Emily Wilson’s ‘Odyssey’ became a cultural flashpoint. Now, she’s retranslating the whole thing

PUBLISHED Aug 29, 2026, 8:34 AM ET

Classicist Emily Wilson is creating a new translation of Homer's 'Odyssey', eight years after her landmark 2017 version sold over a million copies. Wilson, the first woman to translate the epic into English, announced she is 'about halfway through' a 'complete retranslation' to correct flaws such as overusing the word 'slave'. The announcement follows a public dispute with filmmaker Christopher Nolan, whose blockbuster adaptation cited Wilson's opening line as inspiration. Wilson wrote a scathing London Review of Books review, calling Nolan's script 'abysmal'. Author Joyce Carol Oates criticized Wilson's 'haughty superiority' and rhetoric, comparing it to 'MAGA folks'. Wilson has expressed regret over framing her critique of the film's use of actors of color but stood by her assessment. The retranslation project is considered a highly unusual move for a translator. The new edition will feature more extensive end notes and is a few years from completion.

By Michael Grant | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 18
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 5
Neutral:: 13

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasizes Wilson's scholarly authority and dismisses Oates' criticism. Center: Focuses on factual reporting of the dispute and retranslation announcement. Right: Insufficient evidence from collected coverage to determine right-leaning framing.