Name: The Odyssey
ISBN: 9781402731556

Tim Mucci

A graphic novel adaptation of Homer's epic poem in which Odysseus struggles to make his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan War.

The Odyssey

Sarah Sammis

My first introduction to The Odyssey by Homer was from excerpts we read in high school. I took a Greco-Roman classic literature course in college and got a chance to read the epic in its entirety. Thus began my love affair with Homer. I've lost track now of how many times I've re-read The Odyssey or how many retellings I've either seen or read.

I can of course name a few favorite retellings: The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson #2) by Rick Riordan, Ulysses by James Joyce and the Coen brothers' film Oh Brother Where Art Thou?

For the 2010 Cybils, there were two graphic novel versions of The Odyssey that made it to the long list. I chose to read Tim Mucci's adaptation for All-Action Classics because I liked the cover. I am still planning to read Gareth Hinds's adaptation.

For tweens looking to dip their toes into the classics, the All-Action Classics version is colorful and dynamic. The different characters with the potentially difficult names are drawn distinctly, often times with separate color themes to keep them apart.

Odysseus's long journey home with misadventures with monsters, gods, warriors and suitors lends itself to the graphic novel format. I hope it will get them interested in reading the original. At least it will help give them a foundation of some basic knowledge when reading or watching other adaptations.

Nicole Sonja

The art was beautiful! I thought it suited the story well. Now all I need to do is actually read the actual Odyssey. This has certainly made me excited to do exactly that.

The Odyssey

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