Reviews

The Odyssey by Homer

abbyaj22's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

a_gray's review

5.0

a little long winded and repetitive at times but i mean what else can you expect from such an old book lol
the emily wilson translation slayed, highly recommend, she makes the whole thing actually interesting and enjoyable

islayfraser's review against another edition

adventurous challenging

4.0

lucygwrites's review

5.0

This was surprisingly good! I was expecting it to be boring but I actually really enjoyed it.

_tabitha_'s review against another edition

3.75

I liked the translator’s essay, but at times the poem was a bit dull and hard to read because nothing interesting was happening while interesting bits were often cut short.
However, there were some parts I really enjoyed, which mostly made up for the slower bits
I’m still glad that I finally finished it tho.

lanareiss's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

3.5

Wait wait wait. 3 books of “I miss my dad, and these people are scavenging through my house!” and only 1 paragraph about a 6 headed beast that eats men from the sea?

How many times is Dawn gonna finger the sky with her rose-red tips? 

I’m glad I read it. When it was good, it was good. But whew… I’m glad it’s over. 

jerseyfemme's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

This new translation was great! Really enjoyed this reread!

elisereads_'s review

5.0

This was my first dive into classical literature which I read in my A level Classics class. Although I adore the mythology and the general plot of the poem/book, I must say that Odysseus is one of the most unlikeable characters I've ever come across. However, I do recognise that in a classical world Odysseus is an admirable character, whose traits can be found in the epitome of a Greek man/hero. I've enjoyed reading modern adaptions of this in order to understand it better such as The Penelopiad and Siren Song by Margaret Atwood. I would definitely recommend this book not only to those interested in classics but as a book everyone should read.

kord's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mdyang97's review against another edition

5.0

Ah, one of the better novels, in my opinion, out of the four required books from ninth grade English. Greek epics are just magnificent pieces of history and literature combined, and the journey of Odysseus is nothing less than that. The travails he goes through and the style of epics kept me on my seat from the first page. I enjoyed analyzing the writing and it's pretty much my second favorite book from freshman year humanities.

But it's been three years and I don't remember my reactions/opinion so I'll just leave it at that.