Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea

Journeys through Ancient Literature

Emily Wilson author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Profile Books Ltd

Publishing:4th Jun '26

£12.99

This title is due to be published on 4th June, and will be despatched as soon as possible.

Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea cover

Emily Wilson reflects on the power of language to evolve our understanding of the past

How do we give old words new voices? What must a translator lose - and might she gain - when she moves between languages, bringing ancient stories to modern life? Reflecting on the inspiration, interpretation and (mis)appropriation of words from Antiquity to today, Emily Wilson invites us to explore the translator's art and mind - and gives a wholly fresh insight into the joys and quandaries of her own work. From Athenian comedy and Rome's love of Greek culture to Han Kang's novels, Cardi B's lyrics and the discoveries she made whilst translating Homer, this is a playful and fascinating voyage into the promise, possibility and constant renewal of our founding classical culture.

Praise for Emily Wilson: 'Wilson translates as though translation is a moral choice you owe fidelity not to the author, nor to the protagonist, but to the truth behind the words and the times. She scrapes away at old encrusted layers, until she exposes what lies beneath * Financial Times *
A masterpiece of translation -- Rowan Williams
Wilson's version of this nearly three millennia-old poem is so important ... combines intellectual authority with addictive readability * Daily Telegraph *
Beautiful, fluent, memorable * New Statesman *
A magisterial translation * Mail on Sunday *

ISBN: 9781805225850

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

224 pages

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