Customer Reviews

Waiting for Odysseus

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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".

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.

Waiting For Odysseus was a fun book to read. It filled me in on the women's point of view of Odysseus' journey home. However, it was a lot like The Odyssey. I would recommend this book to anybody who enjoys reading The Odyssey or about Greek Mythology.

This book was fantastic! Usually, you never hear about the women in Greek or Roman mythology, but in this book, the whole story is told through the women's point of view.
My favorite was the profile of the story as told by Penelope, because since it was the first, it set the stage for all chapters ahead of this one. She was a lot less quiet in her own words than she is in the Odyssey. The suitors, on the other hand, are bad! Very bad! You don't spend someone's money and try to seduce their wife, unless your sure that the guy is dead!
It gets difficult, but it just has to be. This is a great book, in language simple enough to understand, not like the actual book, and pretty much every woman can relate to.

9th Grade reader:14 years old This book is a good book. I enjoyed reading it. I would recomend that if you have read the Odyssey not to read it, because it is very similar. But if you have not read the Odyssey, read it!

I would like to personally thank Mrs. McLaren for writing this wonderful book as well as 'Inside the Walls of Troy'. I found both of these spectacular books absolutely fascinating and I strongly contradict those illiterate people out there who don't appreciate good literature. I already knew the stories of the Iliad and the Odyssey when I read these books, but they gave me a whole, new and different point of view on the subject. The first time I read the book, I couldn't put it down. I believe this book will now rank among my favorites, which I read over and over again. Some of those books are the 'Golden Compass', and 'Wild Magic'. This book defienetly is destined to be ranked among the best. I would also like to thank Mrs. McLaren for visiting our classroom, and I encourage her to keep on writing, for those who truly appreciate good literature.

My daughter was assigned "The Odyssey" as a summer reading assignment for her high school freshman IB English class. The instructor recommended reading "Waiting for Odysseus" first to get a better understanding of the characters (especially the female characters) in "The Odyssey". My daughter really enjoyed McLaren's book and she refers back to it frequently as she makes her way through "The Odyssey." I would recommend this book to anyone who gets assigned "The Odyssey."

I read "Aphrodite's Blessings" before and when i ordered it, i decided to give this one a shot. I love this story! I remember reading the Odyessy back in 6th grade and this was such a fresh and more interesting take on it. I really enjoyed reading it... and believe me... that is a complement coming from someone who normally doesn't like to read. I love McLaren's books and hope to read more of them soon.

We've all heard the story of Homer's Oddessey: Greek hero Oddysseus coming back from the Trojan wars spends 10 years fighting his way back to his home on Ithaca. This book takes that story to a whole new level.

This is the Oddessey told through the eyes of the women who knew him best. First Penelope, Oddysseus' wife tells the story of how they met and fell in love. Next Circe, the sorceress who turns men into swine recounts how she fell for the great hero. Greek goddess Athena recounts how she watches after her favorite mortal, and the story ends with the accounts of Eurycleia; Oddysseus' old nurse who has raised his son in his absence and is the first to recognize him when he comes home.

This wasn't the best mythology retelling I've ever read, but it was enough to keep me interested. It is a little more appropriate for female readers (the lack of gory battle scenes may make adventure lovers loose interest), but everyone can enjoy it. Greek society was very male-oriented and women are often neglected or overlooked in many Greek myths. Check out this new version of the Odyssey from the female point of view!