The Odyssey
Book description
Homer's great epic, The Odyssey, is perhaps Western literature's first adventure story, and certainly remains one of its finest. It describes King Odysseus of Ithaca's epic, ten-year quest to return home after the Trojan War. He encounters giants, sorceresses, sea-monsters and sirens, while his wife Penelope is forced to resist…
Why read it?
2 authors picked The Odyssey as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
This is an obvious pick, I know. Still, it’s on record as the greatest adventure, the highest bar of duty and courage—and ultimately love.
Homer’s epic detailing Odysseus’ journey home from the Trojan War is fraught with peril and obstacles that would have made a lesser human give up and call it a day.
Destiny called him away, but it was love that brought him home from war. At each crossroad Odysseus was offered an alternative, he chose to return to his wife, his son, and his land. He could have been made immortal.
He was offered riches and greater…
From Athena's list on when destiny calls, and love answers.
I think, in truth, that while I love the translation, it is really Homer and the understanding he has given me of the society that came to create all we think of as “Western Thought.” Odysseus was a man from whom I have learned much about being a man. Alone, cut off from all his companions he struggled for ten years and against obstacles thrown at him by the gods – ok, one god – armed with only his wit, cunning, and courage. And no matter what was thrown at him, he struggled and never gave up. And in the…
From Sam's list on showing that a man is the sum of his choices.
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