The great epic of Western literature, translated by the acclaimed classicist Robert Fagles Soon to be a major motion picture directed by Christopher Nolan A Penguin Classic 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. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents 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.
Average Rating
Informations
About the author
Homer
Author
Homer was an ancient Greek poet who is credited as the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Despite doubts about his authorship, Homer is considered one of the most influential authors in history.
The Odyssey
by Homer
Books Like The Odyssey
If you're looking for books similar to The Odyssey, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Divine Comedy
Dante Alighieri
An epic poem describing a spiritual journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Like the Odyssey, it involves a transformative journey with mythological and supernatural elements. The narrative follows the protagonist's moral and spiritual development. Dante's work explores themes of human experience and divine intervention.
The Iliad
Homer
Another epic poem by Homer that precedes the Odyssey, focusing on the Trojan War. It tells the story of the final weeks of the war between the Greeks and Trojans. The narrative centers on the rage of Achilles and the battles surrounding the siege of Troy. This foundational work of Western literature shares similar themes of heroism, divine intervention, and human struggle with the Odyssey.
The Ramayana
Valmiki
An ancient Indian epic about Prince Rama's journey and quest to rescue his wife. Similar to the Odyssey, it involves a heroic journey with divine interventions and moral challenges. The narrative explores themes of duty, loyalty, and heroism. The Ramayana represents an epic journey from a different cultural perspective.
The Aeneid
Virgil
An epic poem that follows Aeneas's journey after the fall of Troy as he seeks a new homeland. Similar to Odysseus, Aeneas faces numerous challenges and divine interventions during his long voyage. The narrative explores themes of destiny, heroism, and the founding of a new civilization. Virgil's epic draws direct inspiration from Homer's works and shares similar narrative structures.
Don Quixote
Miguel de Cervantes
A novel about a knight who embarks on a series of adventures inspired by chivalric romances. While more comedic, it shares the Odyssey's theme of a transformative journey. The protagonist encounters various challenges and explores the nature of heroism and imagination. Cervantes's work reimagines the epic journey through a satirical lens.
Inferno
Dante Alighieri
The first part of the Divine Comedy, describing a journey through the circles of Hell. Like the Odyssey, it involves a transformative journey with mythological elements. The narrative explores human sin and divine judgment. Dante's work reimagines the epic journey as a spiritual and moral exploration.
Moby-Dick
Herman Melville
A novel about Captain Ahab's obsessive quest to hunt a white whale, featuring an epic maritime journey. The narrative explores themes of human determination, nature, and existential struggle. Like the Odyssey, it involves a challenging voyage with philosophical undertones. Melville's work reimagines the epic journey in a more modern context.
Beowulf
Unknown
An Old English epic poem that follows the heroic journey of Beowulf, a legendary warrior who fights monsters and protects kingdoms. Like Odysseus, Beowulf is a hero who must overcome supernatural challenges through courage and strength. The poem explores themes of heroism, fate, and the struggle between good and evil. It represents an epic journey of a legendary hero facing extraordinary challenges.
The Epic of Gilgamesh
Unknown
One of the earliest known literary works, this Mesopotamian epic follows the journey of Gilgamesh, a legendary king seeking immortality. The hero faces supernatural challenges and undergoes a transformative journey similar to Odysseus. The poem explores themes of friendship, mortality, and human limitations. It represents an ancient exploration of heroic quest and divine interaction.
Paradise Lost
John Milton
An epic poem that retells the biblical story of humanity's fall from grace. Like the Odyssey, it features grand mythological themes and explores human struggle against powerful forces. The narrative follows Satan's rebellion and Adam and Eve's expulsion from Eden. Milton's work shares the Odyssey's epic scale and exploration of human nature.
The Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer
A collection of stories told by pilgrims traveling to Canterbury, representing a narrative journey. Like the Odyssey, it explores human nature through a series of interconnected tales. The work features diverse characters and their personal stories during a collective journey. Chaucer's narrative shares the epic's interest in human experiences and storytelling.
The Popol Vuh
Unknown
A sacred Mayan text describing the mythology and creation story of the K'iche' people. Like the Odyssey, it involves mythological narratives and heroic journeys. The work explores themes of creation, divine intervention, and human struggle. The Popol Vuh represents an epic narrative from Mesoamerican mythology.
The Song of Roland
Unknown
A medieval French epic poem about Roland, a legendary warrior fighting against Moorish invaders. Like the Odyssey, it features heroic battles and mythological themes. The narrative explores concepts of honor, loyalty, and heroic sacrifice. The work represents a medieval European interpretation of the epic journey.
The Argonautica
Apollonius of Rhodes
An epic poem about Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece, featuring a heroic journey with mythological challenges. Like the Odyssey, it involves maritime adventures, divine interventions, and heroic trials. The narrative follows Jason and the Argonauts as they navigate treacherous seas and supernatural obstacles. The work shares the Odyssey's themes of adventure and mythological exploration.
No account connected — sign in to comment.