Can Anyone Recommend A Good Translation Of The Odyssey?

I am seriously considering reading The Odyssey next year. Like a lot of you, I spend a good deal of time haunting used book stores, am constantly coming across copies of this work, am sorely tempted to pick up a copy when I see one (particularly when I see a nice-looking Penguin Classics edition for 25 cents!), but frankly have no idea what I am looking for in terms of a translation. I tend to prefer clarity over stylistic beauty in translations (at least for an initial read), but I am open to anything that I find engaging on some level. Any pointers, fellow readers?

This thread made me go for Richmond Lattimore and I'm certainly satisfied with it. That's not the only thread I've seen here that touches the subject—maybe a search will help.

Looks like an excellent place for me to start. Thanks, darsu!

Seconding the nomination of Lattimore. Definitely the best translation I've come across, especially RE clarity and faithfulness, although stylistically it's not bad either.

My vote goes to the Robert Fagles translation. To me, it's more modern (easier to read) and has a better pace to it. There are comments about it on the thread linked by @darsu. If you prefer clarity over stylistic beauty, this may be the one for you. I also liked the Stanley Lombardo translation, but that may go further toward spoken English than you want as a starter. It certainly is engaging.

I read the Fagles translation and it seemed easy enough.

I also am a fan of the Fagles translation.

Great stuff, folks. I never fail to be amazed at my fellow LTers erudition and generosity. Thank you and keep it coming!

BTW - I see that the Alexander Pope translation of The Odyssey is freely available on several websites. Anyone have any thoughts on that one?

IF I can remember how to get back to this message, I will tell you the name of the translation that son-in-law recommended. He teaches, is a classical scholar of sorts (St. John's graduate, so I guess that makes him a scholar) and anyway the one he lent me was excellent. Be nice to read it in Greek, eh?
Cyss

I've read the Robert Fagles and the Robert Fitzgerald translations, and I definitely preferred the Fagles. Of course, these were both 15-odd years ago, so I don't remember any specifics about why.

>9 Cyss: & 10

Thanks, folks.

>10 fyrefly98:

You can always star the topic for easier location later - just click where it says "Star this topic" at the top of this page.

I did that . Thank you.

You no doubt have already found your translation. The two translators that were recommended to me were Robert Fitzgerald which is well known and the other was Rachel Lattimore.

I have a feeling that I read the Lattimore. Both are in poetry form as was the original as I am sure you already know. Sorry to take so long.