The Odyssey: The Timeless Story of Homecoming, Retold for the Modern Reader

For twenty years he fought a war and wandered the sea. But his greatest battle was waiting for him at home.From the chaos of the fallen city of Troy, the great hero Odysseus begins the long journey back to his kingdom of Ithaca. All he desires is to see his home and be reunited with his loyal wife, Penelope, and the son he barely knows. But the gods are cruel, and a bitter curse from the sea god Poseidon turns his voyage into a ten-year odyssey of suffering, loss, and unimaginable trials.Hunted by monsters and seduced by goddesses, Odysseus must use every ounce of his famous cunning to survive. He will face the lawless, man-eating Cyclops, escape the bewitching sorcery of the goddess Circe, navigate the deadly strait between the six-headed monster Scylla and the world-swallowing whirlpool Charybdis, and even journey to the Land of the Dead to seek counsel from the ghosts of the past.Meanwhile, back in Ithaca, his house is under siege. A mob of arrogant suitors, believing him dead, have infested his palace, devouring his wealth and pressuring his queen to choose a new husband. His son, Telemachus, must embark on his own dangerous journey to find news of his father, growing from a boy into a man as he searches for a way to restore honor to his ravaged home.A New Translation for the Modern ReaderFor centuries, the epic poetry of The Odyssey has been a barrier for many readers. The Lyceum Press edition finally breaks that barrier, presenting Homer's timeless narrative in clear, engaging, and accessible prose. This is not a summary or a simplification, but a complete and faithful retelling that captures the emotional core of the original work—the grief, the hope, the cunning, and the fury—in a way that feels immediate and powerful.This edition is designed to be the perfect introduction to one of the greatest adventure stories ever told. It includes:A full, narrative prose translation that reads with the pace of a modern novel.A compelling Foreword that explains the story's key themes.A Prelude that bridges the gap from The Iliad to The Odyssey.A beautiful, hand-drawn map of Odysseus’s epic wanderings.A complete list of characters and a glossary of key terms.More than just a story of monsters and magic, The Odyssey is a profound meditation on the meaning of home, the pain of loss, and the unbreakable bonds of family. It is a story of a hero who loses everything—his ships, his men, his name—but never loses his will to return. This edition invites you to experience his journey as never before. Read more