Customer Reviews
Worth the effort - By: Mr. RW Abbotson, 08 Mar 2007 
Shrewing's translation gives readers an accessible version of the Odyssey, yet, importantly, one that is not dumbed down. This classic Homeric epic operates,in my opinion, on more subtle levels than its arguably more 'exciting' counterpart, 'The Iliad'. Therefore, if you are prepared to make the effort & spend some time getting through the more taxing phases of the narrative, this book has a lot to offer. Odysseus is a multi layered character that avoids cliche at various stages, leading to unpredictable actions & emotional shifts.
What's more, The Odyssey still provides the charm, imagination & large scale action that we would expect from Greek myth. Well worth the effort!
A Classic Adventure - By: GeeJayBee, 16 Apr 2006 I read this after reading the Oxford World's Classic version of the Illiad. While the Illiad has the more charismatic characters & the energy & excitement of epic battles, quarrelling gods & heroes like Achilles, Ajax & Hector, the Odyssey is I think the better read. The prose style of this version is especially effective & this is a ancient boys own adventure. Its probably not something you'll readin a day or so, but its worth the effort.
Go Odysseus! Get those dastardly suitors! - By: B. Davison, 29 Apr 2005 Let's be clear: If you're anything like me, you won't zoom through this bookin one night. It's an old story, and, although the translation isn't exactly as hard to understand as Shakespeare is for anyone under 50, it's not going to let you ram through The Odysseyin the blink of an eye. It takes a bit of effort to read & you're always taking a bit of a risk when you try to look all intellectual & read a classic, but it's well worth itin the end.
Grim myth, excellent translation - By: Depressaholic, 20 Mar 2005 I haven't read any other translations of 'The Odyssey', so don't have any grounds for comparison but,in terms of style alone, can heartily recommend Walter Shewring's effort. The language is clear & avoids the trap of being too archaic just because it is an old story (3000 years old, give or take). I read the odd classic & tend to take a deep breath before I start, preparing for the occasional hard slog. 'The Odyssey' was a surprisingly easy & enjoyable read.
The story itself is fairly familiar. Odysseus is delayed on his return home from Troy by the anger of the Gods. He faces many trials, such as the Sirens & the Cyclops before his is reunited with his son (Telemachus) and, ultimately, his wife. Before he can resume his old life, however, he must dispatch the suitors who have gathered to wed his wife, believing that he is dead. All the while he is being helped & hindered by the Gods. Before reading this, I hadn't realised that Odysseus' adventures are told as a flashback after his return to Ithica, & that they take up only about half of the book. The second half concerns the slaughter of the suitors & is slower moving, but still immensely enjoyable. The bloodthirstyness, & body count, rivals an average Schwarzenegger movie, as Odysseus fornicates & hacks his way round the Agean Sea. Not one for the children.
If you, like me, wanted to read 'The Odyssey' because of its status, but weren't really looking forward to it, then go for this translation. It captures the tone brilliantly, but is never over-stuffy or grandiose. I enjoyed it a lot and, like the blurb on the back, don't see how it could be better.
War and Penelope. - By: Jan Dierckx, 04 Oct 2004 
I hope that those who read my review will forgive me because I would like to talk mainly about Penelope, the wife of Odysseus. When I read the Odyssey for the first time, I thought it was a wonderful adventure book with beautiful & dangerous women & I laughed with that half-wit of a Polyphemus, one of the cyclops. But near the end something was missing, it was not what it should be. Odysseus came home. His son Telemachus & his swineherd were glad & his dog could finally die with the comforting knowledge that it's master was among the living. Why didn't Penelope make a joyful sound ? Why was she so silent ? I shrugged my shoulders & said:'women!'. It's only years later I began to understand a little. So many people diedin the Trojan war. The many adorers of Penelope were slaughtered by Odysseus with no compassion at all. The silence of Penelope was a reproachful silence. She was wondering how many more dead people it would take before men could livein peace. We still ask that question
