The Incredible Voyage of Ulysses

by Bimba Landmann

After defeating the Trojans in an intense, ten-year war, the Greeks' courageous leader, Ulysses, king of Ithaca, begins the voyage home with his soldiers. There his faithful wife, Penelope, and his young son, Telemachus, await him. Ulysses never imagines that the journey home will be another ten-year quest in which he must confront all kinds of terrifying obstacles, including giant cannibals, one-eyed monsters, an enchantress who turns his men into pigs, and the tempting song of sea nymphs who try to lure him and his men to their death. But Ulysses is a daring and clever man, willing to take on all that life and the gods put in his path in order to reach his home.
This retelling of the Greek poet Homer's epic tale is accompanied by beautiful and bold illustrations reminiscent of ancient Greek art. The graphic-novel-like style of the book, in which text and illustrations are tightly interwoven, creates a compelling world filled with drama and mystery certain to draw in young readers. Ages nine to twelve.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art, Classics

60 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2008

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a shortened retelling of the Odyssey, in Spanish (translated from the Italian by Caterina Camastra), amazingly illustrated by Bimba Landmann, whom I love, even though in this book she sometimes uses overwhelming amounts of pink.



As it is, I suppose, meant for children, the sex bits are mostly elided, but overall it isn't rewritten in a condescending or watered-down way. It does not attempt to replicate closely the language of Homer, but does possess a poetry of its own.

Durante días y días, los barcos recorren
el mar gris. Finalmente, una mañana,
en el horizonte se perfila una tierra
que parece un escudo de bronce.

No es Ítaca, pero sus playas
son suaves: invitan a descansar
el cuerpo, tras tanto
remar y remar.

There are lovely front and end-pieces, also illustrated, explaining the Greek pantheon and the contemporary understanding of world geography.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe my kids loved this book. My five-year-old was enchanted through the whole thing, and my three-year-old hung in there all the way to the land of the Phaecians.

The illustrations are beautiful, and bring to life the really amazing story from The Odyssey I never really understood in high school. With an intro like this, my kids stand a better chance of not hating the story later on. I'm tempted to classify this as a graphic novel. Again, my five-year-old paid rapt attention through all 60-odd pages. Whoa.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

For adults and children. The story of Ulysses with great illustrations. I wish I had had this when I was a kid.
Maybe now I'll read the actual Odyssey!

[Dany (Oasis Literario) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia clásica, mitológica, convertida en algo sencillo, facil de entender agil para leer, me encantaron las ilustraciones! muy bonito realmente

[Ita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very condensed version of the Odyssey, so a good refresher.

[Mary Thelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Nada vale más que la vida, Ulises."

[Dallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little difficult to read but the art is wonderful!!!!

4/5

[Andrés · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una bonita adaptación de la Odisea para niños. Sencilla, pero con bonito arte.

[Ana Monteiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belíssimas ilustrações, e uma forma simples e encantadora de conhecer ou revisitar um grande clássico.

[Conejo Literario · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una versión corta de la Odisea que toma los mejores episodios y los narra de forma mas amena. El libro me gusto pero dista de ser para niños. Es más una especie de artbook para adultos que quieren leer el clásico griego sin quebrarse tanto la cabeza. Eso si, espero te guste el rojo por que el 80% del libro está compuesto de ese color.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an AMAZING children's book that you must check out from the library!! I read it to my 8 & 6 year old boys--it took us 3 or 4 days to finish. It's the Italian/Roman Mythology version of The Odyssey. Great illustrations and a very concise, fun retelling of the classic tale. My kids loved it.

[Dustin Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and composition in this graphic novel. I did find the blocks of text a bit awkward and wish they had been more interwoven with the pictures... Could have had more fun with them...

[Correen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a beautifully illustrated rendition of the famous Odyssey. While the book covers the episodes of the journey, the author carefully points out the significance of the story as a parable. The young reader can read the book and, with discussion, have a good sense of the lessons it tells.

[Ismael Serna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una edición magnifica, ilustración cinco estrellas, y con una historia sintética que mantiene la esencia del texto original. Sin dudas un texto breve para iniciar a los jóvenes a la literatura épica.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully illustrated book that was true to the epic tale. Told in just 58 pages, I was in heaven for I wasn't bored. Plus, the illustrations made it look and read like a graphic novel.

[Darilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous illustrations.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations and engaging version. Read to 8 and 6 year olds and they both enjoyed it.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful synopsis of the story. Avant garde illustrations are refreshing. Overall, excellent book for all ages, not just juvenile.

[Pat Jennings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art fascinating. Story ancient but metaphorically timeless.

[Jeff Lewonczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely paintings to illustrate a classic tale.