Emily Wilson's Odyssey translation hits million-copy milestone after Nolan film release
Emily Wilson's 2017 translation of The Odyssey has sold over one million copies in the United States, a surge attributed to the popularity of Christopher Nolan's recent film adaptation.
University of Pennsylvania classics professor Emily Wilson’s 2017 English translation of Homer’s The Odyssey has surpassed one million copies sold in the United States, according to publisher W.W. Norton & Co. The sales increase follows the release of Christopher Nolan’s cinematic version of the epic, which opened to $263.7 million worldwide.
Wilson said the film will introduce the ancient story to audiences who might not otherwise encounter it, adding that Nolan’s name “is a big name” that can generate new interest. The movie stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, Tom Holland, Zendaya, John Leguizamo and Lupita Nyong’o.
Louise Brockett, head of communications at Norton, confirmed that domestic sales across all formats exceeded one million copies as of July 2, 2026. Wilson, who received a MacArthur fellowship for her work, noted that most new translations of The Odyssey typically sell only a few thousand copies, making the current figures “stunning.”
Wilson’s translation is noted for using contemporary language and for avoiding gender-biased terms present in earlier versions. She emphasized that the work is not intended as a feminist statement, but rather as a more neutral rendering of the text.
The film has also sparked online controversy over casting choices, leading Wilson to add a “misogynistic trolling” contact option on her website. Despite the criticism, she said the response has encouraged many young readers, especially women, to explore classical literature.
Wilson is currently preparing a new, longer translation project titled Crossing the Wine-Dark Sea: Journeys Through Ancient Literature, scheduled for release in the fall.