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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.
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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.
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.
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.
This jigsaw brings together Odysseus' famed journey in one epic scene. Each reference from the tale is highlighted and explained in an accompanying fold-out poster with text by an expert author. 1000-PIECE PUZZLE that measures 48.5 x 68 cm (19 x 27 in.) when completed. INCLUDES A FOLD-OUT POSTER with an introduction to the Odyssey and descriptions of all the characters featured. STUNNING ILLUSTRATION by best-selling jigsaw illustrator Adam Simpson. LAURENCE KING has been capturing imaginations and inspiring creativity in new and unexpected ways for over 30 years, with playful and eye-catching games, gifts and books.
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 epic final chapter to Stephen Fry's outstanding retellings of the Greek Myths. Troy has fallen. After 10 years of war, the Greeks make their way back to their own lands - but what homes now await them? Agamemnon must return to his wife Clytemnestra, who has been nursing her rage since he sacrificed their daughter to the gods for a favourable wind. Her revenge will know no bounds. Meanwhile, Odysseus has angered the god Poseidon and he is cursed to wander the seas, facing angry monsters and possessive demi-gods as he attempts to return to Ithaca and his patient, clever wife Penelope.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Ithaca by Claire North weaves a tale set in ancient Greece, exploring the time after Odysseus' departure. It delves into the life of his wife, Penelope, as she navigates the politics and power dynamics while waiting for his return, reminding readers of the untold stories of those left behind amid legend and myth. It's a story of resilience, cunning, and the quiet strength of women in a world dominated by men.
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...
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes offers a retelling of the Trojan War through the voices of the women affected by the conflict. The narrative weaves together the perspectives of queens, wives, goddesses, and sisters, giving a fresh lens to their struggles and resilience amid the chaos and aftermath of the war. This historical fiction highlights the roles and emotions of women, often sidelined in traditional tellings of these ancient stories.
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.
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:...
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.
UPLIFTING, PRACTICAL AND SURPRISING WISDOM FROM THE MILLION-COPY BESTSELLING CLASSICIST'Wonderful. Thoughtfully chosen, carefully explained and beautifully expressed' NATALIE HAYNES'A literary phenomenon' TLS'She leaves her readers inspired, invigorated and sincerely grateful' TELEGRAPHWhy do some loves endure while others fade? Is happiness something we can learn? Why do some things feel like work and others like leisure?Every new page of Consolations offers a thought-provoking idea about life - from friendship and family arguments to ageing and narcissism. Renowned classicist Irene Vallejo shows us how each of these ideas has its roots in ancient times, drawing on the wisdom of Aristotle and Seneca, as well as lesser known philosophy and history. Each entry brings a surprising insight, and helps us to think differently about our daily life. These are fascinating little...