Homer The Odyssey

First posted 6/20/2020; updated 7/6/2020.

The Odyssey Homer

First Publication: 800 B.C. Category: historical/epic poetry Sales: 45 million

Accolades (click on badges to see full lists):

About the Book: “The Odyssey is the original collection of tall traveler’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.” AZ The epic poem “retells the events of the war between Greece and the city of Troy, focusing on Achilles' quarrel with Agamemnon.” BN “Helen, queen of Sparta and the most beautiful woman in the world, is kidnapped by Paris, a Trojan prince. Hungry for revenge, the Greek Army lays siege on Troy. For nine long years they are unsuccessful – until they come up with a plan for their greatest-ever attack on the city. For victory or death, the two armies will collide for the final time.” BN “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…these tales… developed around three thousand years ago, may well still be read in three thousand years’ time.” AZ “Its symbolic evocation of human life as an epic journey homewards has inspired everything from James Joyce’s Ulysses to the Coen brothers' film, O Brother Where Art Thou?” TG Resources and Related Links: AZ Amazon BN Barnes & Noble LN The Literature Network (read online) TG Telegraph: The Perfect Library

Homer's The Iliad

First posted 6/25/2020; updated 7/6/2020.

The Iliad Homer

First Publication: 800 B.C. Category: historical/epic poetry Sales: ?

Accolades (click on badges to see full lists):

About the Book: “The Iliad is the oldest Greek poem and perhaps the best-known epic in Western literature.” BN It “recreates a few dramatic weeks near the end of the fabled Trojan War, ending with the funeral of Hector, defender of the doomed city. Through its majestic verses stride…fabled heroes…never far from the center of the story are the quarreling gods: Zeus, Poseidon, Apollo, Hera, Athena, and Aphrodite.” BN It found “eager new audiences when it was translated into many languages during the Renaissance.” BN It has subsequently “inspired countless works” BN and become “a beloved fixture of early Greek culture,” BN “Its themes of honor, power, status, heroism, and the whims of the gods have ensured its enduring popularity and immeasurable cultural influence.” BN The Greek poet Homer is attributed with writing both The Iliad and The Odyssey although there is debate about “whether his works are…by the same hand, or have their origins in the lays of Homer and his followers (Homeridae).” LN In addition, this “assemblage of stories and legends shaped into a compelling single narrative” BN “was probably recited orally by bards for generations before being written down in the eighth century B.C.” BN Resources and Related Links: BN Barnes & Noble LN The Literature Network (read online) TG Telegraph: The Perfect Library