Penn professor Emily Wilson's translation of 'The Odyssey' has more than a million readers including Christopher Nolan

Key Points:

• Classics scholar Emily Wilson, known for her acclaimed 2017 English translation of The Odyssey, has seen a surge in interest and sales following Christopher Nolan's star-studded film adaptation of the epic poem, which grossed $263.7 million globally on opening weekend.
• Wilson, the first woman to publish an English translation of The Odyssey, emphasizes that while this milestone is notable, many women scholars have made significant contributions to classical studies, and she aims to highlight their work as well.
• Her translation is praised for its modern, accessible language and for removing gendered biases present in earlier versions, such as replacing derogatory terms for servant women with more neutral language.
• Despite facing online backlash and trolling related to casting choices in Nolan's film, Wilson remains focused on her scholarship and celebrates the growing interest among diverse and younger audiences in ancient literature.
• Wilson is currently working on a longer, new translation of The Odyssey and will publish a collection of essays this fall titled Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea, exploring her translation process and the relevance of ancient texts today.