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Homer,D. C. H. Rieu,E. V. Rieu,Peter Jones'sThe Odyssey (Penguin Classics) [Hardcover](2010) Hardcover – January 1, 2010
Purchase options and add-ons
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin Classics Hardcover;
- Publication dateJanuary 1, 2010
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Product details
- ASIN : B0042MVVRS
- Publisher : Penguin Classics Hardcover; (January 1, 2010)
- Language : English
- Item Weight : 1.01 pounds
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,894,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Homer was probably born around 725BC on the Coast of Asia Minor, now the coast of Turkey, but then really a part of Greece. Homer was the first Greek writer whose work survives.
He was one of a long line of bards, or poets, who worked in the oral tradition. Homer and other bards of the time could recite, or chant, long epic poems. Both works attributed to Homer - The Iliad and The Odyssey - are over ten thousand lines long in the original. Homer must have had an amazing memory but was helped by the formulaic poetry style of the time.
In The Iliad Homer sang of death and glory, of a few days in the struggle between the Greeks and the Trojans. Mortal men played out their fate under the gaze of the gods. The Odyssey is the original collection of tall traveller's tales. Odysseus, on his way home from the Trojan War, encounters all kinds of marvels from one-eyed giants to witches and beautiful temptresses. His adventures are many and memorable before he gets back to Ithaca and his faithful wife Penelope.
We can never be certain that both these stories belonged to Homer. In fact 'Homer' may not be a real name but a kind of nickname meaning perhaps 'the hostage' or 'the blind one'. Whatever the truth of their origin, the two stories, developed around three thousand years ago, may well still be read in three thousand years' time.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They appreciate the interesting plot and good discussion that enhance their understanding. The conclusion to the Illiad is also praised.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. Some say it's a great book and required reading for school.
"The translation is quite readable and enjoyable. The discussion of the book is excellent and added a lot to my understanding and appreciation of it." Read more
"this book is the best book I have read for school. it is an amazingly easy read for the time period it was written in and it is very easy for a male..." Read more
"Good if you are just reading “The Odyssey” for pleasure...." Read more
"Greatest book that's ever been written hands down. I definitely recommend it if you're not looking for a quick read," Read more
Customers find the book interesting and engaging. They appreciate the excellent discussion that enhances their understanding and appreciation of the book. The conclusion to the Illiad is also praised.
"The translation is quite readable and enjoyable. The discussion of the book is excellent and added a lot to my understanding and appreciation of it." Read more
"...This book held my attention." Read more
"I use this book for school, very interesting." Read more
"A great conclusion to the Illiad" Read more
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2025Some words you find in hittite clay tablets and their fighting amongs heroes but who knows how far homer goes
- Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2023The translation is quite readable and enjoyable. The discussion of the book is excellent and added a lot to my understanding and appreciation of it.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2014Does a piece of literature get any better? Yes, actually. This translation, while good, doesn't flow in the same way I've seen of a more poetic version do it previously. I can't remember the translator off the top of my head. Perhaps other reviewers could help me out.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2010Knowing the precise condition and price of the item is always great. It helps me with picking out which item best suits me. The Odyssey (paperback) that I received was exactly in the condition as stated in the description of the item on Amazon. I had received it before the given estimated date of arrival. I am very satisfied with the product and with the sender.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2013this book is the best book I have read for school. it is an amazingly easy read for the time period it was written in and it is very easy for a male like me to read due to the fact that its a greek mythology book with quests and trials.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2016This classic title was purchased for a summer reading assignment prior to beginning the high school freshman year. It meets all of the expectations of the assignment.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2013its rare to love a book you are forced to read when you are 16, and yet 12 years later you can't wait to get your hands on it again. I love all of Homers work
- Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018Good if you are just reading “The Odyssey” for pleasure. If you plan to annotate, spend a few extra bucks for the deluxe version (with more space on the sides to write in).
Top reviews from other countries
- peteReviewed in Canada on December 11, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Good Read
Was purchased for a class but have re read it a few times since then as it is a classic! Nothing new to see if you know the story just a good one to keep around or even to lend out or give as a gift!
-
lemoulinrogerReviewed in France on November 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Un classique.... so British!
C'était un cadeau pour une ado.
La version anglaise était à sa demande.
Le livre lui a plu.
- BookaholicReviewed in India on October 30, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Vintage Feel
The book is very light, looks and feels vintage. Good font and paper quality.
Bookaholic
Reviewed in India on October 30, 2024
Images in this review - GazzaReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 15, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars The Odyssey
Just purchased translations of The Odyssey and The Iliad by E.V. Rieu and, though some of the reviews incline to the slightly negative, I can only disagree.
Both books (transitions) are absolutely fine; excellently written so that the prose style emulates the poetry of the originals; extended Introductions, outlining changes made, and why these were needed and considered improvements; and The Iliad, for me the more complex of the two stories (epics), begins each chapter with a hugely helpful, summarised numbered outline of what is to follow, making the reading of the text much more accessible.
True, there may be better translations out there. Personally I can’t really say; but for me these two books read beautifully and I’m totally pleased with my purchase and would recommend them to others who wish to get a taste of these wonderful stories in an engaging, readable format.
I hope you find my review helpful.
- M PeterReviewed in Australia on October 3, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars Easy Read
Interesting read