Archive · 31 Jul 2026
Homer’s Epics Reimagined: Critique of Nolan and Martel
A writer talks about two new stories that try to tell the old Greek tales in a different way.
One is a book by Yann Martel that shows the war from a regular soldier’s point of view.
The other is a movie by Christopher Nolan that focuses on a hero’s personal struggles.
The writer thinks both stories make the big, exciting parts of the original tales smaller.
He says the original stories are great because they show many people and big adventures.
He also says the new stories try to fit the old tales into modern ideas about people and war.
The writer thinks the old stories are still the best way to see the epic adventures.
He encourages readers to go back to the original poems before reading the new versions.
Yann Martel’s novel "Son of Nobody" retells Iliad from a common soldier’s view.
Christopher Nolan’s film adaptation focuses on individual trauma, like PTSD.
The book juxtaposes Harlow Donne’s academic life with the war narrative.
Critics argue both adaptations dilute Homer’s grand scale for modern relevance.
The article praises Homer’s epic scope and warns against over‑personalization.
- Who
- Yann Martel, Christopher Nolan, Harlow Donne, Psoas
- What
- Novel and film adaptations of Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
- When
- March 2023
- Where
- Oxford University, Troy, Ithaca
- Why
- To critique modern reinterpretations of Homer’s epics
- Author
- Yann Martel
- Film Director
- Christopher Nolan
- Novel Title
- Son of Nobody
- Film Title
- The Odyssey
- Subject
- Homer's epics