tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post7394500251517519032..comments2023-07-10T01:17:13.383+10:00Comments on Brona's Books: The Odyssey and the Female VoiceBronahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-17549408860420606252014-04-27T16:37:16.499+10:002014-04-27T16:37:16.499+10:00I found some statistics for Australian book review...I found some statistics for Australian book reviews thanks to the Stella website <a href="http://thestellaprize.com.au/resources/the-stella-count/" rel="nofollow">here</a>Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-54266886833920845432014-03-26T21:17:02.234+11:002014-03-26T21:17:02.234+11:00I love how our diverse (& seemingly unrelated)...I love how our diverse (& seemingly unrelated) reading experiences often throw up connections.<br /><br />I've been spotting feminist issues in all the stories I've been reading lately. The Invention of Wings were easy to spot. Today was an old childhood favourite - Flambards - the roles of women were clearly defined (as well as that of the paid staff & second sons!) I seem to recall though that the next 2 books turn some of these ideas on their head as WW1 changed societies expectations.<br /><br />Thank you for appreciating my research too. I love doing it (& may get a little obsessive about at times!) & I love knowing that someone is reading it and getting something out of it as well :-)Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-49260810458944314382014-03-26T15:02:57.247+11:002014-03-26T15:02:57.247+11:00Perhaps it was good that you were distracted and f...Perhaps it was good that you were distracted and finished with "the translation conundrum"! ;-) You are so right that the translation reflects the translator as much as the original author. If I'm going to read a book once, I'm rather choosy about translators but if I think I'll read it more than once, I'm not so picky and will try to read a few different ones.<br /><br />Congratulations for finishing The Odyssey! I would give you a Greek literature medal, if I could! I finished a couple of days ago. I'm so glad that I read it for a second time. It came alive for me this time (the first time I read it right after The Iliad, so perhaps I was a little burnt out) and it will go back again on my TBR list!<br /><br />I'm reading Candide at the moment and even Voltaire makes a comment about translation: "Cacambo explained his witty remarks to Candide, and they seemed witty even in translation. Of all the things that amazed Candide, this was by no means the least amazing." Candide has experienced numerous astounding things already so Voltaire's point is quite obvious. I had to laugh when I read it.<br /><br />What I so ungraciously neglected to mention in my first comment is that I really enjoyed your research and thoughts about translated material. It's a subject that is so interesting to me and your posts really get me thinking!Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-83628734030690027672014-03-24T18:06:48.716+11:002014-03-24T18:06:48.716+11:00Thanks for joining in the discussion Cleo.
I start...Thanks for joining in the discussion Cleo.<br />I started off this post enraged by feminist issues, but finished up fascinated by translation dilemmas. <br />My working knowledge of The Odyssey is pure layman's, so I love that you, with your deeper understanding of the text have added more food for thought into this debate.<br />When you see all the possible ways to translate this one small section, I have come to doubt the validity of using a translated text to prove any point!<br /><br />And - WAHOO - I finished The Odyssey and have my post ready to publish in April :-)<br />How are you progressing?Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-73448213162184317682014-03-23T09:38:04.197+11:002014-03-23T09:38:04.197+11:00Someone in another group of mine brought up Beard&...Someone in another group of mine brought up Beard's comments and we had a lively discussion about them. Now I'm not saying women have never been discriminated against, demeaned or silenced, but I did take issue with Beard's article. The example she used from the Odyssey, in the book is used as a device to show the transformation of Telemachos as he enters manhood. He needed to show control and initiative in that particular situation and Penelope was the recipient to demonstrate this change, yet it could have been anyone. I don't think you can take Telemachos' words literally. Later on in the book, his mother scolds him for not showing proper hospitality to strangers and he is very deferential to her and apologizes. So Beard's example is very weak. She also used examples from Ovid's Metamorphises, which really made me shake my head ……… it is much like arguing that children should not go near gingerbread houses ……… So while I think her subject was valid, many of the examples were out of context just for her to prove her point, which was a little disappointing; good topic, poor execution.<br /><br />How are you doing with your spin read, Brona? Are you making any progress? Cleohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13152128642971612433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-64428278398487301562014-03-16T08:51:39.740+11:002014-03-16T08:51:39.740+11:00Thanks Laura & Vicki - it's nice to know I...Thanks Laura & Vicki - it's nice to know I'm not ranting into a vacuum :-)Bronahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11110584237325026052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-25614657301482752242014-03-14T18:13:22.077+11:002014-03-14T18:13:22.077+11:00Fascinating, Brona: yet another reminder that we m...Fascinating, Brona: yet another reminder that we must all speak up all the time. skiourophilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08200877834536477400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1483877654474162845.post-58282369307055269862014-03-13T19:49:29.013+11:002014-03-13T19:49:29.013+11:00Really interesting post. Thanks!Really interesting post. Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com