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Homer's Odyssey: An Illustrated Retelling
Not yet published
Expected 16 Jun 26A lush, illustrated prose edition of Homer's Odyssey, written by American classical scholar Barry Powell and featuring beautiful, woodcut-style artwork
Soon to be a major motion picture directed by Christopher Nolan.
Embark on a timeless journey with Homer's Odyssey, one of the most epic and enduring works of Western literature. Illustrated by dramatic, colorful artwork, Barry Powell's retelling of the 24 chapters captures the grandeur and lyrical feel of the original appealing to both fans of the story and those reading Odyssey for the very first time.
To the This is not a translation as such of Homer’s Odyssey, but a retelling of the story filtered through my own sense of modern English. I aim to tell the story as Homer would tell it if he were alive today. Homer was an oral poet, so can never know his exact words. In life, his performance would have been bound up with the sound of the lyre, the intonation of his voice, and the atmosphere of the song. But the power of Homer’s storytelling is so great that the story has endured for nearly 3,000 years. This is the story you're about to read. --from the Introduction
Two decades have passed since Odyssey left to fight the Trojan War, and his family is desperate for him to be home. Shipwrecked on the island of Ogygia and held captive by the nymph Calypso, Odysseus is finally released with the gods’ intervention only to face several more challenges that test his resilience, loyalty, and perseverance. From encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus to the enchantress Circe, and the deadly Sirens, these trials test Odysseus’s own cunning and resourcefulness as he struggles to get home.
With themes of resilience, loyalty, and the power of intellect over brute strength—amid tales of mythical creatures and divine beings—Odyssey still resonates today, having influenced countless works of art. With 50 illustrations packaged in a foil-stamped hardcover, The Illustrated Odyssey brings Homer’s epic to life in a vivid, accessible form.
Soon to be a major motion picture directed by Christopher Nolan.
Embark on a timeless journey with Homer's Odyssey, one of the most epic and enduring works of Western literature. Illustrated by dramatic, colorful artwork, Barry Powell's retelling of the 24 chapters captures the grandeur and lyrical feel of the original appealing to both fans of the story and those reading Odyssey for the very first time.
To the This is not a translation as such of Homer’s Odyssey, but a retelling of the story filtered through my own sense of modern English. I aim to tell the story as Homer would tell it if he were alive today. Homer was an oral poet, so can never know his exact words. In life, his performance would have been bound up with the sound of the lyre, the intonation of his voice, and the atmosphere of the song. But the power of Homer’s storytelling is so great that the story has endured for nearly 3,000 years. This is the story you're about to read. --from the Introduction
Two decades have passed since Odyssey left to fight the Trojan War, and his family is desperate for him to be home. Shipwrecked on the island of Ogygia and held captive by the nymph Calypso, Odysseus is finally released with the gods’ intervention only to face several more challenges that test his resilience, loyalty, and perseverance. From encounters with the Cyclops Polyphemus to the enchantress Circe, and the deadly Sirens, these trials test Odysseus’s own cunning and resourcefulness as he struggles to get home.
With themes of resilience, loyalty, and the power of intellect over brute strength—amid tales of mythical creatures and divine beings—Odyssey still resonates today, having influenced countless works of art. With 50 illustrations packaged in a foil-stamped hardcover, The Illustrated Odyssey brings Homer’s epic to life in a vivid, accessible form.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝐎𝐡, 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐞, 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐎𝐝𝐲𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐮𝐬, 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬, 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐝𝐨𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐲.
Some stories never lose their power, and this retelling of THE ODYSSEY reminded me exactly why. This edition follows Odysseus, who has been gone from his home island of Ithaca for twenty years fighting in the Trojan War and struggling to make his way back home. Freed from captivity on Calypso's island Ogygia, he faces relentless trials, from the Cyclops Polyphemus to to the witch Circe and the enchanting Sirens, each challenge testing not just his strength but his cunning and resolve. Barry B. Powell retells the epic in rich, modern prose rather than verse, making the sweeping narrative feel immediate and accessible, while the dramatic, colorful illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and elevate the entire reading experience.
I have to say this personally: THE ODYSSEY was always my favorite piece of literature to teach during my years as an English teacher. There is something about Odysseus that has stayed with me for decades. Even his name carries weight. It’s derived from the Greek word 𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒊, meaning to suffer or to be in pain, so his name translates to “Man of Pain.” And what a fitting name that is. His journey is one of endurance, of perseverance through loss and longing, of learning when to rely on strength and when to rely on wisdom. Those themes still feel painfully relevant today. We are all, in some way, trying to make it home.
What makes this retelling so special is how inviting it feels. The prose flows beautifully without sacrificing the grandeur of the original, and the illustrations make it feel like something you want to linger over. If this is a classic you skipped because it felt intimidating, please give this version a try. It captures the heart of Homer’s story in a way that welcomes readers of all ages while honoring its depth. For me, revisiting this epic felt like coming back to an old friend, and it only reinforced why this story has endured for nearly three thousand years. So many thanks to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this stunning early read that will publish June 16, 2026.
Some stories never lose their power, and this retelling of THE ODYSSEY reminded me exactly why. This edition follows Odysseus, who has been gone from his home island of Ithaca for twenty years fighting in the Trojan War and struggling to make his way back home. Freed from captivity on Calypso's island Ogygia, he faces relentless trials, from the Cyclops Polyphemus to to the witch Circe and the enchanting Sirens, each challenge testing not just his strength but his cunning and resolve. Barry B. Powell retells the epic in rich, modern prose rather than verse, making the sweeping narrative feel immediate and accessible, while the dramatic, colorful illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and elevate the entire reading experience.
I have to say this personally: THE ODYSSEY was always my favorite piece of literature to teach during my years as an English teacher. There is something about Odysseus that has stayed with me for decades. Even his name carries weight. It’s derived from the Greek word 𝒐𝒅𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒂𝒊, meaning to suffer or to be in pain, so his name translates to “Man of Pain.” And what a fitting name that is. His journey is one of endurance, of perseverance through loss and longing, of learning when to rely on strength and when to rely on wisdom. Those themes still feel painfully relevant today. We are all, in some way, trying to make it home.
What makes this retelling so special is how inviting it feels. The prose flows beautifully without sacrificing the grandeur of the original, and the illustrations make it feel like something you want to linger over. If this is a classic you skipped because it felt intimidating, please give this version a try. It captures the heart of Homer’s story in a way that welcomes readers of all ages while honoring its depth. For me, revisiting this epic felt like coming back to an old friend, and it only reinforced why this story has endured for nearly three thousand years. So many thanks to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this stunning early read that will publish June 16, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this advance copy for free from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are my own
The Odyssey is one of those timeless tales that human beings never get tired of hearing: the story of a man's struggles to return home after war to the people he loves has persisted and been told and retold in nearly every format and medium we have available to us as a species. So why, you may ask, should you pick this version up over others?
1. It's told in easy to read prose rather than a literal poetic translation: What that means for you the reader is that it's very approachable, especially for a younger audience. You don't need as many footnotes to get through it if you've never read epic poetry before since this is formatted like a modern fiction book.
2. It's illustrated in color: Adding to the appeal, particularly for owning a physical copy, there's quite a lot of beautifully done woodcut illustrations throughout the work. I already own at least four different versions of The Odyssey and I'll be adding this one to my collection when it's out in hardcover because of how much I like the artworks. The depictions of the gods and heroes were done so well with care and love.
There's lots of different versions of The Odyssey to pick from but if you're in the market for one that is both easy to read and beautiful to look at, this is a very solid pick.
The Odyssey is one of those timeless tales that human beings never get tired of hearing: the story of a man's struggles to return home after war to the people he loves has persisted and been told and retold in nearly every format and medium we have available to us as a species. So why, you may ask, should you pick this version up over others?
1. It's told in easy to read prose rather than a literal poetic translation: What that means for you the reader is that it's very approachable, especially for a younger audience. You don't need as many footnotes to get through it if you've never read epic poetry before since this is formatted like a modern fiction book.
2. It's illustrated in color: Adding to the appeal, particularly for owning a physical copy, there's quite a lot of beautifully done woodcut illustrations throughout the work. I already own at least four different versions of The Odyssey and I'll be adding this one to my collection when it's out in hardcover because of how much I like the artworks. The depictions of the gods and heroes were done so well with care and love.
There's lots of different versions of The Odyssey to pick from but if you're in the market for one that is both easy to read and beautiful to look at, this is a very solid pick.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Classic | Greek Mythology | Determination
Thank you to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
•Plot: Homer’s Odyssey. The story is about Odysseus' journey back to Ithaca to his family after the Battle of Troy. He runs into several conflicts on the way to his son, Telemachus & wife, Penelope. Telemachus also has to deal with conflicts awaiting his return, as well as the uncertainty that he's alive.
•What I liked: I appreciate the intro providing background information on Homer; it also gives a detailed overview of the story before diving in. The artwork is a nice carved-out stamp, ink-like style.
•Themes / Ideas: Disguise, trickery, magic, monsters, awful human men who wreak havoc while Odysseus was away.
•Who I’d recommend it to: To those who like Greek mythology, other gods and goddesses, like Athena, make appearances.
Overall/Thoughts: There are illustrations scattered sparingly throughout the book, but it’s mostly text. The illustrations' style looks like they were carved out, stamped, then painted. The style fits the story. The ending is worth the suffering of Odysseus' long journey back home.
Thank you to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
•Plot: Homer’s Odyssey. The story is about Odysseus' journey back to Ithaca to his family after the Battle of Troy. He runs into several conflicts on the way to his son, Telemachus & wife, Penelope. Telemachus also has to deal with conflicts awaiting his return, as well as the uncertainty that he's alive.
•What I liked: I appreciate the intro providing background information on Homer; it also gives a detailed overview of the story before diving in. The artwork is a nice carved-out stamp, ink-like style.
•Themes / Ideas: Disguise, trickery, magic, monsters, awful human men who wreak havoc while Odysseus was away.
•Who I’d recommend it to: To those who like Greek mythology, other gods and goddesses, like Athena, make appearances.
Overall/Thoughts: There are illustrations scattered sparingly throughout the book, but it’s mostly text. The illustrations' style looks like they were carved out, stamped, then painted. The style fits the story. The ending is worth the suffering of Odysseus' long journey back home.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book wasn't necessarily what I thought it was. It was a retelling of Homer's Odyssey, and I did appreciate how easy it was to read. It wasn't confusing and it was easy to follow. I did end up DNFing it at about 25%, as it was not as illustrated as I thought it was. Based on the cover and the description of the book, I thought it would have very detailed illustrations throughout most of the book, as it is called an illustrated retelling. There were only a couple illustrations per chapter, and they weren't as detailed as I was thinking they would be. Based on the cover, I though the illustrations would be very similar in detail, but they weren't, so my interest in the book, as I picked it up because it said it was illustrated, went down. This is why I eventually gave it up.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm struggling to decide who the intended audience for this prose version of The Odyssey is supposed to be. It's not really accessible enough for young readers, and I can see nothing designed to draw in adult readers. There's nothing wrong with the writing, but I just don't see anything to recommend it over any good translation.
I do have to give praise to Joanna Lisowiec's magnificent woodblock-style illustrations. I would happily buy a picture book version of The Odyssey if she illustrated it.
Received via NetGalley.
I do have to give praise to Joanna Lisowiec's magnificent woodblock-style illustrations. I would happily buy a picture book version of The Odyssey if she illustrated it.
Received via NetGalley.
March 14, 2026
The writing was great, and on point. Sometimes classics are written in a difficult way, but this retelling is so refreshing. The story is one that everyone knows and even now and then, more people should read more classics. The drawings are beautiful and the colors so vivid, with a pallette perfectly chosen. I would definitely read more books from this author. Thank you so much Netgalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for this ARC!
I would love for the book to have more drawings.
Book to be released on: June 16,2026.
I would love for the book to have more drawings.
Book to be released on: June 16,2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Beautifully illustrated and written so clearly. I had just finished reading Homer’s Odyssey translated by Fagles and thought I had a good grasp on the story but this explains much better. The artwork is detailed and the most important part of the chapter is visualized. Homer is difficult to interpret however this does a wonderful depiction. I received an early copy through NetGalley and wrote this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The classic Odyssey, originally written by Homer, is illustrated and brought to us this time by Barry B. Powell. There's not much to say other than I love this edition, the illustrations are gorgeous, and Powell is a well-educated and researched human.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC copy.
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
*I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review to come
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews