Show Notes
Emily Wilson is the first woman to translate The Odyssey into English. Emily is passionate about making Homer and the Classics accessible to everyone, and she wears her love for them on her sleeve, almost literally!
Emily Wilson's new book is Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea published by Profile/Allen & Unwin Watch the video version of this episode on the RNZ website on YouTube or TVNZ+. Season 2 Episode 4 In this episode: 02:48 The art of translation: revisiting The Odyssey 08:58 The Odyssey’s relevance today 12:08 Misinterpretations 14:57 Classics in modern society 21:01 Christopher Nolan's adaptation 26:50 Understanding Homer 34:38 Sappho and the ambiguity of desire 39:14 Was Helen of Troy a victim or a villain? 48:31 Tattoos 52:25 The challenges of translation
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
More from Kim Hill Wants To Know
Richard Dawkins is in conversation with Kim Hill. Half a century after The Selfish Gene the controversial evolutionary biologist reflects on his theories and argues AI could already be conscious. Richard Dawkins is appearing in Auckland on November 20, 2026, at the Aotea Centre and in Wellington on November 23, 2026, at the Michael Fowler Centre.
Professor of Chinese Studies Kerry Brown is in conversation with Kim Hill, explaining why, although Taiwan is a geopolitical powder keg, doing nothing about the conflict it could spark is the best approach. Watch the video version of this episode on the RNZ website on YouTube or TVNZ+. Season 2 Episode 4 In this episode: (00:00) Taiwan: a geopolitical powder keg (15:13) Historical context to democracy in Taiwan (33:54) Identity and cultural heritage (46:26) Global implications Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details
Rory Cormac knows a lot about deliberately spreading propaganda for political gain. The professor of international relations specialises in the study of covert action and secret statecraft. He speaks to Kim Hill about his latest book Fakers. Watch the video version of this episode on the RNZ website on YouTube or TVNZ+. Season 2 Episode 3
BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner talks with Kim Hill about being shot and left for dead by Islamist gunmen, adapting to life in a wheelchair and writing truthy fiction. Watch the video version of this episode on the RNZ website on YouTube or TVNZ+. Season 2 Episode 2
Punk rocker, lead singer of The Undertones, Feargal Sharkey speaks to Kim Hill about reinventing himself. The Irishman has become one of the most vocal advocates for cleaning up Britain's waterways and served as chairman on one of England's oldest angling clubs. Watch the video version of this episode on the RNZ website on YouTube or TVNZ+. Season 2 Episode 1 Feargal Sharkey recommends TV mini series Dirty Business, see more about the series and stories from the real whistleblowers and victims from the Channel 4 documentary series on YouTube.