Title: The Wanderings of Odysseus
Author: Rosemary Sutcliff
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Date: 2002
Number of pages: 144 Pages
Reading level: Young Adult
Genre: Children's Mythology
Summary: The Wanderings of Odysseus is an epic story of survival written by Rosemary Sutcliff. The illustrations were drawn by the stunning Alan Lee. This story is The Odyssey written in easier form for children.
Odysseus is the lord of Ithaca and he fought in the war against Troy. After the victory in the ten year war, Odysseus and his men set out to find their home again. But when they set sail they get into loads of trouble. When they arrive at an island inhabited by giants they lose almost all of their men and ships. Odysseus and what is left of his crew, fought lots of storms and finally one last one storm hits and everyone except Odysseus sank into the water. He was washed up on the shore of an isle and its only Citizen was a nymph. The nymph's name was Calypso. Odysseus stayed there for seven years before he left. He sailed to another island and once he arrived he was made welcome. He stayed there for a few days. Then he finished his journey He was gone nineteen years. Then he discovers a big problem.
In this book the main characters are Penelope, Telemachus, and the primary character is Odysseus. Penelope is Odysseus's wife and Telemachus was his son who was only a baby when his father left to go to Troy.
Odysseus is the lord of Ithaca and he fought in the war against Troy. After the victory in the ten year war, Odysseus and his men set out to find their home again. But when they set sail they get into loads of trouble. When they arrive at an island inhabited by giants they lose almost all of their men and ships. Odysseus and what is left of his crew, fought lots of storms and finally one last one storm hits and everyone except Odysseus sank into the water. He was washed up on the shore of an isle and its only Citizen was a nymph. The nymph's name was Calypso. Odysseus stayed there for seven years before he left. He sailed to another island and once he arrived he was made welcome. He stayed there for a few days. Then he finished his journey He was gone nineteen years. Then he discovers a big problem.
In this book the main characters are Penelope, Telemachus, and the primary character is Odysseus. Penelope is Odysseus's wife and Telemachus was his son who was only a baby when his father left to go to Troy.
My reaction: This version of The Odyssey is beautifully illustrated, but even if you do not show them the pictures, children will sit spellbound by the poetic language used by Rosemary Sutcliffe. The many adventures of Odysseus on his way home from the Trojan War was thrilling. This is not a "dumbed-down" version of the Odyssey-- it is appropriate for adults as well as children. The poetic style of Homer's original is continued by Sutcliffe
Potential problems: Mild Adult themes. For those of a very conservative nature I would point out that there are one or two pictures portraying partial upper body nudity. As this is an ancient tale, expect various acts of violence.
My recommendation: Having read the adult version, I was impressed by this childrens' copy because it stays true to the grain of the story. There is nothing Disney-fied about it. I highly recommend this book to any parent who is trying to introduce classic works to their children, as well as any parent seeking good quality literature. The illustrations are top-rate and further serve to involve the junior reader
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