Guidelines and Reading Schedules

[jb]

Guidelines and reading schedules

The schedules have been posted below for both books. I may try to do one more schedule with both books being read congruently (if I have time to get that done before January 1).

So some guidelines...I am not big on making hard and fast rules. everyone reads at a different pace. If you are reading or have read in the past one or both books, feel free to comment in the threads. Any version or translation is pretty much acceptable (as one member put it, it is interesting to see which version everyone picks). As well, the Odyssey was a story meant to be told and heard aloud. It is more than acceptable to try to find an audio version to get the feel for the story being told as well. I was able to get the audio version from the library, and I have the paperback version just in case it is needed to for reference.

If at any time there are any questions, please feel free to post in this thread or message me directly. This first challenge may have a bit of a learning curve.

We may some good choices (although February is a short month so Ulysses will be a challenge - but that is a good thing - right?!), and I hope everyone jumps on board and gives it a try.

I will start the threads for each sections of the books as time gets closer and feel free to start the comments. As always - remember there could/will be spoilers in the threads so be aware of that. Also, if you think you are posting a spoiler, try to mark the comment as such.

Please be kind and understanding of everyone's different reading paces. As well, don't feel discouraged if you get behind. The threads will always be here for comments later on.

Have fun!

[jb]

The Odyssey by Homer translated by Robert Fagles

Below is the reading schedule for The Odyssey. I used the version translated by Robert Fagles. Please feel free to use any version you wish or which suites your reading style. I based the reading schedule on the 31 days in January. The first ten days includes the introduction which is rather large (77 pages) in my version. If your version does not have a large intro, then feel free to move onward. As well, this is just a schedule, you are more than welcome to read faster or slower depending on your own reading pace and schedules.

Reading Schedule for The Odyssey:

January 1 – January 10: 10 DAYS - Introduction through Book 5
• Introduction
• Book 1: Athena Inspires the Prince
• Book 2: Telemachus Sets Sail
• Book 3: King Nestor Remembers
• Book 4:The King and Queen of Sparta
• Book 5: Odysseus – Nymph and Shipwreck
January 11 – January 17: 7 DAYS –Book 6 through Book 11
• Book 6: The Princess and the Stranger
• Book 7: Phaeacia’s Halls and Gardens
• Book 8: A Day for Songs and Contests
• Book 9: In the One-Eyed Giant’s Cave
• Book 10: The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea
• Book 11: The Kingdom of the Dea
January 18 – January 24: 7 DAYS – Book 12 through Book 18
• Book 12: The Cattle of the Sun
• Book 13: Ithaca at Last
• Book 14: The Loyal Swineherd
• Book 15: The Prince Sets Sale for Home
• Book 16: Father and Son
• Book 17: Strangers at the Gates
• Book 18: The Beggar-King of Ithaca
January 25 through January 31 7 DAYS – Book 19 through Book 24
• Book 19: Penelope and Her Guest
• Book 20: Portents Gather
• Book 21: Odysseus Strings His Bow
• Book 22: Slaughter in the Hall
• Book 23: The Great Rooted Bed
• Book 24: Peace

[jb]

Ulysses by James Joyce

Reading Schedule for Ulysses

Ok my ebook version of Ulysses actually uses parts and episodes to break up the book. Now the paperback version I have is the 1922 text and contains no episodes at all. The book is only broken up by parts. I am going to use my ebook version (nook) to break up the reading schedule. I will include the approximate page numbers to help with the breaks (hopefully). This is just a schedule – it is flexible. Feel free to go at your own pace (faster or slower).

January 25 – January 31: Intro and Part 1 (this is a very short part of the book and it overlaps the last week of The Odyssey).
• Part I: The Telemachiad – approximate pages 1 – 44 (the paperback goes to page 50)
o Episode 1: Telemachus
o Episode 2: Nestor
o Episode 3: Proteus

February 1 – February 22: Part II (the longest part of the book)
• Part II: The Odyssey – approximate pages 45 – 505 (the paperback is from 53 to 565)

February 1 – February 6: around 113 pages
o Episode 4: Calypso
o Episode 5: The Lotus Eaters
o Episode 6: Hades
o Episode 7: Aeolus
o Episode 8: The Lestrygonians

February 7 – February 13: around 173 pages
o Episode 9: Scylla and Carybdis
o Episode 10: The Wandering Rocks
o Episode 11: The Sirens
o Episode 12: The Cyclops

February 14 – February 22: around 174 pages
o Episode 13: Nausicaa
o Episode 14: The Oxen of the Sun
o Episode 15: Circe

February 23 – February 29: Part III
• Part III: The Nostos – approximately 158 pages (the paperback is from 569 to 732)
o Episode 16: Eumaeus
o Episode 17: Ithaca
o Episode 18: Penelope

[Alana]

I don't see the schedule, did it not post, or are my settings not showing it?

[Alana]

Are we reading them concurrently, or one after the other?

[jb]

I have not posted the reading schedules yet. While I own both books in ebook format, I plan to either get physical copies from the library or bookstore to figure out the reading schedule (I have been lazy today).

[Alana]

Oh, ok, I thought maybe I just wasn't seeing the text for some reason. :)

[jb]

The reading schedule for The Odyssey has been posted. I will post the reading schedule for Ulysses later today.

[jb]

The reading schedule for Ulysses has been posted.

[Lisa]

Having read The Odyssey, the chapters for Ulysses make more sense.

[Kaycie]

Who all was going to read and participate in the Ulysses discussion? I'm still debating this one, but the number of readers will help!

[Lisa]

Me, I've started reading it. Plan to listen to audiobook in my car again. Found that kept me up to speed with The Odyssey

[Renee]

I'm in. Ulysses is what drew me to this read (I'd read The Odyssey before.) I've been abiding it all my life and am hoping that the group dynamic will make it less intimidating and more comprehensible. :) I also have an audio for car listening but I suspect I'll have to reread sections each night anyway.

[Alana]

I'm reading it, although I just finished the Odyssey and I'm taking a break with 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea first. (Although, come to think of it, that's a seafaring voyage as well....)

[jb]

I will also be tackling Ulysses. I have it on my nook as I could not find an audio version.

[SusanK]

I'm reading it. I'm SO glad we read The Odyssey first. And a critical summary is helpful. The language is indeed wonderful. (Not the bawdy stuff yet)

[Kaycie]

Ok, awesome! At least 5 readers, and 6 if you count me, so I'm in!

[Betsy]

I'm in! Already so confused...probably because I'm listening to the audiobook...will need to download the book to re-read sections....loved loved re-reading The Odyssey ...looking forward to reading everyone's comments on Ulysses!

[jb]

I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this selection.

[Renee]

I've got an audio read by Donal Donnelly. It has been great so far. I'm checking in with the written word but DD is helping me keep the guys straight. (Although, I'm not yet convinced that they're not aspects of a split personality. That's not DD's fault though.)

[jb]

The weekly reading threads are up for Ulysses. I apologize for the delay - hectic week. Please feel free to comment and read along at your own pace. I know this can be a daunting book. I plan to start my reading adventure on this chunky book tomorrow.

Happy reading!

[Lisa]

jennbunny wrote: " The Odyssey by Homer translated by Robert Fagles

Below is the reading schedule for The Odyssey. I used the version translated by Robert Fa..."

Hi JB,
The group seem to have really enjoyed The Odyssey. Would it be possible to read The Iliad at some point as a buddy read?

[jb]

Yes absolutely. I will send out an email and see if others are interested this weekend.

[Lisa]

jennbunny wrote: "Yes absolutely. I will send out an email and see if others are interested this weekend."

Thanks

[Everyman]

Lisa wrote: "jennbunny wrote: " The Odyssey by Homer translated by Robert Fagles

Below is the reading schedule for The Odyssey. I used the version trans..."

I was actually thinking that the Iliad would make a great selection for the sword part of the Pen and Sword challenge. But I hadn't come up yet with a great Pen companion for it. I considered Plato's Republic, but would this group go for that? Any suggestions?