Product Description

The long siege of Troy is over, and the city is in ashes. Heroic King Odysseus can finally return to Ithaca, but the voyage home holds terrors far greater than any he faced during the Trojan War. Storms have thrust Odysseus's ship into unknown waters. Here he must confront not only the blunders of his crew, but far stranger perils: the one-eyed, flesh-eating Cyclops; Circe, the enchantress with the power to turn men into swine; the unnerving trip through the Land of the Dead. And when he finally reaches home, he finds his palace overrun by loutish suitors fighting to win the affections of his adored wife Penelope. Odysseus has one last thrilling battle to fight before he can reclaim his wife and his kingdom. Rosemary Sutcliff's vivid transformation brings Homer's Odyssey to life for a new generation. While simplified, the story is never "dumbed down," making it an excellent introduction to Greek mythology for readers of all ages.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #65240 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 120 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8?As with Black Ships Before Troy (Delacorte, 1993), Sutcliff's retelling of The Illiad, the story of The Odyssey is presented in an accessible, enjoyable format. A brief prologue sets the scene after the fall of Troy. The chapters, each of which tells of a challenge Odysseus faced, are not episodic, but rather come together as a continuing story. Sutcliff creates an intimate portrait of a man whose greatest desire is to return to his wife and home, despite great temptations. He is portrayed as a conquering hero-god, but with a touch of sadness. The reteller uses storytelling techniques to engage readers and the language and rhythm of a bard to maintain the story's flow. The detailed watercolor illustrations are dreamlike and soft-edged. They set the mood for the essence of particular episodes and display the horrors of battle where appropriate. Reading the first book would clarify Odysseus's entire tale, but is not necessary to the enjoyment of this volume. The pronunciation guide and map are helpful. Readers will enjoy this classic adventure, and they may be inspired to explore Greek mythology further.?Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 5^-8. A companion to Black Ships before Troy (1993), this handsome, large-size volume retells Homer's Odyssey with thrilling drama. There's no clashing climax like the Iliad's Wooden Horse, but the story of the hero's long years of wandering in the wilderness has the mythic power of everyone's search for home. Several episodes are just right for reading aloud, from the blinding of the Cyclops and his howl of revenge to the quiet courage of Penelope trying to hold off the suitors. Lee's watercolor paintings in shades of blue and brown capture the furious action of the wild ocean and the rocky shore, as in the double-page spread of the ship caught between Scylla and Charybdis. Several pictures also focus on lonely people wrenched apart. Sutcliff's narrative style is not as taut as in Black Ships, but in the best parts, she fuses epic grandeur with a direct simplicity that will bring the universal story home. Hazel Rochman

From Kirkus Reviews
In this sequel to Black Ships Before Troy (1993), Sutcliff and Lee dig into Homer's Odyssey, with happy results. Among the volume's virtues is Sutcliff's text, which preserves a certain formality of language, yet remains accessible for the target audience. She does an especially graceful job of winnowing the windy Telemachus section down to its essential elements. All the important episodes are retained; further, the telling makes clear some details that are often vague in other versions. The second major virtue comes through Lee's spectacular paintings, which match and illuminate the text. Beautiful and detailed, with occasional gory bits to draw in readers (and an exposed breast, on the sleeping Princess Nausicaa), the pictures are obviously the result of careful research and reward close scrutiny. A gorgeous book, more than worthy of its predecessor. (Folklore. 10+) -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

the best version of the Odyssey for children
I just finished reading the Wanderings of Odysseus to my five year old. Most people would hesitate to read something so complex to one so young, but Ms. Sutcliff breaks up the scenes into manageable bits, which are beautifully illustrated. And while I did need to simplify and explain many of Ms. Sutcliff's words to my little one, she actually looked forward to reading it.
I guess the best compliment that I can pay to this version, is that I read it 3 years ago to my oldest child who was then 5. As I read it to my younger one, my older child would come in periodically to find out what part we were on. He still remembered it quite well and even stopped to listen to it frequently. There are precious few books that appeal to so many ages.

A superb read-aloud for elementary age students!
This version of The Odyssey is beautifully illustrated, but even if you do not show them the pictures, your children will sit spellbound by the poetic language used by Rosemary Sutcliffe. The many adventures of Odysseus on his way home from the Trojan War were thrilling to my 6- and 8-year-old children, and I often found them acting out the day's reading with their stuffed animals later in the afternoon. This is not a "dumbed-down" version of the Odyssey-- it is appropriate for adults as well as children. The poetic style of Homer's original is continued by Sutcliffe. I heartily recommend this book, as well as her book, "Black Ships Before Troy", which is her version of Homer's "The Iliad".

The Greatest Odyssey In The World!!!
The greatest book on Homer's "Odyssey" that I have ever read, and I tell you that I have read lots of books on the "Odyssey" and they were junk.
This book was really great and I think that Rosemary Sutcliff and Alan Lee should write and illustrate books about the other heroes of the Trojan War, like the death of Agamemnon, and the wanderings of Menelaus in Africa, and the death of Agamemnon's wife murdered by her children. They, then fled away and only the City of Athens allowed them to be there and be judged for what they had done.
Alan Lee and Rosemary Sutcliff did a great gob on both books they wrote: "Black Ships Before Troy" and "The Wanderings Of Odysseus".
Both books were marvells and I bought both as soon as I saw them, and now I read them all the time! I love to read books about Ancient Greece and I really loved these books that they wrote as a team.
ACHILLES