The Odyssey

By Emily Wilson (translator),

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked The Odyssey as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Once Troy was conquered, the Greeks had to get back home. Few heroes managed this without drama, but even on this benchmark, Odysseus’ ten-year (a-hem) odyssey was an outlier.

You can read this as the first great traveller’s tale: the Odyssey will immerse you in a giant, detailed story world of gods, heroes, and monsters traversed by a protagonist famous for his clever schemes and his stretching of the truth.

Emily Wilson’s translation really can’t be beaten: she brings before our eyes and ears again a fantasy world given weight by very human stories of loss and longing.

Want books like The Odyssey?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Odyssey.

Browse books like The Odyssey

Book cover of The Iliad
Book cover of Antigone Rising: The Subversive Power of the Ancient Myths
Book cover of The Trojan Horse and Other Stories: Ten Ancient Creatures That Make Us Human

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,206

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the Odyssey, Greek mythology, and Odysseus?

The Odyssey 40 books
Greek Mythology 92 books
Odysseus 32 books