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The Odyssey: A Dramatic Retelling of Homer's Epic
In this new verse adaptation, originally commissioned for BBC radio, Simon Armitage has recast Homer's epic as a series of bristling dramatic dialogues: between gods and men; between no-nonsense Captain Odysseus and his unruly, lotus-eating, homesick companions; and between subtle Odysseus (wiliest hero of antiquity) and a range of shape-shifting adversaries—Calypso, Circe, the Sirens, the Cyclops—as he and his men are "pinballed between islands" of adversity. One of the most individual voices of his generation, Armitage revitalizes our sense of the Odyssey as oral poetry, as indeed one of the greatest of tall tales.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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537 people want to read
About the author
Simon Armitage
143 books368 followersSimon Armitage, whose The Shout was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, has published ten volumes of poetry and has received numerous honors for his work. He was appointed UK Poet Laureate in 2019
Armitage's poetry collections include Book of Matches (1993) and The Dead Sea Poems (1995). He has written two novels, Little Green Man (2001) and The White Stuff (2004), as well as All Points North (1998), a collection of essays on the north of England. He has produced a dramatised version of Homer's Odyssey and a collection of poetry entitled Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus The Corduroy Kid (which was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize), both of which were published in July 2006. Many of Armitage's poems appear in the AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) GCSE syllabus for English Literature in the United Kingdom. These include "Homecoming", "November", "Kid", "Hitcher", and a selection of poems from Book of Matches, most notably of these "Mother any distance...". His writing is characterised by a dry Yorkshire wit combined with "an accessible, realist style and critical seriousness."
Armitage's poetry collections include Book of Matches (1993) and The Dead Sea Poems (1995). He has written two novels, Little Green Man (2001) and The White Stuff (2004), as well as All Points North (1998), a collection of essays on the north of England. He has produced a dramatised version of Homer's Odyssey and a collection of poetry entitled Tyrannosaurus Rex Versus The Corduroy Kid (which was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize), both of which were published in July 2006. Many of Armitage's poems appear in the AQA (Assessment and Qualifications Alliance) GCSE syllabus for English Literature in the United Kingdom. These include "Homecoming", "November", "Kid", "Hitcher", and a selection of poems from Book of Matches, most notably of these "Mother any distance...". His writing is characterised by a dry Yorkshire wit combined with "an accessible, realist style and critical seriousness."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 24, 2014
It's funny to think I didn't enjoy Armitage's work the first time I came across it. I think it was his translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight that changed that. He brought something fresh and dynamic to the poem, which made it a very different reading experience to other translations and adaptations. He's done the same here with The Odyssey. This is not a translation, or even a completely faithful adaptation: I can think of several places where it departs from the original poem.
However, he brings that same dynamism to Homer's voice as he did to the Gawain-poet's. Some of the turns of phrase still ring perfectly true, mixed in with the modern vernacular he uses as well. I'm sure it drives purists crazy, but I set aside any professional qualms and just read it for enjoyment, and thought that he rendered some scenes beautifully -- more true to the spirit of the original than any stuffy translation, too, I think.
If you want to read The Odyssey without reading the phrase 'rosy-fingered dawn', and you don't want to worry about Greek customs (xenia, for example), this makes it very easy to follow the story and understand the basic motivations of all the characters. It has a robust beauty to it that wouldn't work in translating, say, Vergil, but I think in translating Homer it works very well.
However, he brings that same dynamism to Homer's voice as he did to the Gawain-poet's. Some of the turns of phrase still ring perfectly true, mixed in with the modern vernacular he uses as well. I'm sure it drives purists crazy, but I set aside any professional qualms and just read it for enjoyment, and thought that he rendered some scenes beautifully -- more true to the spirit of the original than any stuffy translation, too, I think.
If you want to read The Odyssey without reading the phrase 'rosy-fingered dawn', and you don't want to worry about Greek customs (xenia, for example), this makes it very easy to follow the story and understand the basic motivations of all the characters. It has a robust beauty to it that wouldn't work in translating, say, Vergil, but I think in translating Homer it works very well.
May 18, 2010
The Odyssey was probably my favorite book as child, with all of its fantastic adventures, memorable monsters and beautiful women. And Odysseus - wily, tough, but so very human Odysseus - was always my favorite hero. While I have returned to this story many times, rereading various translations, watching the movie adaptions and listening to Cream sing of the Tales of Brave Ulysses a thousand times, this recent adaptation has breathed fresh life into the story.
Armitage is a poet by trade, as you can tell by his lyrical script for a theatrical version of the story, which was actually performed on the BBC in 2004. As was the case with his excellent translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, he is a beautiful writer who treads carefully between modernity and anachronism. More importantly, he still manages to stay true to the themes of the ancient Greeks. His Gods are mighty, terrible and meddling, but refreshingly non-omnipotent. His humans are deeply flawed, or harshly punished if they are not, but so much more interesting and ultimately important than the Gods can ever hope to be. The chapter in which Odysseus travels to the land of the dead and communes with fallen brothers-in-arms and family members is particularly illustrative of this exultation and fascination with man himself: Odysseus’ sense of loss, and the tragic desolation of the dead, which the Gods can never experience, was absolutely devastating and an amazing piece of writing.
My only word of caution is that I believe that this book is best enjoyed by those who already know the story and, maybe, have already read one of the previous translations. However, even if you haven’t, it is simply too good a story to pass up. I loved this book and highly recommend it to all.
Armitage is a poet by trade, as you can tell by his lyrical script for a theatrical version of the story, which was actually performed on the BBC in 2004. As was the case with his excellent translation of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, he is a beautiful writer who treads carefully between modernity and anachronism. More importantly, he still manages to stay true to the themes of the ancient Greeks. His Gods are mighty, terrible and meddling, but refreshingly non-omnipotent. His humans are deeply flawed, or harshly punished if they are not, but so much more interesting and ultimately important than the Gods can ever hope to be. The chapter in which Odysseus travels to the land of the dead and communes with fallen brothers-in-arms and family members is particularly illustrative of this exultation and fascination with man himself: Odysseus’ sense of loss, and the tragic desolation of the dead, which the Gods can never experience, was absolutely devastating and an amazing piece of writing.
My only word of caution is that I believe that this book is best enjoyed by those who already know the story and, maybe, have already read one of the previous translations. However, even if you haven’t, it is simply too good a story to pass up. I loved this book and highly recommend it to all.
September 15, 2018
This is a brilliant and funny retelling of the Odyssey. It is enjoyable to read and characters come to life through the simple language.
September 20, 2020
This is a fresh, lively re-telling of "The Odyssey", infused with Armitage's signature wry humour and rich imagery. Odysseus and Penelope's relationship is beautifully handled, with a grace and tenderness that I find particularly moving. "You are my Ithaca," he tells her in one of the final scenes, and, at once, this well-known tale of grand quests and epic heroes is transformed into something so intimate, personal, and human that even Zeus and Athena are momentarily startled out of their cold divinity.
Though structured as a play, this re-telling is pure poetry. I'm particularly impressed by the ease with which Armitage shifts between the sailors' and suitors' bawdy banter, and lines of arresting beauty such as the following image of death: "The heat of life cools to a powdery ash/The bird of the soul flies from its branch."
Thus, this version of The Odyssey is perfect both for those seeking a lighter, less intimidating introduction to the original, and for lovers of Homer's text who would enjoy seeing these characters and their stories again, through a fresh, contemporary lens.
Though structured as a play, this re-telling is pure poetry. I'm particularly impressed by the ease with which Armitage shifts between the sailors' and suitors' bawdy banter, and lines of arresting beauty such as the following image of death: "The heat of life cools to a powdery ash/The bird of the soul flies from its branch."
Thus, this version of The Odyssey is perfect both for those seeking a lighter, less intimidating introduction to the original, and for lovers of Homer's text who would enjoy seeing these characters and their stories again, through a fresh, contemporary lens.
December 12, 2025
This will be more of a review of this particular dramatisation, rather than a discussion of Homer's Odyssey (which I would reserve for whenever I read a more traditionalist/literal translation).
Armitage's version is perfect for anyone who wants to delve into the epic but felt rather overwhelmed when attempting to read it in poetry form. The story has essentially been filtered into direct character dialogue and it very much feels like reading a play or a script, though the obvious downside is that there is a sense of an oversimplification of the drama.
If you're already a fan of the epic poem, you don't really need to read this. But if you're a beginner like myself, then it's a great starting point.
Favourite quote? "Tears are human. They make me a man."
Favourite moment? Errr there are so many good ones... all the adventures? Let's say the Cyclops one for now because it set the tone.
Armitage's version is perfect for anyone who wants to delve into the epic but felt rather overwhelmed when attempting to read it in poetry form. The story has essentially been filtered into direct character dialogue and it very much feels like reading a play or a script, though the obvious downside is that there is a sense of an oversimplification of the drama.
If you're already a fan of the epic poem, you don't really need to read this. But if you're a beginner like myself, then it's a great starting point.
Favourite quote? "Tears are human. They make me a man."
Favourite moment? Errr there are so many good ones... all the adventures? Let's say the Cyclops one for now because it set the tone.
January 27, 2025
★ What a gorgeous story ★
Everything was written gorgeously and easy to understand while keeping the vibes of the Odyssey. I loved it.
Everything was written gorgeously and easy to understand while keeping the vibes of the Odyssey. I loved it.
April 18, 2025
Three hours of the dumbest decisions I’ve ever witnessed in my life five stars
March 30, 2022
One of the best classical adaptations/translations I've ever read
March 24, 2025
Another cracking Armitage update. Not as good as his take on Sir Gawain, but funny and clever nonetheless.
February 20, 2024
i honestly think its a good book compared to the other ones that i've read at school, it may also be the fact that we read it out loud in class but idk it wasnt terrible
October 16, 2018
I actually really liked this book even though it isn't something I would normally go for. It conveys the same messages as the original Odyssey but, is more interesting and modern. Definitely would recommend.
February 13, 2013
So, I had to read this for class. But instead of doing what I did in high school and being all like, "The teacher assigned this book, it must be sooo boring," and not giving it a chance, I tried to pretend that I was reading it because I wanted to. I'm so glad I did that.
I have to say, this is now one of my favorite books. It's a very easy read, Simon Armitage did a great job with that. I had to read parts of the older, denser version of The Odyssey years ago and it was like pulling teeth and I didn't even remember what I'd read. But this one is great. It's also got some pretty funny parts here and there. I found myself reading some of the lines sarcastically and that made it even better. The plot moves fairly quickly too which kept me interested. In my opinion, up until the very end it teaches some pretty good morals if you think about it. I will let you figure those out and decide for youself. There are beautiful metaphors throughout this books as well. I usually tend to prefer books loaded with details, but the vast marjority of this one is dialogue/monologue and there are very few descriptions. However, this actually didn't bother me at all. It pretty much forces the reader to imagine things for themselves, and you can't get caught up in/distracted by the details (which can sometimes make reading pretty tedious for me).
To be perfectly honest, the only reason I didn't give this a five star rating is because I have been much more caught up in other books than this one. I did have a hard time putting this one down when I was reading it, and several times I chose to read it instead of another book that I'm reading (not for school), but I know I could have been even into it than that. I may even change my ratins later on. We'll see... I'm sure I'll read this again too. It's definitely worth the time!
I have to say, this is now one of my favorite books. It's a very easy read, Simon Armitage did a great job with that. I had to read parts of the older, denser version of The Odyssey years ago and it was like pulling teeth and I didn't even remember what I'd read. But this one is great. It's also got some pretty funny parts here and there. I found myself reading some of the lines sarcastically and that made it even better. The plot moves fairly quickly too which kept me interested. In my opinion, up until the very end it teaches some pretty good morals if you think about it. I will let you figure those out and decide for youself. There are beautiful metaphors throughout this books as well. I usually tend to prefer books loaded with details, but the vast marjority of this one is dialogue/monologue and there are very few descriptions. However, this actually didn't bother me at all. It pretty much forces the reader to imagine things for themselves, and you can't get caught up in/distracted by the details (which can sometimes make reading pretty tedious for me).
To be perfectly honest, the only reason I didn't give this a five star rating is because I have been much more caught up in other books than this one. I did have a hard time putting this one down when I was reading it, and several times I chose to read it instead of another book that I'm reading (not for school), but I know I could have been even into it than that. I may even change my ratins later on. We'll see... I'm sure I'll read this again too. It's definitely worth the time!
September 23, 2018
What it's about: This is the tale of Odysseus, a hero of the Trojan War, as he and his crew attempt to return to their home of Ithaca. It takes 20 years, and not because they couldn't read the map. While Odysseus is trying to make his way home, his wife, Penelope, is besieged by suitors who want her hand in marriage (and her lands and riches), since her husband must be dead. And their son, Telemachus, is in danger of being killed by Penelope's suitors. Will the Greek gods upon Olympus help Odysseus and his family, or take their revenge against the humans who have at times thwarted them?
What I thought: This is an interesting adaptation of the original version of Homer's The Odyssey. Armitage was commissioned to create a radio play version of Homer's work, and he's done some interpreting and condensing along the way. Because this is essentially a script meant to be heard, rather than read, it sort of captures the spirit of the original, which was meant to be memorized and recited for audiences. But Armitage has removed the narrator and made almost the entire piece dialogue. He's pulled some clever tricks to make this work throughout the story, particularly in the way he's twisted up the timeline and created framing devices that allow him to tell the story partially in the present and partially in flashback.
Why I rated it like I did: Armitage has done some clever work with his adaptation. He's made a very accessible version of what can be a daunting classic. I remember hating having to read passages of The Odyssey when I was in high school; I'm hoping this version is more palatable to my students.
What I thought: This is an interesting adaptation of the original version of Homer's The Odyssey. Armitage was commissioned to create a radio play version of Homer's work, and he's done some interpreting and condensing along the way. Because this is essentially a script meant to be heard, rather than read, it sort of captures the spirit of the original, which was meant to be memorized and recited for audiences. But Armitage has removed the narrator and made almost the entire piece dialogue. He's pulled some clever tricks to make this work throughout the story, particularly in the way he's twisted up the timeline and created framing devices that allow him to tell the story partially in the present and partially in flashback.
Why I rated it like I did: Armitage has done some clever work with his adaptation. He's made a very accessible version of what can be a daunting classic. I remember hating having to read passages of The Odyssey when I was in high school; I'm hoping this version is more palatable to my students.
March 16, 2011
This excellent adaptation of Homer's epic tale is incredibly readable; once I started I basically couldn't stop!
Armitage adapts the epic poem with incredible skill, to make a highly enjoyable play. I usually don't enjoy reading scripts, as I find it hard to engage, but for anyone familiar with the ancient text, it is refreshing to read this new adaptation.
Of course, when adapting such a lengthy text, it is impossible to include everything, but I would have liked to see some scenes from books and 4, and Telemachus' encounters with Menelaus and Nestor included in the text. To me, Telemachus' maturation into a man, enabling him to be ready for the return of his father, is an important theme of the Odyssey, and could have been developed more in Armitage's play.
Saying this, I particularly enjoyed Act II of the play, with Odysseus' retelling of his trials over the previous 10 years. I felt Armitage's use of both direct dialogue taking place 'in the past', and returns to the scene in the palace of the Phaeacians, was highly effective.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on Homer's ancient text, although for those unfamiliar, I would always recommend reading a more traditional translation of the poem first, in particular Lattimore's.
Armitage adapts the epic poem with incredible skill, to make a highly enjoyable play. I usually don't enjoy reading scripts, as I find it hard to engage, but for anyone familiar with the ancient text, it is refreshing to read this new adaptation.
Of course, when adapting such a lengthy text, it is impossible to include everything, but I would have liked to see some scenes from books and 4, and Telemachus' encounters with Menelaus and Nestor included in the text. To me, Telemachus' maturation into a man, enabling him to be ready for the return of his father, is an important theme of the Odyssey, and could have been developed more in Armitage's play.
Saying this, I particularly enjoyed Act II of the play, with Odysseus' retelling of his trials over the previous 10 years. I felt Armitage's use of both direct dialogue taking place 'in the past', and returns to the scene in the palace of the Phaeacians, was highly effective.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on Homer's ancient text, although for those unfamiliar, I would always recommend reading a more traditional translation of the poem first, in particular Lattimore's.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2015
This is a cracking version of Homer's Odyssey, replacing densely translated, turgid prose with punchy poetic dialogue in a way that only Simon Armitage can.
Fast paced and exciting this reminded me of all the reasons I loved the Odyssey in the first place. Having the whole thing in dialogue gives it a real sense of immediacy and the ease of language makes it very accessible and a great way to introduce new readers to the wonder of Homer.
If I'm to be critical - sometimes its a little too fast. Scene changes are abrupt and some scenes are glossed over - The Lotus Eaters and cannibals get a mere blink whilst other episodes get far more detail. Also gone is the repetition and wonderful Homeric epithets such as the wine dark sea and gleaming eyed goddess - this takes away some of the magic somehow and makes it more down to earth.
Saying that Armitage has done a stunning job with this and it stands up proudly to things like Heaney's Beowulf, Hughes' Tales from Ovid and of course Armitage's other works, particularly Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Last Days of Troy.
Recommended.
Fast paced and exciting this reminded me of all the reasons I loved the Odyssey in the first place. Having the whole thing in dialogue gives it a real sense of immediacy and the ease of language makes it very accessible and a great way to introduce new readers to the wonder of Homer.
If I'm to be critical - sometimes its a little too fast. Scene changes are abrupt and some scenes are glossed over - The Lotus Eaters and cannibals get a mere blink whilst other episodes get far more detail. Also gone is the repetition and wonderful Homeric epithets such as the wine dark sea and gleaming eyed goddess - this takes away some of the magic somehow and makes it more down to earth.
Saying that Armitage has done a stunning job with this and it stands up proudly to things like Heaney's Beowulf, Hughes' Tales from Ovid and of course Armitage's other works, particularly Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Last Days of Troy.
Recommended.
May 17, 2016
A solid retelling of the ODYSSEY, though Armitage's lacks the linguistic brilliance and scope of Derek Walcott's stage version. This version is obviously more intended to be read aloud or done on the radio (as it was) than be staged, and it moves with a cinematic quality that allows for narrative progression that keeps Odysseus at the center, though somewhat at the loss of Telemachus as a hero in his own right. That said, a number of the lesser characters feel much more developed in this version, especially Amphinomus, Arete, Polites, Eurylochus, and Circe, giving those readers familiar with the Odyssey some refreshing perspectives to think about. Another interesting twist is treating Athena as a kind of secondary lead, and she and Zeus are given their own arc, with an unusually human view of their father/daughter relationship. The end of the story is particularly poignant, as most versions of the Odyssey tend to be, with Zeus having the final words, Athena the final actions.
February 27, 2010
An interesting retelling of the Odyssey done in a script format, transcribed from a radio performance. It took me a bit to figure out why things were out of order in the story's plot, and I thought it was strange to start from the middle of the story and do the first half in a sort of flashback storytelling. I did, however, enjoy most of the characterizations that you don't normally enjoy in a traditional telling of this story. You are able to see more of the suitors and, while they are still hardly endearing men, you begin to see them as individual entities rather than just all the same. The scenes with the gods on Olympus felt...strange. They seemed strangely placed and I often found myself wishing they didn't exist; I'd have rather seen only their interactions with the mortals with a story focused more on the intelligence and machinations of the humans.
March 22, 2014
I really enjoyed the Odyssey when I read it in college and I loved this adaptation. Armitage did a brilliant job of adapting the story, condensing the action, and updating the language while staining the emotion and beauty of the epic poem. FYI this adaptation was done to make a radio dramatization of the story.
I was afraid it would be too dumbed down - too simple - when the original was so complex, detailed, and beautiful. Thankfully that was not the case. Obviously it is simplified just by converting it to today's English, but BBC was totally right in bringing on board a poet to do the adaptation and not just your normal author. Armitage has a way with pacing and words that does justice to the story, makes it easy for the reader, and still so beautiful.
Highly recommended!
I was afraid it would be too dumbed down - too simple - when the original was so complex, detailed, and beautiful. Thankfully that was not the case. Obviously it is simplified just by converting it to today's English, but BBC was totally right in bringing on board a poet to do the adaptation and not just your normal author. Armitage has a way with pacing and words that does justice to the story, makes it easy for the reader, and still so beautiful.
Highly recommended!
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May 24, 2016Simon Armitage’s interpretation of Homer’s Odyssey brings this classic in reach of those unschooled in Greek literature. It is written with wit and style and introduces us to the ancient Gods and the many foes that Odysseus has to do battle on his return from Troy. Meet Calypso, Circe and Cyclops and be entranced by the Sirens. The epic story is packed with wisdom and sage-like advice on the human condition that is as applicable today as it was when written millennia ago. Armitage should be congratulated for making this wonderful tale of heroism and ever-lasting love so accessible to any reader.
May 17, 2008
I loved Armitage's version of Gawain, so I'm giving this a try. I still need to read the original (or a translation of the original, since I can't understand Ancient Greek). Otherwise it feels like I know only Weird Al versions, know what I mean?
Added:
This was somehow less satisfying than Gawain, perhaps because I'm that further detached from the original tale (in Gawain the original text followed you from page to page). I love how effectively his poetry works from the standpoint of a radio play, but I'm not necessarily sure that his work moved me much.
Added:
This was somehow less satisfying than Gawain, perhaps because I'm that further detached from the original tale (in Gawain the original text followed you from page to page). I love how effectively his poetry works from the standpoint of a radio play, but I'm not necessarily sure that his work moved me much.
February 2, 2015
This radio play, which was created in 2004 at the time of the Athens Olympics, is a masterful retelling of The Odyssey. The play fully uses the evocative power of the radio medium. The story gains weight when it is, it itself, a narrative, meaning that the second episode, where Odysseus entertains the court with the story of his travels, is made more powerful through being told to us, the listener, rather than told.
I have only recently begun listening to audioplays such as this one, but I will make sure to try more of them.
I have only recently begun listening to audioplays such as this one, but I will make sure to try more of them.
September 23, 2018
Wowwweeee!!! Read this, it’s a fantastic story to get lost in.
This was such a joy to read, it was spellbinding and I just got submerged in the telling of the tale!
First reason This gets 5 stars - Simon Armitages ability to transform & recount this story so spot on the modern day money for choice of words, writing style, depth of description, imagery, and pace of the story.
The other reason this bad buoy of a play gets 5 stars - it’s my first encounter with Greek Mythology ... and it’s now something I just want to read more and more of!
Thank you Simon Armitage - simply brilliant!
This was such a joy to read, it was spellbinding and I just got submerged in the telling of the tale!
First reason This gets 5 stars - Simon Armitages ability to transform & recount this story so spot on the modern day money for choice of words, writing style, depth of description, imagery, and pace of the story.
The other reason this bad buoy of a play gets 5 stars - it’s my first encounter with Greek Mythology ... and it’s now something I just want to read more and more of!
Thank you Simon Armitage - simply brilliant!
August 6, 2008
Not only was it fun to reread the story of The Odyssey, as I haven't read it in over ten years, but is was a hell of a lot of fun reading Simon Armitage's translation. It's written entirely in dialogue (with stage directions) and all in verse. I found myself reading passages out loud to myself, acting the part of Odysseus or Zeus or whoever. It's a nice light, and very entertaining read. Looking forward to reading it again down the road...
May 3, 2010
I wish I had written this back when I finished the book about a month ago. I was very pleasantly surprised by this book--not because of lack of faith in Simon Armitage but because to me The Odyssey is like gold. Armitage's dramatic rendition is really well done. There is a terse modern edge to the dialogue that at the same time does not feel at all unsettlingly temporally distant from the original. The dialogue is alive, poetic, and engaging throughout.
August 6, 2014
When we think of the story of Odysseus, we gravitate toward the fun episodes: Scylla and Charybdis, Circe, the sirens. But having actually read it this year, I was surprised by how much of the actual story isn't any of those things. Armitage's dialogue adaptation does an excellent job conveying all of that other stuff, which in the translation I read is stuffy and boring. An excellent version of the story, though perhaps one you ought to only approach after reading the original.
5/5
5/5
August 24, 2012
This is a masterpiece. To reduce 12000 lines of Homer to such an enjoyable read deserves all the plaudits Armitage has received since it was published 2004. The niggling gods, the Monty Python crew and the plotting suitors, mixed with passages of poetic lyricism and a 2500 year old storyline make this a masterpiece. What a shame this was not around when I was at School and I had to read it in Greek!
March 13, 2015
This book turned out really good. At first I was dreading this unit in school, but this version of the book made it so much better. Even though I don't think I would have originally picked it up on my own, once I got into it I would read it in my free time. Next year, I could potentially read the real version for school, and I think this version is a good pathway into the denser one so that you can understand better what is going on. I really recommend this book.
April 2, 2015
I was stunned at how beautiful this translation is. I did not enjoy reading The Odyssey in high school and didn't think I'd read it again. I loved Armitage's translation - it was immediate and emotional. I'm reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight now.
August 30, 2008
This story has been told and retold so many times that it seemed unlikely I'd find a new version worth reading. Simon Armitage's version, a radio play adapted for the BBC, however, is surprisingly fresh and fun. His deft pacing and sense of humor give this a modern feel without being annoyingly unfaithful to the original Homer.
October 29, 2010
Retelling The Odyssey certainly won't get anyone points for originality, but Simon Armitage's dramatic retelling is perfect for anyone wanting to familiarize herself with Homer's epic without taking a sabbatical to read the original. The dialogue and characterizations are pitch-perfect and spot-on, like a very fun, lively school play.
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