This is a standalone epic poem (although The Illiad is considered the prequel poem to The Odyssey).
Rating: 4/5
Spoiler Alert: Low
Summary:
The first great adventure story in the Western canon, The Odyssey is a poem about violence and the aftermath of war; about wealth, poverty, and power; about marriage and family; about travelers, hospitality, and the yearning for home.
In this fresh, authoritative version--the first English translation of The Odyssey by a woman--this stirring tale of shipwrecks, monsters, and magic comes alive in an entirely new way. Written in iambic pentameter verse and a vivid, contemporary idiom, this engrossing translation matches the number of lines in the Greek original, thus striding at Homer's sprightly pace and singing with a voice that echoes Homer's music.
Wilson's Odyssey captures the beauty and enchantment of this ancient poem as well as the suspense and drama of its narrative. Its characters are unforgettable, from the cunning goddess Athena, whose interventions guide and protect the hero, to the awkward teenage son, Telemachus, who struggles to achieve adulthood and find his father; from the cautious, clever, and miserable Penelope, who somehow keeps clamoring suitors at bay during her husband's long absence, to the "complicated" hero himself, a man of many disguises, many tricks, and many moods, who emerges in this translation as a more fully rounded human being than ever before.
A fascinating introduction provides an informative overview of the Bronze Age milieu that produced the epic, the major themes of the poem, the controversies about its origins, and the unparalleled scope of its impact and influence. Maps drawn especially for this volume, a pronunciation glossary, and extensive notes and summaries of each book make this an Odyssey that will be treasured by a new generation of scholars, students, and general readers alike.
Praises:
Plot:
This is a classic story about the famous Odysseus and his voyage home after years away. We also have his son, Telemachus who is becoming more confident and sure of himself as he is trying to find his place in society. Finally, we have Penelope, mother and wife, who longs for her husband, Odysseus, to come home. We see her exhibiting cleverness as well as misery, captivating readers worldwide. This is a fantastic plot that grabs all the readers' attention immediately.
Characters:
Odysseus: He is a powerful man both physically and mentally. Odysseus is incredibly cunning and clever, using these traits to his advantage. Although he is filled with hubris and sometimes selfishness, his main goal is to go home to his wife and son who he misses dearly. Odysseus is portrayed as both a warrior of war and a father and husband. The character development is complex, making Odysseus a very interesting read.
Penelope: As she wife of well-known Odysseus, she is also intelligent. Her ability to come up with ideas to evade the suitors' advances is truly masterful. However, for most of the epic poem, Penelope is miserable and lonely. She misses Odysseus terribly. Despite her husband being gone for years, she remains fully faithful to him, demonstrating how much she cares for Odysseus.
Telemachus: His character growth is probably the biggest one in the whole poem. In the beginning, we see a scared and unsure young man who doesn't stand up for himself or for his belongings. However, as the story progresses, Telemachus goes on his own journey in finding his father and we see exponential development. Telemachus is no longer a scared and unsure young man. Instead, he fights for what is rightfully his and his father's. Telemachus becomes confident and demonstrates cleverness just like his mother and father
Writing Style/Narration:
Wilson did a terrific job of translating this epic poem. Her translation allows an easy read for readers of all ages. The story flows quite well with a poetic tone in the background. Wilson proves to be a skilled translator with this edition of The Odyssey. It is narrated in third person as it follows both the journeys of Telemachus and Odysseus. Each book—instead of chapters, we call them "books"—is exceptionally well translated, depicting and following the complexity of the plot and characters. This is a phenomenal translation.
Critics:
Absolutely no critics.
Final Review:
This version of the classic epic poem deserves to be read by everyone. You cannot call yourself a reader without reading The Odyssey. By far, this is one of the best translations I've ever read. The storyline is also engaging and it has so many messages and morales in it. I recommend this book to literally everyone all ages.
Happy Reading!
Cheers,
Jessica :)
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