The Odyssey

Description

The Odyssey

Jan Pieńkowski and David Walser

(Penguin Random House)

A party sent by King Menelaus asks Odysseus to honour a promise to help, should he be required. Menelaus wants Odysseus to rescue Helen from Troy. Odysseus’ contentment upon the island of Ithaca irks the gods. He realises this is his moment to win their approval.

Taking leave of Ithaca, his wife and son, Odysseus cannot know that it will be twenty years before he returns. From Troy, The Odyssey takes our hero to Ismarus, to battle with the Cyclops. It seems he must bear the vengeance of Poseidon and break the faith of Aeolus. However, Odysseus is supported by Athena against the menace of Circe. Thereafter, he fights the lure of the Sirens. However, he is lashed by the rage of Zeus and spurns the attention of Calypso. (We are reminded of Jessie Burton’s wonderful Medusa)

The Odyssey retells a story told through centuries, of heroes, villains, gods and goddesses, rages and wars. Jan Pieńkowski and David Walser have reimagined the saga wonderfully. It seems as though bold pictures, snippets of verse and dynamic storytelling offer a gripping recreation of a classic. In fact, we can imagine the quest, the distance, the obstacles and then the boundless hope of glory and return!