Telemachos has a comfortable life on his small island of Ithaka, where his mother Penelopeia keeps the peace even though the land has been without...
read full description
reviews
Jan 26, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Apr 17, 2011
Natalie
rated it: 
Telemachos has long been without a father, and Ithaka without a king. Now, with suitors threatening to force his mother, Penelopeia, into marriage in order to take the kingship, Telemachos has to find out why Odysseus never returned.
Aided by a centaur and a runaway, guided only a seer's cryptic advice, he sets sail for the court of Nestor. On the way they encounter many bizarre creatures, but their biggest danger may be from their fellow men.
I have always loved Greek mytholog More...
Aided by a centaur and a runaway, guided only a seer's cryptic advice, he sets sail for the court of Nestor. On the way they encounter many bizarre creatures, but their biggest danger may be from their fellow men.
I have always loved Greek mytholog More...
Mar 07, 2011
Scribbler
rated it:
Hmmm. What did I like most about THE KING OF ITHAKA? Perhaps that the Greek gods were involved without being too involved? Perhaps the strong-willed female, Polly? Or just that in general I really like the whole setting of weak/lazy prince/princess who ends up a strong ruler/good person?
Probably all of them. I didn't like how many anachronisms there were. (I really hate the way some books pretend like it's just like ancient times, oh, except for this or that just so it's acceptabl More...
Probably all of them. I didn't like how many anachronisms there were. (I really hate the way some books pretend like it's just like ancient times, oh, except for this or that just so it's acceptabl More...
Dec 23, 2010
Aurora
rated it: 
First off, the cover of this book bugged me. I hate the current trend of putting large faces on covers. Books like this creep me out with the people staring back. That said, this book was ok. I'm not 100% into books with a male lead. I just personally prefer female leads, I can identify and empathize better with them. The story, however, was solid, the plot believable, and the characters were interesting. The story is about the son of Odysseus, prince of Ithaca, who has been left behind the whol
More...
Oct 18, 2011
TheBookSmugglers
rated it:
Original review posted HERE
In Greek Mythology, Telemachos is the son of the great Hero Odysseus and a central character in Homer’s poem The Odyssey – its first four books focus on Telamachos’ journey to find news of his missing father, who had been away for about 20 years. After these first few books, Homer concentrates on Odysseus’ journey home until father and son are reunited in a glorious (and gory) ending when they execute the wannabe usurpers of Odysseus’ throne (and suitors of P More...
In Greek Mythology, Telemachos is the son of the great Hero Odysseus and a central character in Homer’s poem The Odyssey – its first four books focus on Telamachos’ journey to find news of his missing father, who had been away for about 20 years. After these first few books, Homer concentrates on Odysseus’ journey home until father and son are reunited in a glorious (and gory) ending when they execute the wannabe usurpers of Odysseus’ throne (and suitors of P More...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jan 27, 2011
Kim
rated it:
Okay, I feel a little bad being tough on this book, like a real nit-picker. I wonder if I just wasn't in the mood to read it, because it took me a while to finish it even though it was a fast read.
Taking my mood into account, fans can totally disregard this review, but I do see that some of the things that bothered me, bothered others.
I'm a really rabid fan of mythology and was really excited to find out this book existed. I remembered Telemachus had a decent storyline in the Odyssey More...
Taking my mood into account, fans can totally disregard this review, but I do see that some of the things that bothered me, bothered others.
I'm a really rabid fan of mythology and was really excited to find out this book existed. I remembered Telemachus had a decent storyline in the Odyssey More...
Mar 01, 2011
Mary
rated it:
A solid and interesting retelling of the myth of the Odyssey, from the point of view of young Telemachos, who in Barret's book is a rather naive and self-deprecating 16-year-old. As the pressure on his mother to marry one of their neighbors grows, the teen longs for his father to return and set the kingdom right. He visits the oracle called "Daisy" - the man-eating daughter of a Titan - who gives him this cryptic prophecy: "Return to the place that is not, on the day that is not,
More...
Feb 17, 2011
Beth
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 06, 2011
Phoebe
rated it:
What a brilliant idea to flesh out the shadowy character of Telemachus, and Barrett does a fine job of making him appealing and interesting. She also does the unexpected, characterizing the great Odysseus as a bit of a creep. Telemachus is best friends with a centaur, who goes along with him on his quest to find and bring his long-missing father home. Stowing away is Telemachus' childhood friend, Polydora, who of course is cute and spunky and represents the requisite love interest. Interesti
More...
Nov 28, 2011
Mara
rated it:
My opinion on this story is divided, so I'll give the pros first. It is well written and very interesting - especially if you're familiar with The Odyssey. It isn't historical fiction, for Tracy Barrett keeps the mythical creatures like centaurs and mermaids in it, so it's more like a myth. However, it still has many rich historical details that flesh out the landscape and sometimes makes the Reader forget that it's not a true story.
And that, I am afraid, is where the pros end. While i More...
And that, I am afraid, is where the pros end. While i More...
May 10, 2011
Josh
rated it:
A whole new spin on the Odyssey. New characters, new personalities, and new adventures. This story is from the POV of Telemakos, Oddyseus' son. The books takes you through what it has been like at home w/o his father, and about the trials and adventures Telemakos must go through to save his kingdom and to find his father. I recommend this book to anyone who liked the plot line of the Odyssey but just not the word choice. I am not a fan of olden fancy word choice, which is in the Oddysey, King of
More...
Feb 01, 2011
Ben
rated it:
I love the Odyssey and Greek history. I appreciated the subtle references (as well as the millions of outright ones), but felt that the tweak to the classic story wasn't given enough of a focus to make it fit the story. I had lots of questions about how Odysseus' absence worked if it wasn't necessarily the reason given in the Odyssey. I liked the characters and felt the story was similar to The Bronze Bow in its historical accuracy and tone. So I'd recommend it to someone who enjoyed Speare's cl
More...
May 09, 2011
E.
rated it:
Okay. I need to start by saying that I’m a complete and total classics nerd. I have a degree in classical studies, I’ve read countless papers on classical mythology, and written several myself. So when it comes to rewriting something like THE ODYSSEY, well, you’d better do it well if you want to impress me, because my eye is beyond critical.
So when I first heard about KING OF ITHAKA by Tracy Barrett I was scared. I was scared that I would hate it even though it looked so good. A r More...
So when I first heard about KING OF ITHAKA by Tracy Barrett I was scared. I was scared that I would hate it even though it looked so good. A r More...
Jan 27, 2011
Kelsey
rated it:
King of Ithaka was a little slow to start off, but the more I read the more I got into Telemachos's story. Odysseus's adventures are ones I've heard and read about many times so it was interesting to see things from the perspective of his son. King of Ithaka was narrated by Telemachos, years after his father had first left. Life was good in Ithaka for Telemachos and his family and friends until his neighbors decide Odysseus is not coming back and it's time for Telemachos's mother to remarry and
More...
May 02, 2011
Sandy
rated it:
2.5 stars, rounded up. This was an interesting take on the story of Odysseus. I liked that the story was told from Telemechos' perspective and the talk about what made a good king was nice, if a bit heavy handed. But I'm not sure I liked how Odysseus was turned into the bad guy, and the writing just somehow tries a little too hard. Enjoyable enough, but nothing spectacular.
May 19, 2011
Kim
rated it:
Telemachos gets center-stage in this Odysseus retelling. He's kind of a bumbling prince, more likely to sneak off with his centaur buddy to watch the local girls swimming than to worry too much about his small kingdom or his mother, Penelope. And how can you miss a dad you've never known? Slowly, slowly, Telemachos wakes up to his situation and sets out to rectify it.
Feb 10, 2012
Laura
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 01, 2011
H
rated it:
a reimagining of the tale of Odysseus from the point of view of his son, left behind on the island. Kids about 10 and up will enjoy Telemachos' journey and adults might enjoy the way some of the familiar elements of the Odyssey are turned upside down. Entertaining and a good choice for those who've exhausted Percy Jackson.
Apr 28, 2011
Theo
rated it:
It's good writing, but Odysseus is my favorite Greek hero and then it made him look really bad. And I've read the Odyssey story enough times to know that the ending is not where Odyseus just comes home to collect a new crew. Just read the Odyssey a few times, and you'll see that Odysseus isn't like that. Why would he do all that to return home, and then just decide to go again? It isn't right! They're waiting for him for so long, and then they go searching for him and then they don't find h
More...
Jul 13, 2011
Codie
rated it: 
This book was full of suspense until the last page. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, although it might have been more useful if I had know more about the Greek god's and goddesses. Good thing my best friend Shannon knew a great deal about it and could fill me in! I recommend it!
Dec 19, 2010
Barrett turns episodes from Homer's Odyssey inside out! At some points I actually gasped when I realized how she was twisting a particular Odyssean episode or character into something quite different, often the opposite of what we find in Homer.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 03, 2011
Pam
rated it:
If you like either mythology or historical fiction, you are sure to like King of Ithaka. Find out why the son of classic hero, Odysseus learns to hate his father! Masterful retelling of The Odyssey!
Jun 16, 2011
TheFrenchman
rated it:
Quite disappointing, really. During the whole book, i expected to discover some great action or something, but it never really came. The only things i enjoyed in this book were the morals taught, and the theme, being ancient Greece.
Jun 02, 2011
Drucilla
rated it:
A pretty neat introduction to a character I didn't know about. It's a good introduction to various parts of the Trojan War as well.
Oct 12, 2010
April
rated it:
Nice prose style with a lot of information about daily life in Ancient Greece sprinkled through, but the ending felt rushed.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 12, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
This book felt a little too much like a history textbook, and not enough like an adventure novel. I was underwhelmed.
Mar 27, 2011
Mackenzie
rated it:
I haven't finished the Odessey yet but I was not expecting that ending. I love this time era
Nov 12, 2010
Kristin
rated it:
Tracy Barrett's KING OF ITHAKA rules! (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) KING is a smart, funny, thought-provoking retelling of the famous tales from Homer, but from Odysseus's son's point-of-view. Sixteen-year-old Telemachos must find his sea-faring, war-mongering father before the kingdom of Ithaka collapses and his mother remarries. Telemachos is a character that teens today will easily relate to, and readers need not be familiar with the classics to understand this tale, though I imagine many a tea
More...
Jan 19, 2011
Jaimie
rated it:
Beautifully fast paced. Not a moment of boredom. When it ended I was almost sad--I wanted it to keep going and going and going :D
Mar 22, 2011
Krista
rated it:
it was a good book but it took a while to finish it with all of the hours taken up in the days but it was a good book!!
