Community Invited to Explore 'The Odyssey' Through Book Club, Film Discussion

LOGAN — After Christopher Nolan's film adaptation introduced new audiences to "The Odyssey" this summer, Utah State University is inviting students, faculty, staff, and community members to take a deeper dive into the ancient epic through a semester-long book club and discussion series. Hosted by the Department of History, Cultures and Ideas, the program will explore the themes, characters, and cultural legacy that have kept Homer's story relevant for thousands of years.

The book club will meet throughout the fall semester and culminate with a community screening and discussion of Nolan's film adaptation Dec. 11 in the Russell/Wanlass Performance Hall.

"We started this book club because of the excitement around Christopher Nolan's new adaptation," said C. Jacob Butera, assistant professor of classics at USU. "The new film has garnered a lot of conversation and controversy, and we hope that by reading the book and then watching the film, the audience can engage more deeply in the changes that Nolan made and why."

Open to all, the book club will meet from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 1, Nov. 5, and Dec. 3 in Room 201 of the Mehdi Heravi Global Teaching and Learning Center on USU's Logan campus. Organizers are also developing virtual participation options for statewide audiences. The first 52 registrants will receive complimentary copies of the book courtesy of Penguin Publishing.

The program arrives at a moment of renewed public interest in the ancient epic, demonstrating how the humanities can help audiences engage more deeply with contemporary culture through enduring stories and ideas.

"All of the excitement around ‘The Odyssey’ right now is a great opportunity for the classics and for the humanities more broadly," Butera said. "There is still clearly a lot of interest in the ancient world and its stories."

Those wishing to learn more can listen to Butera's recent appearance on Utah Public Radio's Access Utah, where he discussed "The Odyssey," the field of classics, and the continued study of ancient literature.

Written nearly 3,000 years ago, the epic poem follows the hero Odysseus as he journeys home after the Trojan War, facing monsters, temptations, and personal trials along the way. Its themes of perseverance, family, identity, and belonging continue to resonate across cultures and generations.

"We have a classic hero's tale as Odysseus overcomes numerous challenges so that he can get back home to his wife and son," Butera said. "These are human themes that are relatable as much to the modern world as they were to the ancient."

Butera believes studying the ancient world can provide valuable tools for understanding contemporary society.

"For students and lifelong learners alike, the ancient world provides us a lens through which to better understand ourselves and our own times," he said. "And, perhaps even more importantly, these stories can provide us the vocabulary we need to discuss difficult subjects and ideas with those around us. It's a great way to build community and tear down barriers."

The series also introduces students, faculty, and community members to USU's newest classics faculty member. Butera joined the university this year after teaching at several institutions across the country and completing graduate studies at Duke University.

"I came to the classics a bit by accident," he said. "As is so often the case, one professor made all the difference."

Inspired by a series of mentors who encouraged his interest in the ancient world, Butera went on to study classical languages and cultures, travel extensively to archaeological and historical sites across the Mediterranean, and build a career dedicated to teaching and scholarship.

"I really hope that I can share with my students the same sorts of experiences that led me here," he said, "whether they want to pursue a career in the field or are just interested in learning more."

Registration for the “A Semester of The Odyssey” book club and the Dec. 11 film screening is available at artsci.usu.edu/events/semester-of-the-odyssey.