Famed "Odyssey" translator to speak at Nashville's Parthenon
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Our Parthenon even has a parking lot. Photo: Joe Sohm/Getty Images
"The Odyssey" has captured the world's attention this summer: Christopher Nolan's adaptation of the Greek epic became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, spurring plenty of critical praise but also some backlash.
- Fans who want to dive deeper into the conversation need look no further than The Parthenon in Centennial Park.
The latest: Scholar Emily Wilson, famous for her translation of "The Odyssey," will be speaking at The Parthenon on Sept. 1. Tickets are still available.
The intrigue: Nolan read Wilson's 2017 translation before delivering his own take on the epic poem. And while Wilson was initially enthusiastic about seeing the movie, she has emerged as one of its most outspoken critics.
What she said: Wilson wrote a blistering takedown in the London Review of Books where she said Nolan's script "lacks psychological, emotional, political and ethical depth."
- "Its narrative structure is gimmicky," she wrote. "The writing is abysmal.”
Yes, but: She has acknowledged some of the movie's merits.
- "Whatever one thinks of the film as a work of art, it's doing some good in the world, by generating big conversations, bringing new audiences to the cinema, and new readers to ancient literature."
Zoom in: Wilson's Nashville event will focus on her book about her work as a translator, "Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea." The book is, appropriately enough, an overview of the challenges and complexities of translating ancient works.
- The conversation is sure to be thought-provoking for fans — or critics — of Nolan's adaptation.
Between the lines: The Parthenon, Nashville's replica of the ancient Greek temple to Athena, is an obvious match for Wilson and "The Odyssey."
- The goddess of wisdom plays a pivotal role in the epic poem and in Nolan's film, where she is portrayed by Zendaya.
If you go: The event, which is presented by Parnassus Books and The Parthenon in partnership with Centennial Park Conservancy, starts at 6:30pm on Sept. 1.