Waiting for Odysseus [Hardcover]

Clemence McLaren (Author), Robert Goldstrom (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2000

From the moment she first sees the cocky warrior Odysseus, Penelope knows that one day she will be his wife. What she doesn't know is that Odysseus's pride will take him away from her to fight the Trojan War. Penelope must become an expert at waiting, and it is this waiting that proves to be the ultimate test of her courage, patience -- and love.

The sorceress Circe has been waiting for Odysseus to land on her island so she can seduce him with her spells, just as she has countless other men. She never expects to fall in love with him, though, or that he will be the first man capable of resisting her charms.

Odysseus has always been the goddess Athena's favorite mortal, for he, like she, is famous for his wiles. As Athena guides Odysseus through his many trials, she waits with compassion and love to see if he will learn to temper his desire for fame and discover the truth of his own humanity.

Finally, his nanny, Eurycleia, has watched Odysseus grow from a mischievous child into a great hero. As she waits for her beloved master to return home, she keeps loyal watch over those he has journeyed twenty years to see again.

In this innovative retelling of Homer's Odyssey, Clemence McLaren, author of Inside the Walls of Troy, presents the story of Odysseus's epic journey through the hearts of four women who loved and waited for him.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Odysseus took the long way home from the Trojan War--20 years of wandering and adventuring through the islands of the Aegean Sea. The story of his voyage is one of the great tales of Western civilization--but meanwhile, what about the women who loved and yearned for this handsome, crafty hero? Homer has very little to say about how these women felt about being at the mercy of Odysseus's wanderlust. To even the score, Clemence McClaren follows her award-winning Inside the Walls of Troy with a novel that offers a backstage perspective of Odysseus's life and adventures from the voices of the four women who cared most.

First, of course, is the spectacularly faithful Penelope, who was struck with love for Odysseus at first sight, and plotted to win him from her cousin, the beautiful Helen. And then there is the sensuous witch Circe, who turns men into swine and lures Odysseus to stay, only to be caught in the trap of love herself. The virgin goddess Pallas Athene watches over her favorite with fond amusement, and his ancient nurse Eurycleia grumbles and hopes through the long years, raising Odysseus's son Telemachus and helping Penelope fend off a bevy of suitors. As any woman might expect, when the hero finally does return there is emotional baggage to be cleared away before the longed-for happy ending. An extra treat for mythology buffs, especially girls, to accompany a first reading of The Odyssey, or simply to be enjoyed as an exotic love story. (Ages 12 and older) --Patty Campbell

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-9-For generations, the story of Odysseus has intrigued readers who have followed the Greek hero's journey from Ithaca to Troy and then from island to island as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War. Like many retellers before her, McClaren uses the basic tale first recounted in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, but instead of narrating the events in the voice of Odysseus, she tells the story from the point of view of the four women who were most intimately affected. The tale begins romantically as Penelope tells of meeting, falling in love with, and marrying Odysseus. The seductress Circe, in love with the willing though homesick Odysseus, continues his story, which is then picked up by the goddess Pallas Athena. She helps him reach home where he must rid his palace of suitors who demand that Penelope marry one of them. Here, his old nursemaid, Eurycleia, continues the narration and relates the satisfying ending of this journey. By changing the narrator a number of times, McClaren adds variety and richness to this already dramatic tale, full to bursting with love, adventure, and hard questions about life. The women's voices are distinctive, and their stories broaden readers' understanding of the meaning of this timeless journey. In her fine epilogue, McClaren discusses characters, themes, and symbols, and she explains some of the underlying questions that made her tell the story in a way that addresses the concerns and interests of modern readers.
Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum; 1st edition (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689828756
• ISBN-13: 978-0689828751
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clemence McLaren is a mastermind! This book is amazing!, October 26, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Waiting for Odysseus (Hardcover)

As soon as I was asked to read this book, I was ecstatic. I had just finished reading Inside The Walls of Troy, another fantastic book by Mrs. McLaren, and I was lusting after another book by her. I really love her unique way of portraying her way of looking at the story, and telling it through the women in the story. Through her books, I looked at the women in ways I had never thought of looking at them. I had never imagined Penelope the way Mrs. McLaren showed her, and thinking of her that way truly opened my eyes. I am always on the lookout for new books, and my favorite genres are Historical Fiction, Fantasy Fiction, and Science Fiction. Of all of the Historical Fiction books that I've read, Clemence McLaren is definetely my favorite author. In other books I've read, it's always from the same viewpoint, but she really gets into the characters heads, and shows you their personality in a new light. Books like Waiting for Odysseus and Inside the Walls of Troy are inspirations to all aspiring writers. Anyone who is interested in Greek Mythology has to read them. They are true gems in the group of retold Greek Myths.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Odysseus's Women "rock"!, June 23, 2000

By 

Mary Haven (Visalia, California) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Waiting for Odysseus (Hardcover)

As an English teacher I found this book to be very enlightning. It follows Odysseus' adventures closely. The perspective of 4 of the women in his life is very refreshing, especially since the epic poem is from his point of view. The reading level is well-placed for 8-10th grades. I intend to use it next year in my class following the reading of "The Odyssey".

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Expanding your mind in a twist...., January 10, 2002

By 

Erwin (around the corner) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waiting for Odysseus (Hardcover)

This is a very well written book, yet there are some parts that guys cannot relate to. Yet if someone like myself, that is really interested into Greek mythology, you will really get into this book. This book has many qualities that keeps the book interesting...deception, revenge, romance, and brawling. Waiting for Odesseus trully will keep you in the chair reading, it has many in depth parts that in The Oddessy never really went to describe much. Waiting for Odesseus is read through the eyes of the women of The Oddessy, i think its some what of a twist, Waiting for Odesseus gives life to the women who would have never been described as much. I really dont read books much, but this was probably the only book I have really read in a couple years. Its worth it, if you like Greek Mythology stuff.