The Odyssey of Homer

by Alfred J. Church, John Flaxman (Illustrator)

The Odyssey is a Greek epic poem attribute to Homer, and an important literary heritage of that great heroic period.

The oddisey narrates the ten years advebtures of Ulysses during his return journey from Troy to his own kingdom, the island of Ithaca

Genres: Classics

186 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1961

About the author

Alfred John Church (1829-1912) was an English classical scholar. He was born in London and was educated at King's College London, and Lincoln College, Oxford, he took holy orders and was an assistant-master at Merchant Taylors' School for many years. From 1880 until 1888 he was professor of Latin at University College, London. While at University College in partnership with William Jackson Brodribb, he translated Tacitus and edited Pliny's Letters (Epistulae). Church also wrote a number of stories in English re-telling of classical tales and legends for young people (Stories from Virgil, Stories from Homer, etc. ). He also wrote much Latin and English verse, and in 1908 published his Memories of Men and Books. Other works include: Stories of the Magicians (1887), The Count of the Saxon Shore; or, The Villa in Vectis (with Ruth Putnam) (1888), Heroes of Chivalry and Romance (1898), Stories of Charlemagne (1902), The Crown of Pine (1906) and With the King at Oxford (1909).

Reviews

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though simplified for children, this is not dumbed-down. Church, an English classical scholar (1829-1912), leaves in all the main details of Homer's Odyssey and uses beautiful language (comparable to King James English.)

Charles Lamb's version (Adventures of Ulysses) is similar, but probably more kid-friendly.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An abridged version written for children. A good way to get the gist of a long complicated classic!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure if this is the same book I read, my kindle app calls it The story of the odyssey, but credits the author as homer and church as the translator, this was the only thing that seemed to have a similar # of pages and lists church as the author so I'm pretty sure it's right. Anywho I've read the odyssey before, and am obsessed with Greek mythology so I stumbled upon this brief enjoyable version of the story and decided to give it a go. It was good.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 year old loved it

"the best book I've ever read!" rowan, 6 years
I liked all the mythical creatures. Some of the words were tricky to understand, but the pictures were good and the story was exciting. I am now going to read the Illiad!

[Marilou Carandang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for YA

This version is good summer reading for young adults. I made it interesting by letting my grandson watch the movie after reading the book.