How do you rate one of the oldest and greatest pieces known in literature?

Well, I'll just come out and give it 5 stars. If for no other reason than respect.

I have to admit, I hate that Penelope had to be pure while Odysseus went whoring around the Aegean Sea. My modern sensibilities were truly confounded by this. LOL!

I have read this many times. This time, I listened to the audible version read by the master actor Ian McKellen. He really made up for the awful and weird music.

It's a very good tale and definitely worth a read if you haven't read it yet. It's a classic that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers with its complex characters and exciting adventures.

Whether you're a fan of literature or just looking for a good story, this piece is sure to satisfy. So give it a try and see for yourself why it's considered one of the greatest works of all time.

AHAHAHAHA I finished this in about nine collective hours of reading.

It was quite an accomplishment considering I had an hour to spare before my English final.

I was really proud of myself for getting it done in such a relatively short time.

However, the story doesn't end there.

UPDATE: I failed the final. But you know what? It's okay.

Even though I didn't achieve the grade I might have hoped for on the final, I still learned a lot from the process of reading and preparing.

There will always be other opportunities to improve and show what I've learned.

And besides, a single failed final doesn't define my entire academic ability or worth.

I'll just pick myself up, learn from my mistakes, and move forward.

After all, that's what life is all about.

Αντί κριτικής, κάποιες σκέψεις…

The mature reader who will end up here, in the mythical land of Homer, has crossed the borders of many nations, has wasted his time, has indulged in often inferior spiritual pleasures. And yet, his steps ultimately lead him here, far beyond his initial expectations, as his journey had a clear beginning but an indeterminate end.

At the start, he knew -thanks to the great reputation- of the existence of this glorious land, whose ancient glory lingered in the memory of people throughout the ages.

And yet, the new reader avoided -consciously or unconsciously- approaching it as much as he could. Other countries called to him. With glorious capitals, adorned with the certainty of the contemporary, the security of the energetic, fertile in the impulse of the newly enlightened. How could he resist? How could he deny their allure?

"There is a time for everything," says Ecclesiastes: the countries succeed one another, dazzling and hospitable. At the same time, the increasingly skeptical traveler in the world of knowledge, with wonder and surprise, begins to recognize common places, repeating patterns. The familiar becomes tiresome, the spirit seeks the new but ever more selectively.

The next step will be decisive. Forward again to another glorious and, in many ways, well-known country? Or back, to the living memory of the Homeric land of return, where they say everything began and also ends? The reverse journey has begun and Ithaca awaits those who seek it bravely.

And the steps inevitably lead to the Queen of the spirit. The well-opened gates, the country so familiar, so full, so accessible. The experienced eye of the traveler now recognizes there all that he enjoyed in the countries of his youth. All those things that he had to see and learn in order to be finally ready (as courageous) for this country, for this city, for these streets, for this greatness.

All that the traveler considered, until recently, outstanding, glorious and original in the travels of his first youth, he encounters again here, but for the first time he observes them, he touches them, he feels them: words, colors, sensations, images…

He finally understands how everything that existed elsewhere as a remnant and incidental, here exists complete and eternal.

The heart rejoices, the spirit is glad. The return is complete. Now that he has reached the source, the traveler bends down to quench his thirst, singing those verses that generations of travelers before and after -as long as there are people- have cultivated: "Tell me, Muse, of the man of many devices, who wandered far and wide after he had sacked the holy citadel of Troy, and saw the cities of many men and learned their minds…"

https://fotiskblog.home.blog/2021/02/...

I am absolutely thrilled to have finally read this amazing piece of work.

It has been a long-awaited moment, and now that I have delved into its pages, I am truly impressed.

The words seem to dance off the paper, captivating my attention from the very first sentence.

The author's writing style is engaging and unique, drawing me in and making me feel as if I am a part of the story.

I can't wait to share my thoughts and feelings about this with others.

It has truly been a wonderful reading experience, and I know it will stay with me for a long time to come.

I was already familiar with the key plot points of The Odyssey long before I actually delved into reading it. I knew those legendary names that had been passed down through the ages, the successive perils that Odysseus faced, the exciting island-hopping adventures, and the fact that his crew was constantly dwindling. And of course, I knew about that shocking climax - the slaughter of the suitors, which served as the violent capstone to a tale that had defined danger and adventure in the Western tradition. I truly thought I had a good understanding of this highly vaunted tale. However, after finally reading it, I realized that I barely knew the true focus of the book at all.

I had always believed that the sea adventures were the main attraction. There was the imprisonment in the cyclops cave, the deadly allure of the sirens, Circe and her magical powers of transformation, and the twin dooms of Scylla and Charybdis. I assumed that these memorable trials dominated the story.

But as it turns out, that's not the case. I estimate that this series of Mediterranean perils accounts for less than one-third of the text. Some of these episodes are so brief (such as the encounters with the sirens and Scylla/Charybdis) that I had to do a double take, wondering if I had missed something.

I had also always thought that the slaughter of the suitors came as a bit of a surprise, that the reader had little reason to anticipate such a violent ending. But in fact, that climax is heavily foreshadowed. Odysseus's loyal family and servants often make remarks like "I wish Odysseus were here, he'd kill these jerks." We actually spend far more time with Penelope, Telemachus, and the greedy group of suitors who are exploiting them than I had suspected. The primary setting is Odysseus's estate, not his ship.

This goes to show that even the most influential stories still have the ability to surprise us, especially if we have put off reading them for so long under the assumption that we already know the entire tale.

Οδύσσεια = The Odyssey, Homer


The Odyssey is an epic poem that begins after the conclusion of the ten-year Trojan War, which was the subject of the Iliad. Odysseus, the hero of the story, has not yet returned home from the war because he angered the god Poseidon. This sets the stage for a long and arduous journey home for Odysseus.


Odysseus' son Telemachus is around 20 years old and is sharing his absent father's house on the island of Ithaca with his mother Penelope and a rowdy group of 108 young men known as "the Suitors." Their goal is to persuade Penelope to marry one of them, all the while feasting in Odysseus' palace and squandering his wealth. Telemachus, frustrated by the situation, sets out on a journey of his own to find news of his father.


The Odyssey Characters: Odysseus, the brave and cunning hero; Penelope, his faithful wife; Helen of Troy, the cause of the Trojan War; Achilles, the greatest warrior of the Greeks; Agamemnon, the leader of the Greek army; Telemachus, Odysseus' son; Minerva, the goddess of wisdom who helps Odysseus; and Polyphemus, the Cyclops who Odysseus encounters on his journey.


The Odyssey has been translated and published in Iran under different titles, such as "Odyssey" and "Aodysseus." It was first read in 1973 AD. The translation by Seyyed Nafisi, titled "Odyssey," has also been published. The Odyssey, along with the Iliad, is one of the two ancient epic poems of Greece written by Homer in the eighth century BC. It is a collection of songs and tells the story of Odysseus' return home from the Trojan War. The narrative style of the Odyssey differs from that of the Iliad. In the Odyssey, Odysseus undertakes a journey that lasts more than twenty years, during which he and his companions face many adventures. In the end, Odysseus, who everyone thought was dead, returns home and rids his land, wife, and son of the usurpers.


The story of the Odyssey is filled with many events. Odysseus decides to build a large wooden horse during the war with Troy and uses it as a trick to enter the city. He and his men hide inside the horse, and when the Trojans bring the horse into the city, they attack and capture Troy. However, Odysseus angers Poseidon by blinding his son Polyphemus, and Poseidon curses him to wander the sea forever. Odysseus then faces many challenges on his journey home, including being shipwrecked, encountering strange creatures, and being tempted by the goddess Calypso.


The Odyssey is a timeless story that has been read and loved for centuries. It explores themes such as heroism, loyalty, and the power of the gods. It also provides a vivid picture of ancient Greek society and culture.

I shelved this as "classic newly-read" simply because I don't believe I ever perused a complete version in verse. There were parts in prose. And there were those B-movies with Kirk Douglas, Anthony Quinn, or Charlton Heston donning togas as the avenger.

This translation by Fagles is like butter. I adored how smoothly it read. The repeating tropes modifying various nouns were quite charming: "sparkling-eyed Athena," "bright-eyed goddess," "Dawn with her rose-red fingers," "wine-dark sea," "Odysseus, master of craft," and so on.

What caught me off guard was the rapid pace of the trip-home chapters: The Lotus Eaters, the Cyclops, Scylla & Charybdis, and others. Instead, it was the planning-to-kill-the-suitors chapters that stretched out extensively, going on and on until the tense end. And, as much as I relished the comeuppance meted out to the suitors, the words of Adam Nicholson, author of Why Homer Matters, echoed in my head. He cited "heroes" Achilles (in The Iliad) and Odysseus (in The Odyssey) as two of the greatest mass murderers of all time.

A minor point. This is mythology. Besides, the gods willed it.

Speaking of which, what I would give for a Mentor like Athena. Some classy dame who could descend like a deus ex machina in my numerous hours of need.

Bright-eyed Athena, if you're still out there, I'll cook a bull in your honor (or perhaps a Perdue chicken instead). Hear my prayer!

This one was well worth my time and effort.

I completed this remarkable tome for the Reading Envy Readalong during the weekend. In fact, I read it twice as I listened to the audio after each "book". Emily Wilson adhered to iambic pentameter and maintained the same number of lines as the original. This was a rather confining framework, yet she managed to convey the tale in simple and direct language. It was almost effortless to read! I'm eagerly anticipating the discussion. (The details can be found in the Reading Envy Readers Group.)

The experience of reading this book was truly engaging. Wilson's choice of language made it accessible to a wide range of readers, while still maintaining the essence and beauty of the original work. The use of iambic pentameter added a certain rhythm and flow to the text, enhancing the overall reading experience.

I'm excited to join the discussion with other members of the Reading Envy Readers Group. I'm sure there will be many interesting insights and perspectives shared, which will further deepen my understanding and appreciation of the book. I can't wait to see what everyone has to say!

Odysseus' journey back from Troy to Ithaca was a long and arduous one. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus had to endure the presence of the suitors who vied for Penelope's hand during Odysseus' absence.

In the realm of mythology, Odysseus faced many challenges on his way home. He encountered the Cyclops, was tempted by the song of the sirens, and even descended into the infernos. These aspects of the story were quite fascinating to me. However, at times, the narration felt a bit cumbersome.

Despite the difficulties, Odysseus persevered and finally returned home. With his cunning and strength, he was able to defeat the suitors and reunite with his family. The tale of Odysseus is a classic example of heroism and determination in the face of adversity. It has captured the imaginations of people for centuries and continues to be a source of inspiration today.

Overall, I found the story of Odysseus' journey to be an engaging and thought-provoking read. While there were some parts that could have been more streamlined, the overall narrative was rich and full of interesting characters and events. It is a story that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in Greek mythology or heroic tales.

Thank you, boring book that I had to read for school. You have truly made a significant contribution to my failing the Goodreads reading challenge. It seems that every time I pick you up, my eyes start to glaze over and my mind drifts to more interesting things. The words on the page just don't seem to engage me in any way. I struggle to get through each chapter, and by the time I'm done, I can hardly remember what I've read. I know that I should be more dedicated to my reading, but you make it so difficult. Maybe if you were a little more exciting or had a more interesting plot, I would have been able to keep up with the challenge. But as it is, you have become a hindrance to my progress. Oh well, there's always next year.

"So Pallas spake, and breathed into his frame
Strength irresistible."

This powerful narrative holds a certain allure. Is it the mythological world that draws us in? The way gods and men interact in this tête-à-tête manner creates a sense of mystery and wonder. The voyages described add another layer of adventure and excitement. And the longing for Home is a universal theme that touches our hearts.

But there is also a hint of sadness in this story. The update leads us to an article that suggests Oxford may be making a mistake. This juxtaposition of the heroic and the tragic makes the narrative even more complex and engaging. We are left wondering what will happen next, and how the characters will overcome their challenges.

In conclusion, this narrative has the power to transport us to another world, filled with gods, heroes, and adventure. It makes us think about the human condition and our place in the universe. And it leaves us with a sense of longing and anticipation for what is to come.

3 stars

  "Take courage, my heart: you have been through worse than this. Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this."

At this stage, I think I really should cease having preconceived notions about what a classic will entail. This month, I have read numerous works where I anticipated one thing, yet encountered another and found myself rather perplexed. This occurred yet again while reading The Odyssey. Nevertheless, I still relished what I read. This is the story of Odysseus... but it is far more than that, and the journey he undertakes constitutes less than half of the page count. Instead, we commence by following his son, Telemachus, who endeavors to seek news of his father, and later his (and his father's) arduous struggles in reclaiming his homeland from the despicable suitors... I yearned for more of the journey.

I was extremely daunted by the idea of reading a novel in verse. However, I discovered that it was not nearly as terrifying as I had imagined. Surprisingly, this classic was very accessible, and I actually derived enjoyment from it. But if I have to read another "when Dawn, with her rose-red fingers, rose from the sea" or something similar, I might just scream.

My primary issue with reviewing this book is that I don't have an abundance to say because I found it to be just fine. There were moments that I truly relished, but there were also some that I really didn't like or simply ended up feeling bored. The entire voyage sequence was magnificent. The encounter with Circe was uproarious due to Hermes's interference, and the moments with Helios's sheep were so exasperating (but in the most wonderful way possible). The rest, however, I just experienced an overall sense of happiness, but not much more. The segments in which I felt bored were those when Nestor and his son provided us with recaps of The Iliad. If you average all of this together, I suppose this culminates in an overall 3-star rating. But goodness, it is so challenging to assign a rating to a book when you experience so many emotions...

Tl;Dr: Don't have overly high expectations for classics because they probably aren't what you think.

*book completed as part of the January Classics challenge