The OdysseyRecommendations
About the book
"The Odyssey" by Homer is a timeless epic that transports readers into the world of ancient Greece, filled with adventure, intrigue, and profound lessons about the human experience. This classic work explores themes of heroism, loyalty, and the quest for identity, making it not only a captivating read but also a profound reflection on life's challenges. As you follow Odysseus on his long journey home, you'll find yourself immersed in rich storytelling that has influenced countless writers and thinkers throughout history. Reading "The Odyssey" is more than just enjoying a story; it’s about understanding the roots of Western literature and the universal struggles that resonate even today.This book comes highly recommended by a diverse group of notable figures, including authors, activists, and historical leaders. Many of those who advocate for "The Odyssey" include renowned writers and thinkers like Ernest Hemingway, J.R.R. Tolkien, and George Orwell, who have shaped literary discourse. Additionally, the presence of activists and philosophers among the recommenders indicates a shared appreciation for the book’s exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas. This eclectic mix highlights the book's broad appeal and its capacity to inspire critical thought across various fields, from literature to politics and beyond.
Robert Fagles, winner of the PEN/Ralph Manheim Medal for Translation and a 1996 Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, presents us with Homer's best-loved and most accessible poem in a stunning modern-verse translation. "Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy." So begins Robert Fagles' magnificent translation of the Odyssey, which Jasper Griffin in the New York Times Book Review hails as "a distinguished achievement."
If the Iliad is the world's greatest war epic, the Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of an everyman's journey through life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War is at once a timeless human story and an individual test of moral endurance.
In the myths and legends retold here, Fagles has captured the energy and poetry of Homer's original in a bold, contemporary idiom, and given us an Odyssey to read aloud, to savor, and to treasure for its sheer lyrical mastery. Renowned classicist Bernard Knox's superb introduction and textual commentary provide insightful background information for the general reader and scholar alike, intensifying the strength of Fagles's translation. This is an Odyssey to delight both the classicist and the general reader, to captivate a new generation of Homer's students. This Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition features French flaps and deckle-edged paper.
People recommending The Odyssey
What readers say about ‘The Odyssey’
Stewart Brand on The Odyssey
Stewart Brand recommended this book on his "Selected Books for the Manual for Civilization" blog post.
Tim O’Reilly on The Odyssey
Tim O’Reilly mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
Michael Pollan on The Odyssey
"... And not just because there are so many great barbecue scenes."
Walter Isaacson on The Odyssey
"There’s something beautiful about [this book] because Ulysses is on the boat and then he’ll have this incredible adventure. But then he gets to get back on the boat and move on."
Caterina Fake on The Odyssey
Caterina Fake mentioned this book on "The Tim Ferriss Show" podcast.
.png)
