The Odyssey is, indeed, a remarkable work. It is not just an extremely thrilling read but also a fundamental piece in Western literature.

It is a magnificent tale that weaves together elements of love and war, gods and humans, and adventures both in and around the Mediterranean (and some even claim as far as the West Indies). On the surface, it is simply the story of Odysseus's adventures following the fall of Troy, but it is actually a complex and rich tapestry of various places, characters, and creatures that have become an integral part of the basic language of Western literature.

For academic study of the Odyssey, Lattimore's translation is often the favored text, partly because it stays closest to the Greek original. And Lattimore's translation is of high quality. However, I find Fitzgerald's translation to be more vivid, more exciting, and more engaging. It is modern without being overly facile, a flaw that I sometimes observe in Fagles and Lombardo's translations.

For serious teaching and study, I adhere to Lattimore. But for the pure pleasure of reading - and I have read the Odyssey perhaps a dozen times in at least half a dozen translations, and still discover new riches that I had never noticed before - I prefer Fitzgerald.

If you haven't yet read the Odyssey, do so without hesitation. What more can I say? It is a must-read for anyone interested in literature and the human experience.

I have no idea how to review this book which has been discussed by millions of others over the past almost 3000 years. So I plan to keep this brief.

This was so enjoyable! I found Knox's introduction very helpful. It provided valuable context and background information that enhanced my understanding of the story. Fagles' translation was smooth and very much a pleasure to read. The language flowed beautifully, making it easy to get lost in the narrative.

Some of the descriptions were simply beautiful. I'm remembering Calypso's cave, which was vividly描绘. The reunions with family were emotional, tugging at my heartstrings. The battles with the suitors were powerful, filled with excitement and drama. And the visit to The Underworld was eerie, creating a sense of mystery and foreboding.

I recommend that everyone read it again if they haven't read it as an adult (and I don't count those college days!). It's a classic for a reason, and it's well worth revisiting to gain a deeper appreciation of its beauty and significance.

It is commonly accepted that a contemporary book can justifiably draw inspiration from an older one. Dr. Johnson's observation that no man likes owing anything to his contemporaries adds weight to this idea. The numerous but perhaps not entirely relevant similarities between Joyce's Ulysses and Homer's Odyssey continue to fascinate critics, though the reason for this enduring allure remains a mystery to me.

Is The Odyssey truly the origin of it all? Or was it already influenced by the existing literary tradition? Regardless of the answer, the number of references to The Odyssey in world literature is incalculable.

All begins here. In this nearly lifelong journey of homecoming across seas, islands, dreams, visions, and even the realm of the dead, there are no pauses.

The description of the journey is vivid and detailed. You will require no guide. Raise your mast, set your white sails, and remain still, for the North Wind will carry you there effortlessly. Once your ship has crossed the waters of Oceanus, you will reach the fertile shore of Proserpine's land, with its groves of tall poplars and willows that shed their fruit prematurely. Here, beach your ship on the shore of Oceanus and proceed directly to the dark abode of Hades. It lies near the confluence of the rivers Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus, which is a tributary of the Styx, and you will see a rock nearby, precisely where the two roaring rivers merge.

And all ends here. It's a circle. As the end draws near, there are no longer any images from memory - only words. It's not surprising that time may have blurred the lines between those who once depicted me and those who were symbols of the fate of the person who accompanied me for so many centuries. I have been Homer; soon, like Ulysses, I shall be Nobody; soon, I shall be all men - I shall be dead. This profound thought from The Immortal by Jorge Luis Borges encapsulates the cyclical nature of life and literature.

3.5 stars.

As a lover of the Greek myths, I've always found it strange that I've never read The Odyssey. The sheer magnitude of it and the epic style in which it has been written in the past have always deterred me. Moreover, by now, surely everyone knows the story of Odysseus and how he makes his way home after the Trojan War. However, what I didn't anticipate was the significant amount of discussion regarding the sacred right of hospitality and how it is both respected and misused.

Strangers are considered sacred to Zeus and are thus protected when seeking shelter. We're all familiar with what occurred in Game of Thrones at the Red Wedding when such a thing goes awry. So, it comes as no surprise that certain events unfold when Odysseus returns to Ithaca to discover his home in ruins, with men vying to take his loyal wife Penelope as their new bride. Everyone believes him to be dead, but Odysseus is the quintessential trickster, an intelligent man bent on devising schemes. After all, it's one of the reasons Athena adores him so much. Disguising himself in various guises, he sets about formulating his plan to bring down the men with the assistance of his son, Telemachus.

I didn't expect this portion of the story to be so lengthy. I truly thought that the majority of the narrative would consist of Odysseus's arduous journey home, facing the sirens, the cyclops, and the sacred cows. But it wasn't, and for that, I felt a tinge of disappointment as it was by far the most captivating part of the tale. Additionally, Odysseus, at times, isn't particularly likable. He is prideful, has a short temper, and seems to believe he is superior to everyone else, except for his beloved Athena. He doesn't even seem to give Penelope any credit for remaining faithful for 20 years to a husband she thinks is deceased.

I will, however, give credit to this translation, which I found made the text extremely accessible and effortless to read. It flows in a manner that makes it seem as if it should be read aloud, enhancing the overall experience.

This book was originally rated 4.5 stars. However, after rereading it numerous times and having the opportunity to study it at university, I find myself still endlessly fascinated by the story. Instead of growing bored with it, my interest has only deepened.

Each time I pick up this book, I discover new details and nuances that I missed before. The characters are so well-developed that they come to life on the page, and the plot is engaging and full of twists and turns.

I have recommended this book to many of my friends and classmates, and they have all had the same positive experience. It is truly a masterpiece that deserves to be read and reread.

For all these reasons, I am bumping up my rating to the full 5 stars. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story.

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I give 4 out of 5 stars to The Odyssey, which was published around 800 BC and written by Homer. I had the task of reading this epic work as part of an Advanced Placement English course during the break between my junior and senior years of high school. I have always loved literature, and my reading habits likely developed from all the books my teachers encouraged us to read during summer and mid-year breaks. We explored literature from around the world, and this Greek masterpiece was one of many. Although we only read certain sections due to its length of over 500 pages, I completed it on my own during the winter break of that year. The quality of the reading experience often depends on the translation version. I don't remember which one the teacher chose, but it must have been good since I wrote quarterly papers on both this book and Homer's other work, The Iliad.


The Odyssey is an amazing story of a journey through the famous Trojan Wars in ancient Greece. Meeting all the gods and goddesses, understanding their genealogy and family structure, and following the plots of their antics and games... for someone with my hobbies and interests, this was a perfect read. The only part that I found a bit dull was the detailed descriptions of wartime battles, as I don't typically enjoy reading about fighting. However, the soap opera-like nature of these characters and deities was truly captivating. The lyrics and words seem to leap off the pages, and the images and metaphors are beautiful. If you know enough about Greek history, you can almost feel as if you are part of the story.


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For those who are new to me or my reviews, here's the lowdown: I read a great deal. I write a great deal. And now I blog a great deal. First, the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I post it on my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com. There, you'll also find TV and film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge, and plenty of blogging about the places I've visited around the world. You can find all my social media profiles to get the details on who I am, what I do, when and where I do it, and see my pictures. Please leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and rate my review. Thanks for stopping by.

My parents split when I was very young. The arrangement was that my brother and I would spend weekends with our father, while living with our mother during the week.

One winter, when I was ten, it snowed heavily and showed no sign of stopping. On a Sunday morning, we were supposed to leave dad's and go back to what we considered home. But the snow had other plans.

To get home, we had to take two buses. The first was late, but the ride was uneventful. We arrived in Sheffield around one o'clock. That's when things went wrong. At the stop for the next bus to Rotherham, there was one waiting, but it didn't look like it was going anywhere. The engine was off and the driver was outside smoking. I was too scared to ask, but I heard another passenger ask when we could board. The driver said all buses were cancelled due to the snow and he was going back to the depot.

I felt a strange panic. We were halfway between our parents', with no phone and only our fare. My brother wanted to wait, but I knew that wasn't a good idea. The snow had settled and was still falling heavily. Waiting would only make it harder to walk, and I knew we had to walk.

Going back to dad's was easier, but we instinctively wanted to go to our mother. So, we set off through the snow, following the bus route. But time and distance were deceiving. What took 25 minutes on the bus seemed impossible on foot. After a couple of hours, it felt like home didn't exist anymore.

My brother fell down a few times, and I dragged him up, shouting encouragement. Night fell, and the snow kept coming. I don't know why I was doing what I was doing. Instinct had taken over. One foot followed the other. Eventually, we made it. My mother and her boyfriend were waiting for us. Home wasn't just a building; it was the look in my mother's eyes.

This story reminds me of The Odyssey. My brother and I didn't face Sirens or Cyclops, but our walk was a fight to get home. The Odyssey is about Odysseus' journey home after the war at Troy. He faced many disasters and was trapped on an island by Calypso for seven years. With the help of Athena, he continued his epic quest.

The Odyssey has a lot of dumb fun. The tricking of Polyphemus and the witch Circe are famous episodes. It's also a fantasy with parallels to modern works like The Lord of the Rings. But at its heart, it's about love, friendship, and family. Telemachus was given hospitality by Odysseus' friends, and Penelope resisted the suitors.

Women play a strong role in Greek myths and Homer's work. Goddesses are worshipped and involved in earthly affairs. Penelope is no weakling, and Odysseus cries frequently. When choosing a translation of The Odyssey, it's important to consider the translator's style. I chose Robert Fitzgerald because I thought he had a better ear for poetry. But his version can be challenging for first-time readers.

The Odyssey has a sophisticated structure. It begins in media res and has a non-linear narrative. Odysseus spends much of the time recounting his past. This highlights the importance of oral story-telling in the text. Characters tell tales to bond, share information, or entertain. It's a universal desire that I also feel. The Odyssey is about home and family, but it's also about the joy and importance of communication and human interaction.

I mean, it's no Ulysses. This statement implies that whatever is being referred to does not possess the same level of significance, complexity, or literary merit as James Joyce's renowned novel Ulysses. Ulysses is widely regarded as a masterpiece of modernist literature, known for its innovative style, rich language, and profound exploration of human nature and consciousness.

When we say something is no Ulysses, we are likely comparing it to the high standards set by this iconic work. It could suggest that the thing in question may be lacking in certain aspects, such as depth of character development, intricate plot structure, or the ability to engage the reader on a profound intellectual and emotional level. However, it's important to note that not everything has to be on par with Ulysses to have value or worth. There are countless other works of art, literature, and creativity that offer unique perspectives and experiences, even if they don't reach the same lofty heights as this literary classic.

I’m not a scholar, so I can only offer my personal experience.

First of all, I initially thought that this would be an extremely daunting task - an epic poem from Ancient Greece! However, it turned out to be such an enjoyable and accessible read. I’m truly grateful to my Goodreads friend who encouraged me to move forward with it.

Secondly, I highly recommend this particular version, which is published by Penguin. It is written in prose and features a beautiful design by Coralie Bickford-Smith. Not only does it look gorgeous on your bookshelf, but it is also physically comfortable to read, with its perfect size and soothing ivory pages.

Regarding the story itself, it is filled with action and imagination, interesting characters, and fantastical creatures. I especially relished Odysseus’ fanciful encounters and challenges with these creatures, with the underworld, and with the goddesses. I was a bit disappointed by how little effort was put into his time with Calypso, but I adored his time with Circe. (If you haven’t read Madeline Miller’s “Circe” and you have an interest in mythology, I highly recommend that you do.)

The story did slow down for me when he returned home. Odysseus is depicted as a character of wit, clever manipulation, and disguise. Much of his return is dedicated to this display, and I found myself wondering why I had to read full, false accounts of his adventures as he told them while in disguise. According to some quick internet research, the purpose of these passages was to demonstrate his intelligence by showing how he wove truth into fiction and was thus able to assume a new identity. However, after experiencing his dramatic adventures, I found these passages pointless and was motivated to research their significance.

Don’t worry. In my opinion, it gets better again. The ending is plenty dramatic and completely satisfying.

Reading this has made me want to reread “Circe.” I also picked up Atwood’s “The Penelopiad.” Following this thread has been very enjoyable.

The article titled "The First Woman to Translate The Odyssey into English" in The New York Times Magazine Section provides an interesting account.

It delves into the work of Emily Wilson, who has made history with her translation. The link https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/02/ma... offers the full story.

Moreover, The Paris Review has excerpts from her translation. The link https://www.theparisreview.org/poetry... allows readers to get a taste of her work.

Wilson's translation is significant as it brings a new perspective to this classic epic. Her efforts have opened up the world of The Odyssey to a wider audience, especially those who may have been previously deterred by the traditional translations.

It will be interesting to see how her translation is received and how it impacts the study and appreciation of this great work of literature.

Where do you begin with a book like this? It's an epic saga that has endured for nearly three thousand years. I truly have no clue. What I do know for certain is that I read it and was completely enamored. I had very little prior knowledge of the story, and I haven't delved too deeply into its meanings or history. Instead, I've endeavored to appreciate the story for its own inherent qualities, getting carried away just like Odysseus on the vast sea. There were moments of quiet contemplation, as well as dramatic battles. There were personal struggles and broader societal issues. Gods and heroes, kings and queens, nymphs and cyclops, a great deal of deceptive weaving, and a city filled with ill-fated suitors. What more could one possibly desire?

*warning: parentheses, italics, and spoilers abound* I think I’ve cleaned up the language, though. Mostly.

Not even the great Sir Ian McKellen could add another star to this. He was, of course, terrific. I have a great love for him. But from now on, when I say something like “I could listen to [so-and-so] read the phone book”, I will definitely continue with “but NOT the Odyssey”.

Also, something went wrong during one of his recording sessions. The speed of the read slowed down. Some parts were muffled, and the volume fluctuated. Maybe the production staff hated this as much as I did. The musical interludes were strangely placed and jarring, rather than adding any dramatic effect. They felt like a very earnest attempt at "really! It’s genuine Ancient Greek music! Honest!" They didn't divide the story sections well, and it seemed like they might have divided up the recording sessions, which was just odd.

I do respect the Odyssey in the abstract. It's an ancient work with a probable origin in the BC era. It has had a huge impact on literature. I knew most of the story bits, like Circe, Calypso, the sirens, and so on. And for the most part, I'm glad I've now experienced the whole thing. I've already seen references to it in other books.

But, my God - or rather, gods - it was painful. Part of it is because of my 21st-century Christian viewpoint. I was disgusted by the caprice of the deities. Athena, Odysseus' so-called protectress, didn't do a great job. And Odysseus himself - I hated him. He told so many false stories to test those he loved. It was painful to listen to. And his actions towards the end, like killing the suitors and then having the women who had betrayed him killed, were not heroic in my eyes.

The translation by Robert Fagles was also truly terrible. I don't know if he was trying to modernize it or just had a bad ear. But phrases like "not my style" and "cramped his style" made my flesh crawl. The constant repetition in the text was also like nails on a chalkboard to my modern ear. And the recaps - they were just too much.

Finally, the story just ended in a strange way. I was relieved not to have to listen to Odysseus tote his oar inland and then presumably drop dead. Overall, I'm glad I listened to it, but it was a very unpleasant experience. It was like having my wisdom teeth extracted - necessary but something I never want to do again.