An Odyssey: A Father, a Son, and an Epic, a memoir of teaching The Odyssey to his father, was named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Newsday, Library Journal, and others. He teaches in Bard’s Literature program.
The Literature Program at Bard emphasizes cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity, challenging national, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries.
Post Date: 01-12-2026