The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of the Odyssey [Mass Market Paperback]

Rosemary Sutcliff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 13, 2005

A master storyteller and an award-winning illustrator evoke the golden age of mythical Greece in this spirited retelling of The Odyssey.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8?As with Black Ships Before Troy (Delacorte, 1993), Sutcliff's retelling of The Illiad, the story of The Odyssey is presented in an accessible, enjoyable format. A brief prologue sets the scene after the fall of Troy. The chapters, each of which tells of a challenge Odysseus faced, are not episodic, but rather come together as a continuing story. Sutcliff creates an intimate portrait of a man whose greatest desire is to return to his wife and home, despite great temptations. He is portrayed as a conquering hero-god, but with a touch of sadness. The reteller uses storytelling techniques to engage readers and the language and rhythm of a bard to maintain the story's flow. The detailed watercolor illustrations are dreamlike and soft-edged. They set the mood for the essence of particular episodes and display the horrors of battle where appropriate. Reading the first book would clarify Odysseus's entire tale, but is not necessary to the enjoyment of this volume. The pronunciation guide and map are helpful. Readers will enjoy this classic adventure, and they may be inspired to explore Greek mythology further.?Cheri Estes, Detroit Country Day School Middle School, Beverly Hills, MI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 5^-8. A companion to Black Ships before Troy (1993), this handsome, large-size volume retells Homer's Odyssey with thrilling drama. There's no clashing climax like the Iliad's Wooden Horse, but the story of the hero's long years of wandering in the wilderness has the mythic power of everyone's search for home. Several episodes are just right for reading aloud, from the blinding of the Cyclops and his howl of revenge to the quiet courage of Penelope trying to hold off the suitors. Lee's watercolor paintings in shades of blue and brown capture the furious action of the wild ocean and the rocky shore, as in the double-page spread of the ship caught between Scylla and Charybdis. Several pictures also focus on lonely people wrenched apart. Sutcliff's narrative style is not as taut as in Black Ships, but in the best parts, she fuses epic grandeur with a direct simplicity that will bring the universal story home. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf; Reissue edition (December 13, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553494821
• ISBN-13: 978-0553494822
• Product Dimensions: 4.8 x 0.4 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,833 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Greek & Roman

More About the Author

Rosemary Sutcliff wrote more than 40 historical novels for young adults-including The Eagle of the Ninth, The Silver Branch, The Lantern Bearers, The Sword and the Circle, and Black Ships Before Troy-five adult novels, and several books of nonfiction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Nice Book - a review of "The Wanderings of Odysseus", May 20, 2007

By 

Pam Tee "Busy Mom" - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Wanderings of Odysseus: The Story of The Odyssey (Hardcover)

I've been reading and comparing children's books which retell the tales of brave Odysseus, and this one rates well. In general, I found it an engaging read that had nice artwork that portrays the dress and architecture of those times.

The author begins the story with a prologue that talks about the battle before the walls of Troy. She then briefly covers the sack of the Trojan cities before picking up the story on the island of the Cyclops. Unlike another book that I quite liked -- "The Odyssey" which was retold by Robin Lister - this book is written in a slightly more formal style. There is a "search inside this book" feature for both books so you can take a look and decide which style you and/or your child might like - although I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Here are two paragraphs for a quickie comparison.

Example from the current Sutcliff edition:

Then Odysseus brought the sharpened stake from its hiding place and
made the point hot in the fire, while the rest of his band - there were but
six of them now - stood round ready and waiting. And when the point
glowed clear red, they took it up and with all their strength drove it into
the giant's one eye and rammed it home, and Odysseus twirled it as
though it were some mighty timber drill.

Example from Robin Lister's version:
The Odyssey (Kingfisher Epics)

He awoke suddenly in a cold sweat. For a
moment he thought another nightmare had begun.
Everywhere he looked he saw eyes staring at him,
and he froze like an animal froze in it's lair. As
his own eyes adjusted to the dim light, he was
amazed to see a group of young women peering
into his shelter.

Although this book - Sutcliff's - has fewer pages it contains more detail in my opinion, mentioning episodes such as young Elpenor's death as he descends from the ladder at Circe's palace; and it mentions more people by name, such as Penelope's various suitors.

Four Stars. Good Storying telling. Very Nice pastel artwork. Mild Adult themes. For those of a very conservative nature I would point out that there are one or two pictures portraying partial upper body nudity. As this is an ancient tale, expect various acts of violence.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best version of the Odyssey for children, May 21, 2002

By 

"dab_68" (Brownsville, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wanderings of Odysseus (Hardcover)

I just finished reading the Wanderings of Odysseus to my five year old. Most people would hesitate to read something so complex to one so young, but Ms. Sutcliff breaks up the scenes into manageable bits, which are beautifully illustrated. And while I did need to simplify and explain many of Ms. Sutcliff's words to my little one, she actually looked forward to reading it.
I guess the best compliment that I can pay to this version, is that I read it 3 years ago to my oldest child who was then 5. As I read it to my younger one, my older child would come in periodically to find out what part we were on. He still remembered it quite well and even stopped to listen to it frequently. There are precious few books that appeal to so many ages.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb read-aloud for elementary age students!, September 24, 2002

By 

Kathleen Funk (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wanderings of Odysseus (Hardcover)

This version of The Odyssey is beautifully illustrated, but even if you do not show them the pictures, your children will sit spellbound by the poetic language used by Rosemary Sutcliffe. The many adventures of Odysseus on his way home from the Trojan War were thrilling to my 6- and 8-year-old children, and I often found them acting out the day's reading with their stuffed animals later in the afternoon. This is not a "dumbed-down" version of the Odyssey-- it is appropriate for adults as well as children. The poetic style of Homer's original is continued by Sutcliffe. I heartily recommend this book, as well as her book, "Black Ships Before Troy", which is her version of Homer's "The Iliad".