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3rd out of 100 books
—
8 voters
The Children's Homer: The Adventures of Odysseus and the Tale of Troy
Travel back to a mythical time when Achilles, aided by the gods, waged war against the Trojans. And join Odysseus on his journey through murky waters, facing obstacles like the terrifying Scylla and whirring Charybdis, the beautiful enchantress Circe, and the land of the raging Cyclôpes. Using narrative threads from The Iliad and The Odyssey, Padraic Colum weaves a stunnin...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
October 1st 1982
by Simon Pulse
(first published 1918)
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This children's version was used to introduce my fifth grade class to Homer, a.k.a., the greatest author ever to have lived. Now, naturally, being a stickler purist, I had countless issues with leaving out this that or the other thing. In the desire to protect the children! won't somebody think of the children! from the more shocking elements of The Illiad and the Odyssey, Padraic Colum removed the teeth from certain scenes. I am more of the Grimm's fairy tale school of thought, but the fact of...more
Listened to the audio version, and I didn't care much for it. Narrator's voice changed often, and not just because he was using a different voice for a different character. Pacing was off, and didn't seem to fit the narrative. Sometimes the narrator sounded as if he were telling a bedtime story to a child, but then at other times, his voice was even. I think those who are coming to the story for the first time will enjoy reading the printed version, but I wonder why standard English wasn't used....more
Really good book! I read this to my kids, ages 5, 9, and 10. We all really enjoyed reading this as we were studying ancient times.
We avoided the confusion that other reviewers have mentioned by making a little chart to put on the wall. Whenever we came across someone like Paris in the story, we could refer to the chart to remind us of who that was.
I never read (nor in all honesty do I intend to read) the unabridged versions of Homer's tales. This book was all the story with a little less labor...more
We avoided the confusion that other reviewers have mentioned by making a little chart to put on the wall. Whenever we came across someone like Paris in the story, we could refer to the chart to remind us of who that was.
I never read (nor in all honesty do I intend to read) the unabridged versions of Homer's tales. This book was all the story with a little less labor...more
It's no substitute for the real thing, but it's very well done. He manages to blend the two epics without the joins showing, and keeps the essentials of the story while omitting the blood and guts and many of the Olympian shenanigans. He makes the characters of the heroes very clear, though he does rather improve Odysseus by glossing over some of the 'craftiness' of the original - and Achilles gets off lightly, too. I can't think, though, who would read this nowadays - far too archaic for most c...more
I thought that the book was OK in some parts because the names of the people who went with Odysseus kept mixing around in my head, so it really confused me. I still have no idea what happened to Hercules at the end and how he died, with all the people who went with Odysseus, I only know what happened to him, his son, and his wife. The pictures were sort of hard to understand because almost all the boys and all the girls looked the same. The whole thing, I would say is OK.
I read this with my 9-year old son for homeschool and we both really enjoyed it. Colum did an excellent job of bringing the tale of Troy alive. This is a great way to introduce kids (or even adults) to the Iliad and Odyssey in an easy-to-understand format. When they're older, they can tackle the real thing, with familiarity with the stories thanks to this book.
I was kind of skeptical that my memory of enjoying this as a child was accurate, but it ended up being extremely engaging, for any age I think. Love the non-linear storytelling. Those Greeks sure know how to spin a tale. Or 2. Or 500 in one.
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Err, the books I'm reading and have lined up are solid non-fiction, and this was the only exception? Maybe someday I'll read the adult's homer, but first I'm going to revisit the copy I read when I was eight. It was originally published in 1918 by an Iris...more
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Err, the books I'm reading and have lined up are solid non-fiction, and this was the only exception? Maybe someday I'll read the adult's homer, but first I'm going to revisit the copy I read when I was eight. It was originally published in 1918 by an Iris...more
This was an amazing edition. The one thing that might irritate some people is that its a "childrens" book. But its a childrens book from like 1918, so no more than LoTR is a childrens book. Anyway I'm pretty sure all that means in this context is that the pacing is faster than in the original, some of the blood + guts + weird ancient times sex is taken out. Pacing in ancient epics is always snail-like so this might not be a negative depending on whos reading.
The ancient greek-esque illustrations...more
The ancient greek-esque illustrations...more
I downloaded the a free audio version and listened to it with my children at bedtime. I had never read the original Homer but I knew of the tale. It was nice to hear the adventures and tales in accessible language.
Nov 22, 2008
Zazzy
added it
OMG THIS was horrible! my teacher made us read this in the 5th grade, and made us write 5 sentences on each chapter, there is like fifty chapters!
I had to read this for one of my classes this year and the book was ok, not the best. It had its ups and downs.
AWESOME! Finally the tale of Odysseus in a language I can actually understand! The plot is surprisingly interesting...
I was a little cunfusing. I think at one piont some one was telling a story of a man who told a story.
its pretty exiting but they talk kinda wierd. but theres lots of fights and its cool
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The first part is a little confusing but besides that it is an awesome book!!!!
Trying to get this on audio CD--great exposure to the Illiad and the Odyssey.
Homer adapted for young readers by noted Irish poet perfect for reading aloud.
Wonderful way to introduce Homer to kids and learn the Odyssey
Instead of grading papers, I read it to my daughter.
Quite good.... Children of Odin is better of course
I read this child's revision of The Iliad and The Odyssey to my three children ages 7-10. We all liked this introduction to Greek literature.
I was encouraged to purchase lectures on both stories from The Teaching Company. The lectures have opened my mind to help prepare me for when I do read the full English translation of both stories.
You are introduced to all these names you might have heard growing up. Like Achilles, Paris, Hector, the Greek gods,Helen, Agamemnon,and on and on.
This is a good...more
I was encouraged to purchase lectures on both stories from The Teaching Company. The lectures have opened my mind to help prepare me for when I do read the full English translation of both stories.
You are introduced to all these names you might have heard growing up. Like Achilles, Paris, Hector, the Greek gods,Helen, Agamemnon,and on and on.
This is a good...more
Mar 08, 2012
Jaeger Matthias
added it
troy.....................................
Padraic Colum managed to simplify the tale for easy modern reading, yet retain the poetic rhythm.
Great history
I do not like Greek and Roman mythology, but I had to read this because it is part of the sixth grade curriculum that I had to teach. I never read the Iliad or the Odyssey in high school, so it was a great way to get the basics of the story in an easier format. I really find that my kids get into the adventure of the story, and as their teacher, I get swept along with their energy. It really is a great abridged version.
Colum's text and Pogany's illustrations do justice to the epic, ancient feel of the Odyssey and the Iliad while adapting them for child readers. A child who read this at the age of 9 or 10 might want to seek out the epic poems themselves at an older age. If not, they would familiarize themselves with the people and stories that form part of our cultural heritage. Either way, it's worth the effort.
Excellent Librivox recording by Elizabeth Klett.
Since I managed to get through both H.S. and college w/o reading the The Iliad or The Odyssey, I am glad to have finally read this adaptation to my children so at least I know the story!
The kids and I really enjoyed this book. This is a great first introduction to Homer, capturing all the excitement, adventure and emotion of the original stories. Highly recommended for children ages 8 and up.
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Padraic Colum was an Irish poet, novelist, dramatist, biographer and collector of folklore. He was one of the leading figures of the Celtic Revival. (Source)
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Jun 06, 2009 03:23pm