The Odyssey

By Homer

Book Overview

The great epic of Western literature, translated by the acclaimed classicist Robert Fagles, hailed as "the best living translator of ancient Greek drama, lyric poetry, and epic into modern English" (Garry Wills, The New Yorker)

Now a major motion picture directed by Christopher Nolan

A Penguin Classic Black-spine Paperback

"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's magnificent translation of The Odyssey, literature's grandest evocation of an everyman's journey through life. Odysseus's reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival against divine and natural forces on 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.

Robert Fagles's translation of The Odyssey, enhanced with maps, genealogy tables, and pronunciation guides, has been the touchstone translation of Homer's epic for millions of readers. 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. With an introduction and textual commentary by renowned classicist Bernard Knox, the Fagles translation of The Odyssey will continue to captivate the general reader and scholar alike.

Penguin Classics is the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world, representing a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0143039954
• ISBN13: 9780143039952
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Length: 560 Pages
• Weight: 0.88 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

"Acceptable" Means Anything I Guess

Book arrived with a piece of gum sticking pages together. It's just disgusting and a waste of money. No qualms with Emily Wilson.

Epic by Definition

An epic by definition, Homer's "The Odyssey" remarkably holds up well today. Written in the 8th century BC, it would be cliche to say that it stands the test of time, but that's exactly what it does. While storytelling has certainly evolved over the centuries, this one has all the right ingredients for a fun ride. It's one of the "greats" for a reason, and a real treat to finally read it.

Must Read

A fantastic poem, great intro into Greek writing. The humor and storytelling is very enjoyable. Only note would be to get the poem translation. Do NOT get the narrative translation, it makes it unnecessarily difficult to read.

Such A Lovely Book!

I love the interior cover design and mini illustrations to go along with the poem inside! The artistic language used to tell ideas and events are wonderful as well. I really love how they use long chunks of dialogues to tell about more events and stories. Overall the many adventures of Odysseus is certainly wonderful to read about.