The epic tale of Odysseus’s journey home – one of the earliest and greatest works of Western literature If the Iliad is the world's greatest war epic, the Odyssey is literature's grandest evocation of an everyman's journey through life. Odysseus' reliance on his wit and wiliness for survival in his encounters with divine and natural forces during his ten-year voyage home to Ithaca after the Trojan War is at once a timeless human story and an individual test of moral endurance. E. V. Rieu’s translation has long been beloved and celebrated by scholars and readers alike, and for this Penguin Classics edition, classicist D. C. H. Rieu has revised the work of his father. This edition also includes an introduction by Peter V. Jones. For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
Homer
Homer is an ancient Greek poet believed to have lived in the 8th century BC. His most notable works include the epic poems "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey," which are considered masterpieces of Western literature. Homer's writing style is known for its vivid imagery, epic themes, and complex characters. His contributions to literature include establishing the epic genre and influencing countless writers and poets throughout history. "The Odyssey" is Homer's most famous work, telling the story of Odysseus' journey home after the Trojan War. Homer's impact on literature is immeasurable, with his works continuing to be studied and admired for their timeless themes and storytelling prowess.