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Long before Christopher Nolan turned it into a blockbuster in the summer of 2026, The Odyssey was the original epic. After a massive opening weekend that blew past expectations, the film proved that humanity’s oldest war stories and sea voyages can still completely hook a modern audience.
People leaving the theaters are becoming instant history buffs. Online book groups and social feeds are filling up with moviegoers who want to compare Nolan’s take with the original ancient texts and the actual archaeology behind Troy.
If you walked out of the cinema looking for more, you are in good company. From classic translations of Virgil's The Aeneid to deep dives into the collapse of the Bronze Age, here are the best books to read while the movie is still making waves.
The Odyssey is an epic poem attributed to Homer, focusing on the adventures of Odysseus as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War. The story explores his encounters with mythical creatures, divine interventions, and the challenges he faces in his quest to reunite with his family in Ithaca. It captures themes of perseverance, cunning, and the enduring human spirit.
The Odyssey by Homer follows the epic journey of Odysseus as he struggles to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Facing numerous trials, mythical creatures, and divine interventions, Odysseus's voyage is one of endurance, cunning, and the unwavering drive to reunite with his family. This classic tale explores themes of heroism, loyalty, and the human spirit.
Mythos by Stephen Fry retells the gripping stories of Greek mythology with wit and charm. Fry brings the tales of gods, heroes, and monsters to life, making ancient myths accessible and entertaining for modern readers. It's a playful and engaging journey through the legends of Olympus and beyond.
Circe by Madeline Miller is a reimagining of the myth of Circe, the enchantress from Homer's Odyssey. The novel explores her transformation from a nymph to a powerful witch, delving into themes of identity, power, and self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of ancient Greek mythology, it portrays her encounters with gods, monsters, and mortals.
When Emily Wilson's translation of The Odyssey appeared in 2017—revealing the ancient poem in a contemporary idiom that was "fresh, unpretentious and lean" (Madeline Miller, Washington Post)—critics lauded it as "a revelation" (Susan Chira, New York Times) and "a cultural landmark" (Charlotte Higgins, Guardian) that would forever change how Homer is read in English. Now Wilson has returned with an equally revelatory translation of Homer's other great epic—the most revered war poem of all time. The Iliad roars with the clamour of arms, the bellowing boasts of victors, the fury and grief of loss, and the anguished cries of dying men. It sings, too, of the sublime magnitude of the world—the fierce beauty of nature and the gods' grand schemes beyond the ken of mortals. In Wilson's hands,...
The Odyssey by Homer is an epic poem that follows the hero Odysseus on his adventurous journey home after the Trojan War. Along the way, he encounters mythical creatures and faces numerous challenges, all while longing to reunite with his family in Ithaca. It’s a timeless tale of perseverance, cleverness, and the enduring human spirit.
The Iliad by Homer is an epic poem that recounts a critical period during the Trojan War, focusing on the hero Achilles. The narrative explores themes of honour, wrath, and fate as it depicts the intense battles and personal conflicts among Greek and Trojan warriors.
Heroes by Stephen Fry is a captivating retelling of ancient Greek myths, focusing on the heroic tales of figures like Heracles, Jason, and Perseus. Fry combines humour and detailed storytelling to bring these legendary characters to life, providing an engaging and accessible journey through the adventures and trials of these mythic heroes.
In The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds, readers embark on a visually stunning journey alongside Odysseus as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War. The graphic novel brings to life the trials he faces, including encounters with mythical creatures and divine beings, while capturing the essence of his quest for home and identity. Hinds' adaptation provides an engaging retelling of this classic epic, making it accessible to younger audiences.
Troy by Stephen Fry retells the epic story of the Trojan War with wit and clarity. It delves into the causes, major events, and key figures involved, bringing together mythology and history in a captivating narrative. Fry's engaging style makes this ancient tale accessible and entertaining.
Mythology by Edith Hamilton provides a comprehensive overview of classical mythology, exploring the myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome. The book delves into the lives of gods, goddesses, heroes, and monsters, offering insight into their stories and the cultural significance they held. Hamilton's narrative is engaging and informative, making ancient myths accessible to the modern reader.
The Aeneid by Virgil follows the journey of Aeneas, a Trojan hero, as he escapes the fall of Troy and embarks on a mission to found a new city in Italy. Along the way, he faces divine interventions, battles, and personal trials, all while his destiny unfolds as the forefather of Rome.
The Iliad/The Odyssey Boxed Set by Gillian Cross is a retelling of two of the greatest ancient Greek epics, tailored for young readers. The set includes stories about the Trojan War, highlighting heroic figures like Achilles and the cunning adventures of Odysseus as he tries to return home after the war. These narratives are engagingly presented, blending thrilling action with themes of bravery, loyalty, and the complexities of human nature.
The Aeneid by Virgil is an epic poem that chronicles the journey of the Trojan hero Aeneas as he escapes the fallen city of Troy. After enduring numerous trials and visiting various mythological realms, Aeneas strives to fulfil his destiny of founding a new homeland, ultimately leading him to the shores of Italy. This foundational tale of struggle and destiny explores themes of duty, fate, and piety, blending myth with historical allegory.
Giving voice to a woman condemned by history, this debut is an epic feminist retelling of the story of the notorious Spartan queen, Clytemnestra. 'When vengeance calls and the gods stop watching, what do we do to those who harm the people we love?' Wife. Mother. Fighter. Conspirator. Queen. CLYTEMNESTRA. This is the story of a daughter betrayed by her father. Who watches her sister be destroyed by violence and rape. Whose child is sacrificed to ensure her family's power. Who fights as fiercely as any warrior. Who falls in love with her husband's enemy. Who is hungry for otherworldly retribution against both men and gods... This is Clytemnestra, the most notorious heroine of the Ancient World. Know her name. Condemned by Homer and the Greek poets as...
The Odyssey by Homer is an epic poem that recounts the long and adventurous journey of Odysseus as he strives to return home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. During his voyage, he encounters various mythical creatures and divine beings that test his wits and endurance. The narrative explores themes of heroism, loyalty, and the enduring struggle against fate.
From actor and writer Felicia Day, a sapphic graphic novel about the forgotten sister of Helen of Troy, for fans of Lore Olympus and Girl Goddess Queen. Helen. Clytemnestra. Timandra. Three famous sisters and one shared curse – that each will betray their husband. As the youngest sister, Philonoe is desperate not to follow in their footsteps. After pleading with the gods, Philonoe is sent on a quest by Aphrodite, to retrieve three impossible objects. She's expecting battle, but instead encounters women who have already lost everything to the gods. Every step of the way she’s accompanied by Artemis, who doesn’t understand exactly why she’s so drawn to Philonoe’s quest. Will Philonoe become a victim of her own fate, or does she have the power to change it?...
A magnificent new translation of The Odyssey by best-selling author and classicist Daniel Mendelsohn. With his Odyssey, best-selling author and classicist Daniel Mendelsohn has created a momentous new work, hailed by classicists and poets alike—a translation to stand with those of E. V. Rieu and Robert Fagles. Setting aside the streamlining, modernizing approach of many recent translations, Mendelsohn artfully reproduces the epic's formal qualities—meter, enjambment, alliteration, assonance—and in so doing restores to Homer's masterwork its archaic grandeur. His expansive six-beat line, far closer to the original than that of other recent translations, allows him to capture each of Homer's verses line for line, without sacrificing the amplitude and shadings of the original. The result is the richest, most precise, and most musical Odyssey in English, one that fully...
The exhilarating follow-up to Pat Barker's The Women of Troy and The Silence of the Girls. After ten blood-filled years, the war is over. Troy lies in smoking ruins as the victorious Greeks fill their ships with the spoils of battle. Alongside the treasures looted are the many Trojan women captured by the Greeks—among them the legendary prophetess Cassandra, and her watchful maid, Ritsa. Enslaved as concubine—war-wife—to King Agamemnon, Cassandra is plagued by visions of his death—and her own—while Ritsa is forced to bear witness to both Cassandra's frenzies and the horrors to come. Meanwhile, awaiting the fleet's return is Queen Clytemnestra, vengeful wife of Agamemnon. Heart-shattered by her husband's choice to sacrifice their eldest daughter to the gods in exchange for a fair wind to Troy, she...
A stunning gift edition of the age-old tale of Odysseus and his journey. This epic poem by Homer, believed to have been written between the eighth and ninth centuries BC, continues to be essential reading for young and old alike. The Odyssey follows the Greek hero Odysseus on a ten-year journey back to his home in Ithaca after fighting in the Trojan War. The challenges he encounters along the way, both natural and supernatural, continually test his character and endurance. Run-ins with Cyclops, Medusa, and the Sirens are only a few of the obstacles he must overcome to see his wife and son once again. Publishing just in time for Christopher Nolan's epic action fantasy film adaptation, this deluxe edition of The Odyssey features: An elegant faux-leather cover...
The Odyssey by Gillian Cross is a retelling of the classic Greek epic where young readers follow the adventures of Odysseus on his journey home after the Trojan War. His journey is fraught with mythical creatures, divine interventions, and numerous challenges that test his wit and perseverance. The adaptation captures the essence of the original tale while making it accessible and engaging for a younger audience.
The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough is a vivid retelling of the Trojan War, woven from multiple perspectives including leaders, heroes, and everyday citizens. The novel delves into the complex motivations and relationships of its characters, blending elements of myth and history. Through a rich tapestry of voices, the story explores themes of love, honour, and fate in the ancient world.
An epic journey of adventure, endurance, and the search for home In The Odyssey, Homer crafts one of the oldest and most influential adventure stories in Western literature. The poem follows Odysseus, the cunning king of Ithaca, as he battles gods, monsters, and temptation on his ten-year quest to return home after the Trojan War. Facing shipwrecks, the wrath of Poseidon, and the allure of the witch-goddess Circe, Odysseus’s journey is a timeless exploration of loyalty, perseverance, and the human spirit. As Penelope and Telemachus struggle to defend their home from unruly suitors, Odysseus must rely on his wit and courage to overcome every obstacle. The Odyssey’s vivid storytelling, mythical landscapes, and unforgettable characters have inspired readers for nearly three millennia. Inside the book: The legendary adventures of...
Greek Tragedy is a collection featuring plays by the iconic ancient playwrights Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus. These masterpieces explore themes such as fate, revenge, and the human condition, set against the backdrop of Greek mythology and turbulent family dynamics. Through their compelling characters and dramatic plots, these tragedies capture the essence of human emotion and societal conflict in ancient Greece.
The Homeric Hymns is a collection of ancient Greek poems attributed to Homer, celebrating various Olympian gods and goddesses. These hymns explore mythical tales and divine narratives, combining elements of history, culture, and religion to provide insight into ancient Greek beliefs and customs. With rich storytelling and poetic artistry, the hymns illuminate the grandeur and complexity of the deities they praise.
Homer's The Odyssey like you've never seen it or read it before! Classics in Graphics: The Odyssey has been adapted into a graphic novel by expert authors, Steve Skidmore and Steve Barlow, with illustrations by Martin Bustamante. Readers join our hero, Odysseus, as his epic journey swirls across the page, dodging sea monsters, one-eyed giants and greedy humans before it's too late... This series has inclusion at its heart, flinging wide the doors of literature for all to enter and understand. With dyslexia-friendly design for readers aged 10+; inclusive art so anyone can relate to iconic roles; snappy simplified text; introductory material to set the scene; heaps of material at the back, looking at the work's themes, language, publication, a timeline of relevant history, and more! Classics available:...
She's a queen, a witch, and a murderer. But she'll do anything to protect her children... From an award-winning author comes a story of feminist revenge, perfect for readers of Madeleine Miller and Natalie Haynes. All murders must be avenged. While the rest of Greece mourns for the war that has taken their husbands away, Clytemnestra fears the day it will bring Agamemnon back. When her husband willingly sacrifices their eldest daughter to appease the gods, Clytemnestra vows to do whatever it takes to protect her remaining children. But history turns strong women into monsters, and in saving her family, she risks losing them altogether and becoming the most hated woman in Greece...
Gillian Cross's brilliant retellings and Neil Packer's clever illustrations bring to life Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, two of the greatest stories ever told. Multi-award-winning author Gillian Cross makes two of the greatest stories in the world come alive for children in her strong, clear, deceptively simple retellings, which are faithful to the spirit and structure of Homer’s epic poems. This 320-page bind-up in a friendly format comes complete with an introduction and a generous selection of Neil Packer’s fabulous illustrations in black and white. Ideal for any fan of mythology and perfect for the KS2 classroom.
Christopher Nolan's, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot using brand new IMAX® film technology. The film stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Lupita Nyong'o, with Zendaya and Charlize Theron. The film opens in theatres everywhere on 17 July 2026.
Most people know Odysseus for his great intelligence and Trojan Horse trick. But once upon a time, Odysseus was just a little boy. Sure, he was the prince of Ithaca, and he grew up to go on the most epic ten-year journey in Greek mythology, but in lots of other ways he was just like you. This is his story. Packed with facts from the Greek mythology and graphic art panels, Little Myths: Odysseus is the perfect series for mythology-loving kids.