The Odyssey (Oxford Illustrated Classics) (Paperback)

~ (Adapter), (Author), Victor G. Ambrus (Illustrator) "The war lasted so very, very long..." (more)
Key Phrases: clashing rocks, Island of the Sun, King of Ithaca, Pelicata Palace (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A lively, brief retelling with colorful, action-filled pictures."--Los Angeles Times Book Review
"This serious retelling of the Odyssey, illustrated with lush watercolors and line drawings, is a modern prose version of Homer's epic tale about Odysseus's return from Troy. A good introduction to Homer and an exciting story."--Reviews from Parent Council
"A real winner."--Children's Bookwatch
"McCaughrean's fine retelling of Odysseus' wanderings is a heroic tale in the truest sense of the It captures all the drama and bloodcurdling action of the original work while making the story accessible to young people in language that is still vigorous and expressive.... Illustrations by Victor Ambrus complement McCaughrean's style perfectly, their bold colors and lively portrayals displaying all the energy of the text."--Booklist

Product Description

This is a retelling of Homer's Odyssey for children, starting from the destruction of Troy and recounting the many dangers that Odysseus faced on his long journey home to Ithaca. Geraldine McCaughrean's lively and original style is complemented by Victor Ambrus's brilliant recreations of the ancient word and its monsters and gods. The paperback edition is now reissued with a new cover.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192741837
• ISBN-13: 978-0192741837
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 7.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,397,767 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Homer restored to his rightful place as serious competition, January 15, 2001

By	elisa carlson (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

...for Pokemon, dinosaurs, ghost stories, Robin Hood, and piratical history! I am no classical scholar, as is obvious from that last sentence, but I am a mom who reads alot to her children and I've a working understanding of Homer's poetic tale, The Odyssey. Ms. McCaughrean's version was gripping! We had a very hard time putting it down the first time, and on our second read through we just kept going until the end! This book enthralled a 7 and a 4, while remaining as true to the text as I've seen yet in a children's version (slight editing may be required for the very squeamish or quite young.) My children acted the tale out on their own when we were through and held impromptu literary discussions for days afterwards. Like Bible stories, Greek myths have been done a thousand times over for children. Before you set off to wade through to find the diamonds, take my word for it that this is definitely one of them. Also, her collection of classic mythical stories is recommended although, dare I say it, this is even better than that.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars All the Hits, December 2, 2004

By	Michael S. Mahoney "Gruffybear" (Goshen, Kentucky, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Odyssey (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

For young readers not yet ready to tackle Homer in translation this prose version is a superb introduction to the epic's most stirring episodes. McCaughrean writes in an alliterative prose which honors the poetry of the original. She pumps new life into the tangle with the Cyclops, the lure of the Sirens, and the final smackdown on Ithaca when a weathered Odysseus teaches the loutish suitors a thing or two. Seventh graders here have really warmed to this commendable retelling. Our ancient history curriuculum has certainly benefitted from its inclusion.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Odyssey review, August 21, 2006

By	Antoinette B. Flynn (fort myers florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Odyssey (Puffin Classics) (Paperback)

this book was for a 11year old girl who was doing a school summer project. She loved the book, the simplicity of the story and had her project completed in two days