2019-10-04
This book comes in three main sections:
1. Telemachus crying about his missing father; Penelope crying about her missing husband
2. Odysseus telling stories, some of which are his famous adventures only very briefly told, others are simply long fibs to hide his identity
3. Telemachus crying about his missing father; Penelope crying about her missing husband – who is then revealed to have returned!
There are various references to characters and events from The Iliad, as well as a growing tension as Odysseus hides from – then plots – the killing of the suitors who are ruining his home. However, the most famous stories of Odysseus’s travels are surprisingly brief.
I choose the translation by Fagles because it appeared the most effective use of English while keeping faithful to the presentation of the original. It’s made very clear from reading how this is a story performed as much as sung, with sections possibly performed as standalones – hence a lot of repetition of what has gone on before.
As with The Iliad there are some nice insights into European Iron Age culture, but as a story it’s difficult to enjoy as a reading experience because it was never written for that purpose.
Rating: 2/5