Book Review: Odysseus, Homer

The novel, ODYSSEUS is a Greek mythology of relations and interactions between gods and humans by Homer.

Odysseus, a brave king, master strategist, tactician, manipulator and an extraordinary liar, after the Trojan war was traveling back home to Ithaca. However, he faced a great challenge on his journey.

What actually brought about the anger of Poseidon on Odysseus was Odysseus' arrogance after the Trojan war where Odysseus would not acknowledge the support of Poseidon. The problem was escalated when Odysseus stick-poke the Cyclops who happened to be Poseidon's son.


Athena (goddess of guile and craftiness) decided to render her assistance to the lost Odysseus (and his son) with the help of her big-daddy god Zeus. Odysseus's travels are full of mysteries, challenges and obstacles which explores nearly all manner of Greek's daily life and also touches many of their traditions and beliefs. A story full of blend of fun and foods for thought.

Right from the island homes of the goddesses Circe and Calypso (who wants to "keep" him to herself due to her undying "love" for mortal, especially Odysseus), to his encounter with the giant Laestrygonians and the Lotus eaters. As the adventure continues, Odysseus found himself jaunted into the underworld where he speaks to Achilles and also listen to dead king Agamemnon go on an anti-marriage rant because his conniving wife poisoned to him to death. What a superb job from Homer for such a wonderful epic story and wonderful details about the life of the Greek people during that period.


Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, we've got a different scenario entirely - as over a hundred of suitors camped out at Odysseus' palace trying to get Penelope to give her  hand out in marriage since her husband (Odysseus) is "dead". This put Odysseus' son, Telemachus on the rage because suitors are eating, drinking and servant-boinking him out of his father's property (which supposedly is his inheritance) while they wait on Penelope. Telemachus could have kicked them out of his father's house but the "law of hospitality" in Greek is a huge one and the suitors use it to full advantage.

After years of toil and suffering, Odysseus finally made it back to Ithaca, alone in (after all his crew have been destroyed and sent to the underworld through the journey) in disguise. He patiently waited and planned on deceit and revenge against the suitors...

*****


This novel is an interesting adventure story of pain, endurance and also it was very fun, entertaining and interesting. I watched the movie before reading this novel and they are both awesome. I read the novel because the movie was very interesting.

The author presents the story in an heroic yet very dark style. The pace of the story is fast and moves quickly with hardly a chance to even catch your breath. Well, from my own view, the gods are fickle and they cause a lot of devastation, death and destruction simply to satisfy their ego and for fun to the mortals due to their “higher” power.

My rating: 5 star.