Book 1 of The Iliad

[Sue]

Thanks Haaze :-)

This conversation/thread reminds me in some way of when I was much younger but I think I am in many ways more ready for Homer now.

[Haaze]

I wonder if one ever is ready? Perhaps we just think about it differently building new perspectives? I feel a sudden urge to fill the numerous holes in my classical education while partaking of these conversations. Besides, reading Jane Harrison's frank little memoir yesterday didn't exactly help. What about you, Sue?

[Sue]

I'm reading modern and the one classical at present but I do want to read more of the "ancients." I haven't really read them, other than The Odyssey, since college and my recall is limited. But I have so many other books I also want to read. The prioritizing is the difficulty for me.

[Haaze]

I share your literary angst....

[Sue]

I have the Harrison ahead of me!

[Haaze]

Sue wrote: "I have the Harrison ahead of me!"

Mary Beard's book?

[Sue]

Haaze wrote: "Sue wrote: "I have the Harrison ahead of me!"

Mary Beard's book?"

Yes

[Haaze]

Yay! I think I will put it ahead in my reading queue so I will tackle it as soon as I finish my Cora Sandel novel. Jane Harrison is an interesting character.

[Sue]

Haaze wrote: "Yay! I think I will put it ahead in my reading queue so I will tackle it as soon as I finish my Cora Sandel novel. Jane Harrison is an interesting character."

Let me know and if possible, maybe I can read it when you do. I'm reading multiple books at once all the time now and never seem to catch up.

[Haaze]

Same here - I know the catch up feeling.....

[Sue]

Haaze wrote: "Same here - I know the catch up feeling....."

There's a lot of us here at GR!

[Kathleen]

Sue wrote: "Haaze wrote: "Same here - I know the catch up feeling....."

There's a lot of us here at GR!"

Ah, yes. I too want to fill in those missing pieces, but one mythological story leads to another and before I know it I've forgotten the first one, the one that led me to the research in the first place! But what a fun playground all of these stories are. :-)

[Sue]

I have a feeling that Kris has begun a major journey for many of us. I am now seriously thinking about how to work classical works more regularly into my reading. I have many on my tbr and want to delve into them more often.

[Kris]

I've been considering keeping this group going past the Emily Wilson read if some people would like to continue exploring classical works and other works inspired by them. I'm happy to do that if some people are interested!

[Haaze]

Definitely!

[Sue]

Me too!

One of the ones I've wanted to read is the Annals of Tacitus. I downloaded one edition for my Kindle but haven't started it yet. And there are others like Gilgamesh, etc.

[W.D.]

Sue wrote: "I have a feeling that Kris has begun a major journey for many of us. I am now seriously thinking about how to work classical works more regularly into my reading. I have many on my tbr and want to ..."
That would be grand, if y'all can wait for slow-pokes!

[Kathleen]

I would love that, Kris!

[Tamara]

Count me in! I was hoping the group would continue after Emily Wilson. I would love to do the Hymn to Demeter with this group. And Gilgamesh and the Hymn to Inanna. And oh so many others.

[Kris]

This is great!

So, here's another question that you should all feel free to ignore if you're too busy. Would any of you be interested in joining me in moderating the group? My work schedule is pretty crazy over the next month and a half in particular, and even without that, given how big the group has grown, it would probably be good to have more than one moderator. I don't anticipate moderating to be too time consuming, since we have so many old GR hands participating, but in case something crops up, or members want a new thread, or anything else happens (like discussion threads being hidden because of group settings, which just happened to Trish), I'm a bit worried about having only one moderator. If any of you are willing, please message me.

Even if you're all too busy to moderate (which I understand, so if that's the case, please don't worry), I'm hoping that all of you, especially Tamara, Lily, Haaze, Sue, and Kathleen, will let me know ideas for group reads, especially after we finish the group read of the Wilson translation of The Odyssey. You all have such great ideas -- I think the group is off to the great start it is because of your participation, engagement, and expertise. So, thank you!