The hero of the tale which I beg the Muse to help me write the review of is that resourceful man who roamed the wide world after he had sacked the holy citadel of Troy.

I’ve made some posts on characters and the iffy parts. So this review will focus mainly on the translation and the story’s premise/execution as a whole.

I used the CAWPILE method on this. But instead of Logic I used Translation, as it would be unfair to impose logic (modern forward, let’s be honest) on a bronze age mythology story. I’ll breakdown each.

Character. This has pretty good characterization considering how old it is. Odysseus and Penelope were definitely the best ones (I’ve gone at length about Penelope and briefly touched on Odysseus’ characters on forum posts).

Telemachus was alright. I feel like his characterization was marred by Athena’s constant involvement. Everybody kept saying that he spoke just like his father but I wasn’t seeing it. He was borderline manic with the way his personality changed in minutes.

Side-characters were… there. I liked Helen and Menelaus but that’s about it.

Atmosphere. There’s not much to say other than I liked it. You won’t forget that it’s bronze age with the constant mention bronze gears and spears. It isn’t for everybody. Also, I cannot critic this setting in any way when it’s literally a country’s culture.

Writingstyle. Instead of writingstyle, let’s just change this to style. The epic is set into three parts. Telemachy, which is present before Odysseus reaches home. Apologoi, which is Odysseus recollecting his entire journey to the Phaeacians. Then, Suitors, which is present, when Odysseus reaches home.

The last section way really, really drawn out. It had the most iffiest and outdated parts, but also the most modern-aligned parts.

The whole story is replete with repetition just like The Iliad (just wayy more tolerable). Two constant repetitions:

1. Penelope says something to the suitors, Telemachus says that it’s not a woman’s matter to worry about (whatever it may be), and to go work at her spindle. Penelope gets shocked at her son’s personality change and leaves.
2. Penelope goes to her bed and cries (she cries a lot), Athena then closes her eyes and she goes to sleep. These repeat so many times that it’s borderline annoying.

Plot. Brilliant. No notes. This wouldn’t have worked if a modern writer wrote it. The fact that it is from so far back is what makes it so good.

Intrigue. Again, depends on the person. It managed to hold my attention, but for a lot of people this will be slog.

Enjoyment. I enjoyed this more than I thought. Enough to make multiple, long, and convoluted posts. Just a man trying to get home as soon as possible.

Translation. E. V. Rieu’s translation. It was decent. The Polyphemus joke was not translated. And the part where Eurycleia calls the maid “bitches”– I’m not sure if that’s translation or the Greek. But I’ll venture a guess and assume it’s translation. Also, this is somewhat old and the translation and is done by a british guy, so there are british slangs.

Also, I understand the need to not condescend your reader by translating everything in a very very simple and accessible way for a modern audience. But I’m not sure most people will look at the word “orgies” and know what it actually means in context of the ancient text.

”[…] although I must and do put with the sight of your orgies, the slaughtered sheep, the wine and bread consumed, […] I do ask you to refrain from these outrages,” (Book 20)

This sounds insane. Most people don’t know that orgia is a ritual of unrestrained dances, drinking, and sacrificing animals in the name of god. For Dionysus.

It’s alright otherwise. But I can see how it won’t work for everybody.

PS Argus mention, I can’t believe I forgot.

Bottomline: Pretty good, or subpar depending on the translation. Research the translations before you read.