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Hearing Homer's Song
336 pages, 2021
biographies & memoirs
997 booksIn this literary detective story, Robert Kanigel gives us a long overdue portrait of an Oakland druggist's son who became known as the "Darwin of Homeric studies."
So thoroughly did Milman Parry change our thinking about the origins of Homer's Iliad and Odyssey that scholars today refer to a "before" Parry and an "after?"
Kanigel describes the "before," when centuries of readers, all the way up until Parry's trailblazing work in the 1930s, assumed that the Homeric epics were "written" texts, the way we think of most literature, and the "after" that we now live in, where we take it for granted that they are the result of a long and winding oral tradition.
Parry made it his life's work to develop and prove this revolutionary theory, and Kanigel brilliantly tells his remarkable story--cut short by Parry's mysterious death by a gunshot wound at the age of thirty-three.
In Hearing Homer's Song, Robert Kanigel invites us to explore the world of Homer's epic poetry. He takes us on a journey back to ancient Greece, where we can see how these timeless tales have shaped literature and culture throughout history.
Kanigel emphasizes the importance of oral tradition in preserving Homer's works. He suggests that the power of spoken word, memory, and repetition played a crucial role in keeping these stories alive for generations. It's a fascinating look into the ancient storytelling techniques.
The book also explores Homer's profound influence on modern literature. Kanigel shows how the themes, characters, and narratives found in Homer's works continue to resonate with readers today, inspiring countless authors and artists.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Hearing Homer's Song is the exploration of Homer's identity. Kanigel digs into the ongoing debate about who Homer was, or if he even existed at all. It's a fascinating mystery that adds an extra layer of intrigue to his works.
Finally, Kanigel highlights the universality of Homer's themes. Despite being written thousands of years ago, the themes of love, war, honor, and heroism in Homer's works are still relevant today. This book encourages us to take a fresh look at these ancient texts and find our own connections.