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The Odyssey

By Homer
3.81 goodreads logo

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( 1,114,461 ratings, 20,819 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
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.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might like this book if you enjoy epic tales of heroism, adventure, and mythology. This classic story follows the protagonist on a thrilling journey filled with gods, monsters, and challenges, offering timeless themes of perseverance and ingenuity.

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The Odyssey

A tale of Odysseus and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan war forms one of the earliest and greatest works of Western literature. Confronted by natural and supernatural threats - from the witch Circe who turns his men into pigs, to the twin terrors of Scylla and Charybdis.

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 Odyssey by Homer is a monumental epic that has enthralled readers for centuries with its rich tapestry of adventure and human struggle. It chronicles the perilous journey of Odysseus, the cunning King of Ithaca, as he strives to return home after the fall of Troy. During this ten-year odyssey, Odysseus confronts myriad dangers, both natural and supernatural, that test his bravery, wisdom, and resilience.

Throughout his voyage, Odysseus faces formidable challenges: deadly shipwrecks, fierce battles, and encounters with legendary monsters. These trials are compounded by the relentless wrath of Poseidon, the god of the sea, who seeks to thwart Odysseus' return at every turn. Each episode in Odysseus's journey is a captivating blend of ingenuity, heroism, and the struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Odysseus must draw upon all his cunning and resourcefulness to navigate these perils, aiming to reunite with his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus. Yet even when he reaches his homeland, he finds that his challenges are far from over, as he must contend with new obstacles that stand in the way of restoring his rightful place.

This edition of The Odyssey features a revised translation by D.C.H. Rieu and Peter Jones, building upon the classic work of E.V. Rieu. Their careful attention to language and detail bring a fresh vibrancy to this timeless epic, making it accessible and compelling for modern readers while preserving the grandeur of Homer’s original narrative.

With its unforgettable characters, intricate storyline, and profound themes of loyalty, perseverance, and the quest for home, The Odyssey remains a cornerstone of Western literature and a testament to the enduring power of human spirit.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Robert Fitzgerald's translation of The Odyssey is praised as a masterpiece, capturing the essence of Homer's original work. It effectively conveys the artistic greatness and detailed verse of Homer, maintaining vigilance and credibility in creating an imagined world.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140449112

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 January 2003

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by E. V. Rieu
  • Translated by D. C. H. Rieu
  • Introduction by Peter Jones

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 306g

Pages: 416

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About the Author

Homer was probably born around 725BC on the Coast of Asia Minor, now the coast of Turkey, but then really a part of Greece. Homer was the first Greek writer whose work survives. He was one of a long line of bards, or poets, who worked in the oral tradition. Homer and other bards of the time could recite, or chant, long epic poems. Both works attributed to Homer - The Iliad and The Odyssey - are over ten thousand lines long in the original. Homer must have had an amazing memory but was helped by the formulaic poetry style of the time. In The Iliad Homer sang of death and glory, of a few days in the struggle between the Greeks and the Trojans. Mortal men played out their fate under the gaze of the gods. The Odyssey is the original collection of tall traveller's tales. Odysseus, on his way home from the Trojan War, encounters all kinds of marvels from one-eyed giants to witches and beautiful temptresses. His adventures are many and memorable before he gets back to Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope. We can never be certain that both these stories belonged to Homer. In fact 'Homer' may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps 'the hostage' or 'the blind one'. Whatever the truth of their origin, the two stories, developed around three thousand years ago, may well still be read in three thousand years' time.

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