Odyssey Translations in Demand at Finnish Libraries; New Editions Help Buyers

Homer's epic poem, the Odyssey, is experiencing a surge in popularity in Finland, evidenced by long waiting lists for its translations in public libraries. Even with the release of new editions, demand consistently outstrips supply.

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But the epic poem attributed to Homer and written in Homeric (ancient) Greek also interests, because all translations have accumulated a waiting list in libraries.

The earliest Finnish translation, by Otto Manninen from 1924, remains highly coveted. Manninen's virtuosic attempt to replicate the ancient Greek dactylic hexameter in Finnish is praised for its rhythmic quality, though it can be challenging for modern readers. New editions of Manninen's work continue to be published, with the latest appearing in spring 2026.

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If, for example, there was a queue of 15 reservations for the 13 copies of Manninen's translation from 1990 on Saturday midday, it will likely be resolved relatively quickly.

Pentti Saarikoski's 1972 translation, which navigates between prose and free verse, also sees substantial demand. Over 30 copies were acquired by the Helmet library system, with all currently on loan and 47 reservations. Older editions of Saarikoski's work are also in demand, despite fewer available copies.

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A total of 96 Saarikoski reservations were for different editions on Saturday.

Paavo Castrén's 2016 translation, "Trojan War and Odysseus's Wanderings," and English translations, notably Emily Wilson's acclaimed version, are also popular. Wilson's paperback edition has 98 reservations, and her hardcover has 50. Swedish translations appear to have shorter waiting times, with some copies even available.

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Many in Finland read English and Swedish fluently. However, all English translations have a queue, and the largest have accumulated for Emily Wilson's acclaimed edition from the last decade.