Christopher Logue (1926–2011)

It turns out that there is, perhaps, such a thing as translation. Logue's control of English verse and deep understanding of Homeric structures, that is, how theme is expressed through form (repeating epithets, but not using the Greek epithets themselves; repeated scenes but not stock hexameters; theophanies that bring the Olympians to life; gore) produces a compelling "account", as he calls it, of parts of Homer's epic. He is ruthless like the blind bard, his iambs are almost silky, he lights up thousand-years-gone traditions with an incandescence that modern readers can see by.

I've long loved Richard Lattimore's translation (yes, yes Fagles and Hughes, too) but they seem to be more trans-scribers of the words, more like taking a picture of the text that ends up being developed in English. Logue, though, Logue finds the heart of Homer and shoves it into your chest. Truly an accomplishment. Onward to All Day Permanent Red and Cold Calls.

Plenty of people have quoted passages from the work, so I'll refrain. You must rush out to get your hands on a copy. Go!… (mehr)