The Classical Reflections book group has been going through interesting changes. We started reading contemporary literary works based on classical texts and history, but members soon expressed interest in reading Greek and Roman texts in translation. Accordingly we have read some poems of Sappho, selections from Hesiod’s Theogony, some of the Homeric Hymns, and the play Prometheus Bound. Our next adventure will be to read Homer’s Odyssey over three meetings, and we are all very grateful to the Friends of the Library for providing copies of Barry Powell’s new translation. The Odyssey has inspired novels such as Joyce’s Ulysses, The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood, and Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier; poems such as Tennyson’s “Ulysses” and Cavafy’s “Ithaka;” films such as O Brother, Where Art Thou?; and more. Who knows what our next adventure will be?

 No background in classics is expected. If you would like to join or have questions, please contact book group leader Mary-Kay Gamel, mkgamel@ucsc.edu, 707-934-7118.