The Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of every man's journey through life. In the myths and legends that are retold here, the energy and poetry of Homer's original is captured in a bold, contemporary idiom, giving us an edition of The Odyssey that is a joy to listen to, worth savoring treasuring for its sheer lyrical mastery. This audiobook is sure to delight both the classicist and the general reader, and to captivate a new generation of Homer's students.
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"Found a copy of this recently in the middle of the street when my life was in the dumps and I had just become homeless...by the time I finished it, things had turned around considerably-I suppose it way mostly my way of thinking that changed, needless to say, this one's a life changer!"
— Denah (5 out of 5 stars)
[Fitzgerald’s Odyssey and Iliad] open up once more the unique greatness of Homer’s art at the level above the formula; yet at the same time they do not neglect the brilliant texture of Homeric verse at the level of the line and the phrase.
— The Yale Review[Robert Fitzgerald’s translation is] a masterpiece . . . An Odyssey worthy of the original.
— The Nation[In] Robert Fitzgerald’s translation . . . there is no anxious straining after mighty effects, but rather a constant readiness for what the occasion demands, a kind of Odyssean adequacy to the task in hand, and this line-by-line vigilance builds up into a completely credible imagined world.
— from the Introduction by Seamus Heaney" Slogged through this in high school. Wish I'd paid more attention. "
— Pjones, 2/18/2014" Ok- if you are a bi-ped you have to read it. It's just one of those books you have to read whether you like it or not. Even if you hate it you can at least work in, "You know in The Odyssey where..." at parties and people will think you are a genius. At least in Texas. "
— Robyn, 2/11/2014" Should get 4 stars for being such a great translation and really keeping in rhythm of the piece coming from an oral tradition. But I was sort of forced to read this for school, which limited my happiness with the story. I was very rushed to get through this one so my reading is biased a bit. This is a really great story, I never realized how ruthless Odysseus was. His son offers up a great semi-coming of age (he doesn't quite become all the way a man in this story). Penelope mirrors the trials of Odysseus in a more steady, weathered down kind of way while Odysseus seems to have a plethora of troubles he must conquer and arise from. The second half of this book was much more titillating and enjoyable than the first half. "
— Ad, 2/3/2014" Even as an English major I don't think I will ever be mature enough to enjoy or understand this book. "
— Abby, 1/31/2014" I liked reading it, so simple yet a book about meeting new people, as well as farewells and homecomings. It's so set in our culture that reading it was like retreading a favorite book. "
— Sofia, 1/29/2014" It is intresting to find out what happend after the Trojan was and is much easier to follow than the Iliad. "
— Jim, 12/31/2013" Had to read it in school. It's an old story and I can predict things really easily (yes I spoil lots of things for myself) that's why I like a nice twist in a story! This straight out tells you what happens in the beginning! SO I only read it so I wouldn't fail in my Language Arts class! "
— Morgan, 12/29/2013" I love this epic poem. "
— Courtney, 12/28/2013" I felt like this book had potential. I just don't think I was able to appreciate it because I was rushing to read it for school. Will reread again sometime. "
— Scootaloo, 12/28/2013" Why I put only three stars? I believe it must worth more. But because on this book I had lessons and lessons at school reading and doing assignments by bored teachers my whole impression of the book is three. And even if I reread it now I don't think I could alter my impression. "
— Marla, 12/21/2013" Although it appears to drag on a bit, you have to admire that the story has stood the test of time. That alone should tell you the quality of this epic, and its influence will always be present. "
— Travis, 12/17/2013" worst Greek piece i have ever read "
— Noura, 11/17/2013" If you are going to read one of Homer's epics read this one. I liked the Odyssey much more than the Iliad. "
— Sarah, 11/16/2013" The translation by Robert Flagles is excellent. "
— Judy, 5/8/2013" I'm not sure if I read this particular version or not. I enjoy Greek mythology though, more so since I started teaching it! "
— Jaime, 1/29/2013" Of course 5 stars..its the Odyssey. "
— Andrea, 11/15/2012" Read in parallel with Ulysses. That took care of December! "
— Simon, 10/3/2012" i read most of the book for school, but i didn't really enjoy it- as usual. "
— Elena, 10/3/2012" Reading this book was fun by unraveling Odysseus' adventures on his journey to Ithaca, his humble home. Also, Penelope who deals with her 108 suitors, ruling Ithaca because of the absence of his husband and being a mother. Homer is genius! "
— Louise, 8/8/2012" Read for school. Writing was pretty. Plot fun. That is all. "
— Olivia, 8/7/2012" I love Greek mythology so i enjoyed reading this very much. i read it last year in my freshman class and i still like to reread some of my favorite parts. "
— Shayna, 12/1/2011" Read it in school. Confusing at times! "
— Teabee, 7/7/2011" Epic win ;) get it?? "
— Alex, 5/24/2011" i am a big fan of this book . man who goes through a hold lo of advanture just to make it home and when he get home he still got promblems.on his journey home he faces the cyclops the siren chydris and carbdis plus the suitors "
— Rondell, 5/23/2011" The Lattimore translation is marvelously close to the original, yes, but let’s face it — it’s prose (prose with unjustified right margins). Fitzgerald is correct, even when he takes liberties. And more importantly, his translation is genuinely poetic. "
— Taylor, 5/22/2011" Not exactly my cup of tea. Although I am part Greek myself, Greek mythology has never truly held my interest, maybe when I'm older I'll give it another shot, but for now I find the writing and poem great, but Odysseus and his men not quite that interesting. "
— Stacey, 5/21/2011" I recommend the Lattimore translation. "
— Sheldon, 5/18/2011" I felt guilty for not liking this more, but I was a bit bored during it. Glad I read it, though. "
— Lauren, 5/16/2011" I read this in college, and didn't enjoy it much. Maybe I need to re-read? Or maybe it's really just not for me.... "
— Anna, 5/16/2011" Hard to read... Kinda boring "
— kyry, 5/14/2011" I have taught seven translations of The Odyssey and Fagles has been the most accessible to the students. I still cover the entire book with my freshmen, feeling that through this classic they can learn what great literature is like. "
— David, 5/14/2011" I don't need to review this because thousands already have. Good book though. I liked it. Nice and long. Good story. so old its almost part of history. "
— Chad, 5/13/2011" As Greek and Roman mythology is a favorite of mine, this epic was very entertaining. A great read to understand the action stories of a culture long ago. "
— William, 5/13/2011Homer (9th or 8th century BC) is the presumed author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, the two greatest epic poems of ancient Greece. Virtually nothing is known about his life. Tradition has it that he was blind. Most scholars believe he composed the Iliad and the Odyssey by relying on oral traditions. Their value lies chiefly in the poetry itself, moving from sublime passages about the gods and heroic exploits to passages expressing deep human emotion.
Sir Ian McKellen is internationally renowned as the leading British actor of his generation. His Shakespeare performances on stage and screen are legendary. His versatility and preeminence in modern work as well as the classics have earned him over forty important acting awards. For over four decades, alongside his prestigious stage appearances worldwide, he has starred in scores of film, television, and radio productions.