100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Thanks for supporting our 100% NZ-owned independent bookstore ❤️ Overnight NZ-wide Delivery 🚀

The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide

A Character-by-Character Guide to the Story of Odysseus
Brief Description
The story of Odysseus continues to capture the popular imagination from fiction like Madeline Miller’s Circe to Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film that’s already selling out theatres: and this guide based on the character profiles of the most important figures in the tale goes beyond the recap... Read More
Format: Hardback
$5000

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Gods! Monsters! Warriors! And one man meeting, battling, and braving them all. The Odyssey: An Illustrated Guide takes readers on an insightful and illustrated journey character-by-character through Homer’s epic.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The story of Odysseus continues to capture the popular imagination from fiction like Madeline Miller’s Circe to Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film that’s already selling out theatres: and this guide based on the character profiles of the most important figures in the tale goes beyond the recap to explore the narrative with a focus on the heroes, deities, and monsters that drive the classic tale.

The classic story of The Odyssey, told through portraits of its characters.

The Odyssey has captured imaginations since it was written in the 8th century, with countless retellings and reimagining of the story of gods, monsters, adventure, and a man’s quest to return home. This guide helps readers to explore the epic story in a new way through character profiles exploring the story’s most important characters.

With 40 compelling entries set in story order and accompanied by beautiful full-colour images, this guide will please readers with profiles exploring key figures from Penelope and Menelaus, to the gods Circe and Poseidon, to monsters like Scylla and the cyclops Polyphemus.

With dozens of important characters, storylines, and plot points, The Odyssey is a complex tale: but this book breaks it into a clear, perfect opportunity for a character-based reference to help readers, musical fans, and moviegoers understand this ancient tale.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781507226452

Publisher: Adams Media Corporation

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 02 July 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Adams Media Corporation

Illustration: 4-color with illustrations and map

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Charli Vince

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 203.0mm

Weight: 397g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Doug Metzger is the host of the hit Literature and History Podcast, a long-form, single-narrator show where he has produced about three-hundred hours of content on ancient literature, around eighty of which focus on ancient Greek literature. Having covered not only Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey, but also centuries of later Greek and Latin literature influenced by these early epics, Doug brings panoramic knowledge of The Odyssey’s history and legacy to this project, as well as a good dose of humor! Doug’s podcast has been featured on Literary Hub, Pacific Standard, The Paris Review, The American Scholar, Harvard’s Sound Education, and elsewhere.

Also by Doug Metzger

View all
  • The Odyssey Coloring Book
    For almost 3,000 years, the Odyssey has captured imaginations with seafaring adventure, romance, friendships, as well as feats of heroism and of bloody revenge. The tale of Odysseus’ long and eventful journey home remains one of the greatest epics ever told, inspiring new translations, adaptations and retellings year after year. Now, this colouring book gives fans a front row seat...
    Paperback
    $4700
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks

More from Religion & Spirituality

View all
  • New Release
    2027 Witch's Diary - Southern Hemisphere
    From the bestselling authors of Spellcasting, which has now sold over 250,000 copies worldwide, comes the essential witchy journal to plan your days, harness magick, and connect with higher powers. Features include: 8" x 6" (8" x 12" open) Beautiful glossy gold gatefold cover Compact size, perfect to carry in your bag and keep on you throughout the day 12-month...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    2027 Lunar and Seasonal Diary - Southern Hemisphere
    Renowned witch Stacey Demarco helps you get the most out of the moon phases and seasons. This planner includes lunar timings and explanations of the moon phases and their impact on us along with practical magical suggestions to work with the energies of each season.Features include: • 8"" x 6"" planner (8"" x 12"" open) • Spiral binding allows the pages to...
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • NKJV, Gift and Award Bible, Leather-Look, White, Red Letter, Comfort Print
    Commemorate a special accomplishment or event with a gift to be treasured for years to come. The popular and reliable New King James Version with the enhanced readability of Thomas Nelson’s custom NKJV font is now the perfect gift. The NKJV, Gift and Award Bible is a great way to recognise someone for a job well done. This special-occasion Bible...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The King Is Coming
    Bestselling author John Bevere challenges Christians to take a fresh and honest look at one of the most often misunderstood and avoided truths of the Christian faith—the second coming of Jesus. Through personal testimony, biblical accuracy, and practical guidance, readers will be inspired to live a life of spiritual vigilance as they prepare for the glorious return of our King....
    Paperback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Braiding Sweetgrass
    Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a graceful and illuminating study of the wisdom of the natural world, bringing together the knowledge of modern science with the teachings of Indigenous cultures. At its heart, the book explores the interconnectedness between humans and nature, offering profound insights on how this relationship can foster a deeper ecological consciousness. As a botanist...
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    (2)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • KJV Holy Bible: Economy Paperback: Beautiful. Trustworthy. Timeless, Comfort Print: King James Version
    The full text of the KJV with extra helps is an excellent Bible for a new Christian or someone interested in learning more about God. The King James Version of the Bible is the bestselling and most-read English translation of all time. This low-cost Bible with extra helps is perfect for churches and ministries looking to distribute God’s Word through...
    Paperback
    $900
    Elsewhere:
    $1000
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Practice of Not Thinking
    Bestselling author and Zen priest Ryunosuke Koike teaches us how to reconnect with our five senses and move towards enlightenment. What would happen if we learnt to look instead of see, listen instead of hear, and feel instead of touch? With remarkable clarity, Ryunosuke Koike shares the ways we can incorporate Zen practice into our daily life, resulting in a...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • NIV, Holy Bible, Economy Edition, Paperback, Comfort Print
    Hope for your everyday life. The New International Version of the Bible is today’s most popular modern-English translation. This low-cost Bible, featuring extra helps that are ideal for evangelism and an easy-to-read Comfort Print® typeface, is perfect for churches and ministries looking to distribute God’s Word in bulk through their outreach events. Features include: The full text of the accurate,...
    Paperback
    $1000
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • NIV, Gift and Award Bible, Leather-Look, Pink, Red Letter, Comfort Print
    Bibles make great gifts! This leather-look NIV Gift and Award Bible is economically priced so you can share the life-changing Word of God with more people. Perfect for special events or acts of kindness, this gift Bible is arranged in two columns with the words of Jesus in red, along with a presentation page for gift-giving, maps, and other Bible...
    Paperback
    $2200
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Screwtape Letters
    A milestone in the history of popular theology, The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis is an iconic classic on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil. This profound and striking narrative unfolds as a series of captivating letters penned by Screwtape, a senior devil in the Infernal Civil Service, to his eager but inexperienced nephew, Wormwood. Wormwood is...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2200
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Mere Christianity
    Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis is a profound literary work that offers a compelling and articulate exploration of the Christian faith. This timeless classic emerged from a series of radio talks given by Lewis during the dark days of World War II, where he aimed to demystify the essence of Christianity and present a logical case for its core...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2200
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith
    From the bestselling author of Hillbilly Elegy – an intimate account of why Vice President JD Vance strayed from the Christianity of his youth and what led him back to faith. Communion is a spiritual exploration of what it means to be a Christian in all the seasons of life JD Vance has experienced – as a child, a young man,...
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3699
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.