Success of the film 'The Odyssey' boosts book sales in Britain

The massive success of Christopher Nolan’s film “The Odyssey” has rekindled interest in Britain in Homer’s renowned epic, extending its impact beyond cinema screens to the publishing and audiobook markets. Data from Nielsen IQ showed that sales of “The Odyssey” surged by 1,400% during the first four weeks of July, coinciding with the film’s release. Waterstones bookstore chain reported a sales increase exceeding 1,000% for Emily Wilson’s translation, while demand remained strong across various other translations. Sales of works inspired by Greek mythology, such as “The Iliad,” also rose. Meanwhile, Spotify announced a 310% increase in searches for Homer’s works. The film, starring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland, has generated strong global box office revenues of $640 million in two weeks.

On the other hand, the film has sparked critical debate. Translator Emily Wilson and historian Mary Beard argued that the movie failed to convey certain psychological and intellectual dimensions that distinguish the original literary text, while some academics suggested that its success could help attract more students to the study of classical literature.